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...