Lets Talk 12 Gauge Ballistics

[RJW]

This will not make many points here

" If you are like me and most considerate hunters,,, you will shoot some birds 35 and 45 once in a while all the way to 50 yards on your third shot.  Reality on most days. "

Self control and the fact that I don't NEED to kill every duck that gets close to me make it possible for me to not take those kind of shots.  By the way, I have 10 years on you both in age and hunting time.  Come back when you're not so green 

[lokidog]

This will not make many points here

" If you are like me and most considerate hunters,,, you will shoot some birds 35 and 45 once in a while all the way to 50 yards on your third shot.  Reality on most days. "

Self control and the fact that I don't NEED to kill every duck that gets close to me make it possible for me to not take those kind of shots.  By the way, I have 10 years on you both in age and hunting time.  Come back when you're not so green 

I do understand his point a little about sometimes taking a longer shot on a bird that you might have not hit solidly in closer. I will often have a larger sized pellet shell as my third round for those situations.

[RJW]

And that's fine. But  you don't need the "good stuff" in 3 1/2 as your only ammo and that's what he is saying. And now he is also saying you are not a   "considerate hunter" unless you do. And I call BS on that statement.

I could say a considerate hunter never tries for a triple because you don't have a back up if you do.  But some would call that BS also. He is painting with a pretty wide righteous brush there.

[lokidog]

And that's fine. But  you don't need the "good stuff" in 3 1/2 as your only ammo and that's what he is saying. And now he is also saying you are not a   "considerate hunter" unless you do. And I call BS on that statement.

I could say a considerate hunter never tries for a triple because you don't have a back up if you do.  But some would call that BS also. He is painting with a pretty wide righteous brush there.

I agree, notice I was the first to call him on this.   However, I can cram another couple rounds into my gun pretty quickly and have a few triples, quadruples and even a couple of fivers under my belt. The fivers were Mergansers swimming through the decoys. 

[WSU]

There's nothing wrong with killing ducks at 40 yards.  Some folks make it sound like a sin.  Modern shells (I shoot 3" shells) will consistently kill ducks stone cold dead at 40+ yards.  I certainly like shooting them at 10 feet and shooting them 2 feet off the water is certainly the goal, but I also kill plenty at 40+ yards. 

I'm not sure why some have to act holier than thou towards people that don't refuse shots past 30 yards. 

[lokidog]

There's nothing wrong with killing ducks at 40 yards.  Some folks make it sound like a sin.  Modern shells (I shoot 3" shells) will consistently kill ducks stone cold dead at 40+ yards.  I certainly like shooting them at 10 feet and shooting them 2 feet off the water is certainly the goal, but I also kill plenty at 40+ yards. 

I'm not sure why some have to act holier than thou towards people that don't refuse shots past 30 yards.

Nothing wrong with it, if you can do it. Most people (these being the couple times a month hunters) will not shoot clay pigeons with shells costing a buck each for practice, therefore, most people will not be able to effectively kill birds past 30-35 yards.  To imply that all it takes is bigger and more expensive pellets does no service to the ducks.   

[RJW]

I shoot at 40 also.  I just don't agree with the need for 3 1/2 inch shells like he states. I do try to get them closer before I start, but that's just me.

[RJW]

But I don't hold with this do what I do and use what I use or you're not a "considerate hunter" crap. Comments like that tend to change the whole complexion of a conversation with me. 

[CP]

I shoot what's on sale.  I don't like spending more than $8/box of 25.

[Ridinshotgun]

3" #2's Kent fast steel work great.

[fethrduster]

I'll chime in.  I too have been duck hunting since the 80's.  There's such a thing as the law of diminishing returns when it comes to shotshells.  Shotguns actually pattern best and are most efficient with lighter loads, not heavier ones.  I shoot ducks and geese with 2.5" and 2.75" handloads of ITX or Bismuth 4's or 2's  in steel and short chambered damascus guns, and my last goose hunt, I got 4 snows with 6 shots, over decoys, while the guys I was hunting with were banging away with their 3.5" howitzers and shot more than I did before they got their limits.  Just thought you'd like to hear a different perspective.   

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I’ve tried all sorts of different shells.  I hunt both private and public.  I prefer a long range after market choke and 3.5” #2 black cloud.

Say what you will.  Maybe it’s mental. But I’ve tried to switch into cheaper shells, (and other expensive shells) and they’ve underwhelmed time and time again. 

The one thing I like with the LR choke is I either kill em or I miss em! 😂 that pattern is tight at 20 yards 😂😂

The Remington Hyper Sonics also seemed to shoot really well and hammer hard out of my gun.



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[EWUeagles]

There's nothing wrong with killing ducks at 40 yards.  Some folks make it sound like a sin.  Modern shells (I shoot 3" shells) will consistently kill ducks stone cold dead at 40+ yards.  I certainly like shooting them at 10 feet and shooting them 2 feet off the water is certainly the goal, but I also kill plenty at 40+ yards. 

I'm not sure why some have to act holier than thou towards people that don't refuse shots past 30 yards.

Agreed nothing wrong with shooting them at 40 yards but I always try to get them closer. Especially when there's a good group. If you raise up and the first bird is at 40 yards, then each shot will be farther and truly the last shot will be out of range. I gave the OP crap about shooting at 40-50 yards because he "humbled" bragged about managing duck club. If I got to hunt private land 70-100 days a year no way am I ever taking a shot at 40 yards or farther.

The OP was just off based and almost promoted sky blasting(I consider this when your first shot is 60 yards or more). He also made it sound like to kill birds you needed to shoot 3.5" shells and stuff that are 30 bucks a box. I'll say it again my brother in law shoots 2 3/4" 4 shot xperts at geese and I have never seen him not out shoot everyone in the group. I'm not that confident in myself so I prefer 3" BB shot for geese and 2 or 3 shot for ducks.

[Special T]

I would say that MOST waterfowlers dont practice as much in the off season as they should. just shooting once a month would greatly increase ones ability to devastate at that 35-40 yard range. im not one of these folks but i know a few that would have no trouble limiting inside of a 15 shot shell limit shooting at that 40 yard range.

[ian_padron]

This post is funny.

I only shoot el cheapo Winchester SuperX.

I shoot 2.75" #3s out of my 12 gauge and it stones birds dead out to 40 yds.

#4s out of my 20 gauge do the same.

It's the Indian, not the arrow

Get a good aftermarket choke, pattern your gun, and go smoke some birds.

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