20 guage duck load

[mallard79]

This will be my sons first season duck junting. I am wondering what loads work best for a 20guage. Not sure wether to go for smaller shot for the denser pattern or bigger shot for a little more energy....assuming they both pattern well. What have you experienced?

[jordano]

This will be my sons first season duck junting. I am wondering what loads work best for a 20guage. Not sure wether to go for smaller shot for the denser pattern or bigger shot for a little more energy....assuming they both pattern well. What have you experienced?

I would go with a 3 that is really fast... probably your best bet.. but if you want to get blackcloud or hevi metal... you could go to 4's... but Kent fasteel 3's @ 1560 fps would be a great load for him.

[h2ofowlr]

I have two cases of the Hevi-metal 3" # 2 shot for the 20 gauge.  It works very well.  I would look at 3" #2, 3's. If you are decoying close # 4 will work great as well.  If you will be out past 35 yards think about slightly larger shot to take the bird down.

[AWS]

Yes that ^

I use a #4 Blackcloud for the first shot and follow up with a Kent #3 for hunting over decoys.

AWS

[mallard79]

Thanks guys. I will be picking up a few boxes of ammo and patterning them then buying at least a case of whatever patterns best.