Steel Shot Size - What Do You Use

[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.