2 3/4 shells, what # shot for Ducks?

[cowboycraig]

Enjoying getting into Duck hunting. My shotgun is an older JC Higgins from the 50's. Only shoots 2 3/4.

Have been using #2 Kent steel with full choke at 65 yards (it has an agustable dial choke) and just don't feel it is hitting birds very well. I do ok at the trap range with it.

And tips? Should I be using #6 maybe?

Getting a newer shotgun for next season, but stuck with what I have for now. Is 2 3/4 a valid shel for duck hunting? Maybe was back in the lead days?

The cool agustable choke is what really makes the old shotgun cool

Thanks!
Craig


Thanks!
Craig

[wadu1]

Try a box of #4 shot, that's my go to size for 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 on ducks and small geese.

[duckmen1]

2-4 shot on ducks is best. 2 3/4inch shells are just fine but 65 yards is a bit far. I think 45 yards tops is best. Kent shells are good shells.
Even shooting 3.5in shells I don't like shooting over 45-50 yards.
I personally would be shooting 4 shot for my first shell  and 3 shot for my follow up shots when using 2 3/4" to get the shot amount and lethal power in the given range I said.

[Brad Harshman]

65 YARDS!!!   I strongly encourage you to not shoot past 40yds.  The sport is not about long shots.  It's about fooling the birds and getting them to commit.  There isn't a prettier sight than seeing wings cupped and feet down.

Get birds close, than smack them with 2 or 4 steel shot.
I persorally shoot 3" #2 shot.  If I only had 2.75" I'm sure I'd shoot #2 steel as well.  If you have the extra cash try out the non-toxic (steel) alternatives.  You may find you don't need a new shotgun at all. 

[cowboycraig]

65 YARDS!!!   I strongly encourage you to not shoot past 40yds.  The sport is not about long shots.  It's about fooling the birds and getting them to commit.  There isn't a prettier sight than seeing wings cupped and feet down.

Get birds close, than smack them with 2 or 4 steel shot.
I persorally shoot 3" #2 shot.  If I only had 2.75" I'm sure I'd shoot #2 steel as well.  If you have the extra cash try out the non-toxic (steel) alternatives.  You may find you don't need a new shotgun at all.

Thanks! Think I will open my choke up some and grab some #3 and #4.

Going to get some HEVI-shot if I can find or order it online before season is over.

[HuntinCrazy]

Your shells are just fine but #3's will give you more pellets in the air.
 
 You say your shotgun has a veritable choke, ...........I would use the modified setting ( which gives you a full choke with steel shot) and limit your shots to 45yds or less. You may damage the barrel or choke with the choke set on full. Mod or IC is recommended


Good luck, hope this helps

[lokidog]

2-4 shot on ducks is best. 2 3/4inch shells are just fine but 65 yards is a bit far. I think 45 yards tops is best. Kent shells are good shells.
Even shooting 3.5in shells I don't like shooting over 45-50 yards.
I personally would be shooting 4 shot for my first shell  and 3 shot for my follow up shots when using 2 3/4" to get the shot amount and lethal power in the given range I said.

   For puddle ducks and small divers.   I like a #3 backed up by 2's for the open water divers and sea ducks.
 
And agree that 65 yards is way too far.   I have an old JC Higgins poly choke as well, bolt action though.  It's a fun gun to duck hunt with.

[zike]

I'd be curious to see a picture of the pattern you were getting at 65 yards. Tack up a piece of paper 40" x 40", draw a 30" circle on it and step back 65 yards. Count the pellet holes in the circle, 100 pellets evenly spaced is a good pattern. If they are all clumped up, thats not good. Please post a picture of you're pattern. Try the same thing at 40 yards. Shotguns are funny, to get a good even pattern you may have to try different chokes, shells and shot size. Good luck.

[nickhunter9]

All I shoot is 2 3/4 #4s Kents with extra full choke aka no choke

[jackelope]

All I shoot is 2 3/4 #4s Kents with extra full choke aka no choke

Extra full would be almost completely opposite from no choke.

[Cougar125]

My go to is Winchester XPert, 2 3/4", #4 shells.

[coachcw]

40 YARDS AND IN #2 OR BB . CHECK YOUR PATTERN ! OLD GUN MAY SPRAY.

[boneaddict]

2-4 shot on ducks is best. 2 3/4inch shells are just fine but 65 yards is a bit far. I think 45 yards tops is best. Kent shells are good shells.
Even shooting 3.5in shells I don't like shooting over 45-50 yards.
I personally would be shooting 4 shot for my first shell  and 3 shot for my follow up shots when using 2 3/4" to get the shot amount and lethal power in the given range I said.

 

[boneaddict]

I might try bismuth instead of steel. 

[Skillet]

All I shoot is 2 3/4 #4s Kents with extra full choke aka no choke

Extra full would be almost completely opposite from no choke.

I think he meant you won't choke on the shot if you have an extra full choke 

Both of my shotguns are 2-3/4" guns, and both have killed a lot of ducks and geese with steel over the years I waterfowled.  One is I/C and one is Mod.  This is basically what we arrived at for our "standard" shot sizes.

Decoy ducks, #4
Decoy duck/goose combo, #2
Field hunting geese (over dekes), #2
Pass shooting ducks, #2
Pass shooting geese, don't do it.

Decoy shots were usually fully committed birds, 30-35 yards max. If it was really windy and birds aren't coming in, might move up a size.

Towards the end, I was playing around with Bismuth shot on field geese.  I felt like it would drop them like Thor's hammer at the outer edges of range (50 yards or so) over steel.  But very expensive for a guy like me at the time...

 

[HuntinCrazy]

All I shoot is 2 3/4 #4s Kents with extra full choke aka no choke

Extra full would be almost completely opposite from no choke.

 

[BigGoonTuna]

i shoot mostly #2s in 2 3/4", as i picked up a couple cases of nitro steel a year or so ago for cheap.  i use an I/C or modified choke most of the time.

[beninchelan]

I prefer 2 3/4" shells and buy the cheapest shells I can find,

 your problem is that 65 yards is too far I that's  more pass shooting, than traditional duck hunting.  focus on your hunting and shooting,  to get em feet down into the decoys, keep em under 40 yards & 2 3/4" shells will fold em dead, if you do your part.


 we don't let anyone we take out shoot anything more than 3" shells, that old gun & poly choke will do the trick, pattern the gun with different shells & choke/shell combinations find out what she likes.

[Hunting7mm]

I prefer 3" #4 reloads going 1650 fps.  I just reloaded 100 shells last night.  I know your looking at 2 3/4 but 3" seems to be my best duck load.

[nickhunter9]

*also no choke

[Blacktail135]

 Number #1: 65 YARDS? ARE YOU PUSHING OUR LEGS? You're not one of those are you? If so, then we need to rein you in a bit. 20-30 yards used to be about the norm but in the last few years the distance (reach?) has been increasing (probably due to competition (my straps bigger than your strap thing) and lack of proper tutoring). I know some may say 10 yards with #6 shot and some will say 80 yards with F shot but, those are extremes. I personally use 3" #4 and most shots are around 20 yards. If I had to say what is the most common duck hunting cartridge I'd say a 3" #2 steel (hopefully used inside of 40 yards).
 Number #2: Will that adjustible choke even shoot steel without damaging it? I really do not know. I've never shot steel shot through a gun designed to shoot lead shot. It may shoot it but, will it cause damage? Happy hunting.

[lokidog]

Your shells are just fine but #3's will give you more pellets in the air.
 
 You say your shotgun has a veritable choke, ...........I would use the modified setting ( which gives you a full choke with steel shot) and limit your shots to 45yds or less. You may damage the barrel or choke with the choke set on full. Mod or IC is recommended


Good luck, hope this helps

I shot steel out of a full choke 1963 rem 870 Wingmaster for almost twenty years, not a bit of damage to the barrel.  Just test out your choke adjustments until you get a pattern you are happy with at the range you are comfortable shooting.  I do like #3 for the pellet count versus energy downrange for most shooting conditions.

[sakoshooter]

Those Poly Chokes pattern fantastic. And they'll shoot steel shot just fine. Like mentioned above, pattern it by testing it from open to tight and back again and settle on a couple settings. One more open for early morning close shots for example and a slightly tighter setting for longer shots for decoys shy birds in the middle of the day etc. Have fun and good luck.

[wildweeds]

I don't think he is shooting 65 yards, if you look at the poly gizmo on the end  in his picture ,there is markings of choke constriction AND below them(toward the  is a distance marking.What I get from his post is that he has it set on "Full" and "65 yards". If in fact he is shooting 65 yards I'd think hiding better,calling less and waiting until the landing gear is DOWN would be a better plan for success.

[cowboycraig]

Was using the 65 yard setting on choke, but was shooting much closer (within 40 yards most of the time if not 30).

THANKS! for all the endless amazing information. I am heading out again with #2 Heavy Metal http://www.hevishot.com/catalog/hevi-metal/ I like that it is a hybrid and not so $$$
and a bunch of regular steel #3.

That is what I could find around town. Will see how it works.

Have been to the trap range and dialing back my choke has made a big difference (and maybe treating the choke better). Want to check the shot spread with different mixes but not sure when I will make it out to public land to do that. Be nice if shotgun ranges had a spot for that.

My JC. Higgins was made in 1954 or so and don't want to kill it.

THANKS!
Craig