shot size for ducks

[PA BEN]

I started duck hunting in '89. I shot hand load lead 2 3/4",  #5 shot, I shot lots of doubles and triples jump shooting. After steel came along I tried them all, I mostly shoot 3" #4's, mostly jump shooting with good results. Will after 8 years of not duck hunting I hunted over decoys several times this season. I notices I was missing a lot of birds and the ones I did hit were all shot up. I shoot an improved cylinder choke, w/3" 1 1/8 oz, #4's at 1550 fps, steel doesn't open up like lead so I did a switch up and the next time I hunted over decoys I used 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz, #4's at 1375 fps.  First round 3 shots 3 dead birds, next round was a jump shoot, 3 shots 3 dead birds. Pass shooting and long shots w/3" I believe your shot has time to open up, but for me, 2 3/4", 1 1/8 oz, #4's up to 35yds is what I'm using now. BTW, these two triples I got were fat, heavy feathered late season northern Mallards.   

[whitey]

BB's   
Go Big or stay home.
I also like to hit them with My extra-full choke. It takes the quack right out of em.

[rasbo]

4s

[Cougar125]

If you can't kill it with #4s, it's too far.  That's just my opinion.  With that said, I shoot #4s for ALL ducks and I shoot BB for geese.

[PA BEN]

 

If you can't kill it with #4s, it's too far.  That's just my opinion.  With that said, I shoot #4s for ALL ducks and I shoot BB for geese.

[LeftCoastLoren]

Pattern first!

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[goody31]

I use #3's early season and #1's late season for puddle ducks.  I use #1's and BB for seaducks.

So I found I have a box of 1s and another of 4s.  Guess they will both work.  So for more distance and perhaps geese, I should use the 1s, and for birds coming in close to the decoys, the 4s would be good.   Is that the right way to look at this?

That's the way I would use them. Unless the geese are on top of you. Early season I did get a goose with 3's.

[lokidog]

I use #3's early season and #1's late season for puddle ducks.  I use #1's and BB for seaducks.

So I found I have a box of 1s and another of 4s.  Guess they will both work.  So for more distance and perhaps geese, I should use the 1s, and for birds coming in close to the decoys, the 4s would be good.   Is that the right way to look at this?

That's the way I would use them. Unless the geese are on top of you. Early season I did get a goose with 3's.

7 of my 9 geese this year were with black cloud 3's as recent as last week.  Growing up in WI, we never used anything bigger than #1's (steel).     Of course, we weren't taking 50+ yard shots either.

[Ducknut97]

I shoot 3" no. 2s the majority of the time but when I can find them, I like no. 3s for ducks over decoys.

[irishevox]

i just get the ones with the picture of the duck or goose on it

[mburrows]

Early season I roll with the #4 shot because the ducks are smaller typically. When the northerns roll in I bust out the #2 or #BB depending on the area.

[acnewman55]

4s for ducks
3" 2s and BBs for geese

[Tealer]

I only use T shot, only in 3 1/2".

[CP]

I only use T shot, only in 3 1/2".

   That's a respectable teal load.  at least 1750 fps -

[Tealer]

I only use T shot, only in 3 1/2".

   That's a respectable teal load.  at least 1750 fps -

I only shoot hypersonic.