Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Donaye37 on April 11, 2013, 12:26:31 PM


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Title: ammo question
Post by: Donaye37 on April 11, 2013, 12:26:31 PM
With ammo going crazy right now, really wanting to get exactly what I need. What 12ga shell would be best for rabbit and squirrel,  I know I need low base shells, but just curious what other people use?
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: CP on April 11, 2013, 12:31:02 PM
Any cheap 1oz or 1 1/8 oz load of  #7 1/2 will work fine.
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: WSU on April 11, 2013, 12:34:11 PM
Or #6.
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: bobcat on April 11, 2013, 12:43:53 PM
I'd go with 1 1/8 ounce loads of number 6 shot, and I wouldn't go cheap, unless you want to limit your effectiveness at longer distances. The more expensive, higher quality loads, usually have higher quality shot that will give you better patterns. For shooting clay pigeons I'd buy the cheap stuff, but for hunting get the best you can afford.
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: 300rum on April 11, 2013, 01:00:13 PM
6's work best.  They tend to go right through them where 8's and 7 1/2's stay inside the carcass.  I like 6's for this reason.
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: Donaye37 on April 11, 2013, 01:41:43 PM
Awesome, has anyone tried number four shot?
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: CP on April 11, 2013, 01:56:22 PM
Awesome, has anyone tried number four shot?

4s will work too but keep in mind that as shot size goes up, the load weight needs to increase to keep pattern density.  So you won’t find many #4 loadings with less than 1 1/4 oz of shot.  That’s more recoil and expense than you need.  Really it doesn’t take much of a 12g load to be effective on rabbits and squirrels.   
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: HighlandLofts on April 21, 2013, 07:39:20 PM
All of the small game I hunted I shot with high base #6 shot or # 5 shot. Dove hunting would be the only thing I'd consider to use low base shotgun shells on. Most small game hunting I used a modified choke shotgun. For squirrels I like to use a 22 magnum or a 17HMR.
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: Bean Counter on April 21, 2013, 08:04:33 PM
I'd go with 1 1/8 ounce loads of number 6 shot, and I wouldn't go cheap, unless you want to limit your effectiveness at longer distances. The more expensive, higher quality loads, usually have higher quality shot that will give you better patterns. For shooting clay pigeons I'd buy the cheap stuff, but for hunting get the best you can afford.

I've always wondered that... All I've ever bought for birdshot is the bottom shelf cheap lead stuff. Plenty of times I've   :bash: when trying to shoot stuff at even a moderate distance.
Title: Shot shells
Post by: LEN on April 22, 2013, 07:29:06 AM
Terms:
High and low brass = High brass usually high power load-----Low brass= target or small game lower power and lower shot load
High and low base = High and low base wadd= how much room in the case ---High base wadd= target or low power load--- Low base wadd high power and large shot charge.
In realality the low base and low brass can be loaded as hot as any high brass low base, just looks good to have the high brass.
LEN
Title: Re: Shot shells
Post by: CP on April 22, 2013, 07:50:05 AM
Terms:
High and low brass = High brass usually high power load-----Low brass= target or small game lower power and lower shot load
High and low base = High and low base wadd= how much room in the case ---High base wadd= target or low power load--- Low base wadd high power and large shot charge.
In realality the low base and low brass can be loaded as hot as any high brass low base, just looks good to have the high brass.
LEN
:yeah:

High “brass” is a holdover from paper shell days.  It was needed for hotter loads that could burn through the paper.  Plastic doesn’t need it but it remains for marketing purposes. 
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: BiggLuke on May 07, 2013, 01:22:28 PM
Cheap trap loads are perfect. Besides, when you miss 5 or 6 times before hitting your target, it doesn't seem as bad when they are just #8 trap loads.
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: dinker on May 13, 2013, 12:50:45 PM
i was told it was illegal to hunt squirrel in WA state. what are the seasons and what type ca be hunted?
 :dunno:
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: huntingfool7 on May 13, 2013, 03:15:23 PM
I'd go with 1 1/8 ounce loads of number 6 shot, and I wouldn't go cheap, unless you want to limit your effectiveness at longer distances. The more expensive, higher quality loads, usually have higher quality shot that will give you better patterns. For shooting clay pigeons I'd buy the cheap stuff, but for hunting get the best you can afford.

I've always wondered that... All I've ever bought for birdshot is the bottom shelf cheap lead stuff. Plenty of times I've   :bash: when trying to shoot stuff at even a moderate distance.

High end shot has higher antimony (5%).  Tin and nickel (costs more) added to lead makes harder pellets that will deform less.  Thus they fly straight and stay in the pattern.
Buy the good stuff for hunting or anything with money on it.  Slip those Eono shells in your buddies bag and wager him on a round of long range trap.
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: BiggLuke on May 14, 2013, 08:54:57 AM
i was told it was illegal to hunt squirrel in WA state. what are the seasons and what type ca be hunted?
 :dunno:

Well yes... It is illegal to hunt squirrels in washington.
The reason there are no squirrel hunting seasons in washington is because of how many different native species we have. Most of them are on the protected species list.
So, even though it's ok to kill Eastern Grey squirrels (which are non-native invasive species) they can be hard to differntiate between Western Grey squirrels, which are protected.

Plus, why would you even want to hunt squirrels in washington?
Most of the species around here... like Douglas Squirrels or Red Squirrels, are tiny. You'd have to shoot about 10 just to make a meal out of them.

Well, at least this is the offical reason I was given directly from the WDFW Olympia Office, after I asked the same question to them.
Title: Re: ammo question
Post by: dinker on May 14, 2013, 12:20:58 PM
i was told it was illegal to hunt squirrel in WA state. what are the seasons and what type ca be hunted?
 :dunno:

Well yes... It is illegal to hunt squirrels in washington.
The reason there are no squirrel hunting seasons in washington is because of how many different native species we have. Most of them are on the protected species list.
So, even though it's ok to kill Eastern Grey squirrels (which are non-native invasive species) they can be hard to differntiate between Western Grey squirrels, which are protected.

Plus, why would you even want to hunt squirrels in washington?
Most of the species around here... like Douglas Squirrels or Red Squirrels, are tiny. You'd have to shoot about 10 just to make a meal out of them.

Well, at least this is the offical reason I was given directly from the WDFW Olympia Office, after I asked the same question to them.

okay well that helps haha thanks  :chuckle:
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