Shot size you use?

[vandeman17]

I have used dang near everything to see what I like and I have had the most luck with 3" #4 shot. I do have an extended range after market choke so that changes it a bit but I still like that combo the best.

[1morebuck]

3" #4 shot Federal UltraShok steel for mallards and 3" #2 HeviShot for Canadas.

For most all ducks go with the Hevi-Metal, 3-inch #2 shot with a factory full choke. I shoot a 12ga. 870 with its factory full choke and the Hevi-Metal combo. I have no problem with birds out to 40 yards and the Hevi-Metal will knock down a goose quite well too!

[akirkland]

Kent steel #2 for me.

[Fishnclifff]

Kent faststeel  3 in,  1 1/8 ,  #1 shot

[Widgeondeke]

3" #2 or #3 for ducks
3" BB for geese

wait wait wait, cupped & commited, take em.
I think you need to pattern and either let them get closer or change ammo. See what "your" gun prefers   

[seth30]

#2's work great on geese

[kevinp16]

Thanks for all the input. Currently my setup is 870 super mag with stock mod choke. I would guess were're shooting them at 24-45 yards out.

I had one green head come in about 40 yards and i unloaded all 3 shells on him and he flew away, only dropping a few feathers in our blind as he flew over. I think I'm going to try #2 shot next time and see how that goes.

I swear I have good aim.. Haa

[Curly]

Thanks for all the input. Currently my setup is 870 super mag with stock mod choke. I would guess were're shooting them at 24-45 yards out.

I had one green head come in about 40 yards and i unloaded all 3 shells on him and he flew away, only dropping a few feathers in our blind as he flew over. I think I'm going to try #2 shot next time and see how that goes.

I swear I have good aim.. Haa

  That is plenty of gun and shell for 24 - 45 yards.  I doubt it is the shells fault. ..

Good luck.....yeah, #2's should be great at that range........and you shouldn't need 3.5" at that range either.

[goosegetter79]

Thanks for all the input. Currently my setup is 870 super mag with stock mod choke. I would guess were're shooting them at 24-45 yards out.

I had one green head come in about 40 yards and i unloaded all 3 shells on him and he flew away, only dropping a few feathers in our blind as he flew over. I think I'm going to try #2 shot next time and see how that goes.

I swear I have good aim.. Haa

  That is plenty of gun and shell for 24 - 45 yards.  I doubt it is the shells fault. ..

Good luck.....yeah, #2's should be great at that range........and you shouldn't need 3.5" at that range either.

  3" #2's

[MP123]

Like everything else it's shot placement that counts.  Maybe those 3 1/2s are kicking the snot out of you and messing up your shots.  I'd try a lighter load and see how that works.  All it takes is a couple pellets in the right spot and you'll do the trick, no need to blast 'em with a cannon...

[270Shooter]

Doesn't matter what you shot you use, if you hit them in the ass they can keep on going.

[MP123]

A 3" BB load has about 90 pellets, a 3" #3 load has about 200.  Better chance of hitting the bird and plenty of knock down power at the ranges you're talking.

[fethrduster]

#5 Tungsten Matrix out of an old side by side.   Works just like lead and is excellent over decoys.  I hate steel.   Steel requires big shot to get hard hits, which means 3" or longer shells to get good pattern density, which means a heavy magnum gun and lots of recoil, and then when you do get shoot a bird with it, the meat has huge holes in it like it was shot with a .22.   Not a great combination.

[Stilly bay]

Extra chunky for me BB, BBB, or T ... kills em dead or immobilizes them. if Im hunting pheasants I will go down to small shot Like number 2.  :dunno:works for me, I loose few birds and fewer teeth with the larger shot sizes.

[martin1]

i like 3 inch number 3s or 4 shot. hit birds and killed them dead at 40 yards many times. but definetly dont like using bb on ducks, tears them up at any range within 35 yards !