Steel Shot Size - What Do You Use

[sakoshooter]

I'll relate an experience I had about 4 years ago. I shot Kent Fasteel #4's for a long time and they worked but I wasn't really satisfied either.
One afternoon sneaking into a duck spot while my lab quartered in front of me, I loaded my gun with 3" #4's at 1500 fps Kent Fasteel hoping my dog would put up some teal that were usually hiding in this bay.
To both of our surprise a big Canada goose jumped up at about 25 yds and since I was totally ready I hammered him in a typical jumping up and going away shot, 1st shot. The goose went down with feathers flying and my dog grabbed him right away. Cody brought me back a live goose and since it was so big and shot in the back, I figured it make a good specimen for plucking and roasting. I finished him off, tucked him behind a tree and completed the rest of my duck hunting for the afternoon.
Upon plucking that goose that night at home, I discovered that not one(1) pellet broke the skin. Not a single pellet. The skin showed about 50 small red spots like inflamed mosquito bites. I know, some of you are saying BS but I'm not exagerating. This was shot thru my Patternmaster also.
That was the deciding factor in me swiching to #2's for all duck hunting after that. No regrets since. Just wanted to share.

[chester]

Good story.

[Sneaky]

3 inch 3's are a good all around load from quail to decoying geese. good to have a pocket full and another pocket with some bigger or smaller stuff depending on what you're hunting

[General Disarray]

I kill ducks(and a few geese) with nothing but 4's and 6's in 3" 1-1/4oz loads.  I only shoot 2's when I'm guiding and having to finish off birds a little further out.

I'd venture to say that your shot on the goose was a bit more than 25 yards possibly.  then again, the back is very bony and covered with thicker feathers than the breast.

[sakoshooter]

I said the goose jumped up at about 25 yards. My reaction time probably costed 5+ yards since I was ready for something to jump up.
Also, since I switched from 4's to 2's, I hardly have any cripples compared to what I experienced with the 4's within reasonable yardages.

[jordano]

I shoot all 2's and some hevi metal 3's... they both work awesome

[chester]

i keep it simple, ducks get #2

geese get BB 

[fast60eddie]

I like the story myself. But it don't matter what I shoot the brids almost always have the last laugh. 

[ASHQUACK]

HeviMetal 3inch 2 shotfor all of em.

[wadu1]

#4 for decoying ducks #2 and BBs for everything else. This year I'm trying 3 1/2 #3 they seam to be OK. One thing I have found out slow the steel shot down it works better. I'm loading 10 gage ammo this year with 2oz of #4 and boy do they whack the smaller geese and ducks. 

[krout81]

3in #2's have never shot a goose

[CP]

I posted a similar story on the upland board, only it was about a grouse shot with #6.  Steel doesn’t penetrate very well, particularly the smaller sizes.   

That’s why some people swear by Black Cloud.  It’s dirty, doesn’t pattern very well, but it does penetrate better.  (better but nowhere near as good as lead does)

To answer your question, no smaller than #2 for ducks, & BB for geese for me.  If nothing else it’s easier to find the larger shot when cleaning the bird.

PS – The state of Minnesota did a study a few years back on the effectiveness of steel shot on pheasants.  The study found that #2 shot out performed #4 on longer shots and the #4 provided no advantage over #2 at close range.  I wish I could find the link to that report but it seems to be gone.

[h2ofowlr]

Black Cloud 3" - #3 work well.  They create pretty good wound channels and bring them down if your shooting good.  Having said that if your practiced up and shooting well, if your shooting within reason 40 yards or less #5 - BB's will work for you.  #2's are a solid round.  Back in the lead days we shot #4's at ducks.  But I like having a pellet that I can see in order to pick out of the meat.  Steel shot breaks or cracks teeth.  Everyone has there own preferance.  Once you shoot a load for a while you get used to it.  You know the lead and everything seems to drop.  When you shoot a different box each time you go out, you deal with different speeds, sizes and other factors to add a greater handicap for the non practiced shooter.
I have been killing them with 2-3/4 & 3" #2 all season.  A few boxes of #3 have also done the job.  A few weeks back I went out with about 10 different brands of 3" from BB-4's.  I loaded all 3 shells different for testing.  The only one you really knew was way different was the Remington Hypersonic #2's.  A lot hotter load and those you will need a shorter lead.
Stick to a specific load that patterns well out of your gun, practice and you should shoot well.

[Rudy]

I typically shoot 3 inch number 2's.  I bring a few BB's as well, just in case the 2's dont seem to be doing the job that day

[270Shooter]

Shot mainly 4's last year (3"). Bought a bunch of 3's this year. Cant really tell any difference, dead is dead. I still bring some 2's along and usually a few bb's, but thise usually only get used if the geese fly over too close.

[sisu]

I know it is not for everybody but reloading quality steel shot has been the biggest plus for me. My #4 3inch works great, #2 I use if I am targeting geese & even have a box of BB with if conditions warrent. The BB means less steel out there but the momentum of that load works wonders on geese.

Again reloading steel is not for all folks, but to me it is like tying flies. Fun to get a critter with something you produced. 

[D-Rock425]

I've been shooting 2's the few times I've been out this year.

[Practical Approach]

I shoot 4's 3 1/2 inch.

[WSU]

For ducks I've been shooting bb-2s this year, depending mostly on what is on sale.  All seem fine from 35 and in, and all are noticeably less lethal beyond that.

[sakoshooter]

I kill ducks(and a few geese) with nothing but 4's and 6's in 3" 1-1/4oz loads.  I only shoot 2's when I'm guiding and having to finish off birds a little further out.

I'd venture to say that your shot on the goose was a bit more than 25 yards possibly.  then again, the back is very bony and covered with thicker feathers than the breast.

    I've seen a coyote dumped with #4's, one shot at 20 yards.

My point exactly.
Geese are tough.

[sakoshooter]

#4 for decoying ducks #2 and BBs for everything else. This year I'm trying 3 1/2 #3 they seam to be OK. One thing I have found out slow the steel shot down it works better. I'm loading 10 gage ammo this year with 2oz of #4 and boy do they whack the smaller geese and ducks. 

wadu1,
I set one of my loaders for 3" steel and  using the SAM1 wad and shooting it through my Pro Chrono I was able to get some loads going over 1900 fps but couldn't control it even shooting it through a turkey choke. Slowing it down to under 1500 fps makes a huge difference in patterning and 13 - 1400 fps is even better pattern wise. It doesn't do any good to shoot hot loads if the holes in the patterns are so big you can throw a mallard thru em.

[boots]

3" #2s for me.

Canadas are tough birds. Ive had to shoot some geese twice even after a solid first hit. Their feathers can act like body armor

[bobcat]

For geese, BB or BBB and for ducks, #2's. I've used 3's and 4's but really see no reason to go smaller than #2's for anything. And BB's are a good all around size if you're shooting both ducks and geese at the same time.

Oh, and I don't see the need for 3 1/2 inch shells in most situations. If you're only hunting "big" geese then it would be justified. But for me I don't have that option anyway as all my shotguns only have a 3 inch chamber.

[Ratdog68]

My gun is a 2 3/4 chamber... we were using #3 (Federal as I recall).  My Golden Eye was about 25-30yds when I popped it, it rolled belly up and splashed in the pond... Christmas was cancelled.  My buddy was surprised, given how tough those little fellers are.  But, then... the head shot definately helped to seal that deal.  My little teal was about the same distance, and had JUST tucked it's wings after landing infront of me.  A wring of the neck finished the last of the twitching he had left in him. 

My buddy was shooting a Baretta auto-loader (same loads).  His drake Mallard was dead before he splashed down ('bout 30yds), the hen splashed, but righted and was trying to escape the dog and needed to be finished with a neck wringing.  They were paired as they were cupped and dropping in, he tagged her first.  The Mergansers needed a neck wringing to finish 'em off too.