Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: stevemiller on July 15, 2013, 09:07:11 PM

Title: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: stevemiller on July 15, 2013, 09:07:11 PM
I did take the time to look through about 10 pages of the duck threads to see if it has allready been asked,as i am sure it has.anyone have any recomendations for non toxic ammo in 12 ga. 3in. or 3.5in.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: Fishnclifff on July 15, 2013, 09:17:36 PM
3in # 1 or 2 shot is all you need.
I shoot Kents.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: CedarPants on July 15, 2013, 09:20:10 PM
I've used Kent as well and have no complaints
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: Mfowl on July 15, 2013, 09:20:49 PM
+1 on the Kent shells. I shoot 1s, 2s and BBs all season. Ducks and geese. Good shell, good price.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: Special T on July 16, 2013, 07:38:15 AM
Kent 3in #3
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 16, 2013, 07:54:04 AM
I shoot Black Cloud BBs and it knocks them down for cheap. About $20 for 25 and since I've been using them, I limit out in around 10 shells. They get a little dirty, but I've never had a problem with that in the field. I shoot an 1187 semi with a 28" barrel, improved cylinder.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: X-Force on July 16, 2013, 08:23:47 AM
Kent shoot about as good as anything... its all about price and how much you shoot after them imo.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: jennyfell55 on July 16, 2013, 02:01:13 PM
Kent Fasteel 3" #2 here! I bump up to 3" BB if I'm expecting geese. As long as I do my part (don't miss  :chuckle:) they knock birds down nicely  :tup:
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: vandeman17 on July 16, 2013, 02:04:54 PM
Another vote for kent but I would say if you are going to do a lot of hunting to try a few different options and pattern them. I found that Kents actually pattern the best out of my setup and it doesn't hurt that they are cheap.  :tup:
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: jennyfell55 on July 16, 2013, 11:10:36 PM
I personally would set up several boards and pattern at different ranges so you know exactly what your chosen load is doing at different distances. What's great at 30 yards may be horrible at 20
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: vandeman17 on July 17, 2013, 09:21:03 AM
Another vote for kent but I would say if you are going to do a lot of hunting to try a few different options and pattern them. I found that Kents actually pattern the best out of my setup and it doesn't hurt that they are cheap.  :tup:
Very good point sir.im using the factory bennelli choke,i will buy a few boxes and pattern it.How far would you set up your shot for a good pattern idea?

I patterned mine at about 30 yards. I was pretty surprised when Kent patterned the best out of my setup but was happy because almost every place sells them and they aren't too spendy.  :tup:
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: WSU on July 17, 2013, 09:44:13 AM
Kent works fine.  So does winchester expert and can be bought cheaper.  Go to rogerssportinggoods.com and buy a case of whatever patterns best out of your gun.  I wait for a sale and then buy a case or 3. 

Last year I bought a case of federal premiums for less per box than what you pay for kents at the store.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: BigGoonTuna on July 27, 2013, 09:25:52 AM
i've had really lousy luck with the xperts.  cut open a shell, you won't be too impressed...the shot looks like welding slag, and the size isn't anywhere near consistent.  if they pattern OK out of your gun, it's probably OK, but i like to stick with federals or kents.
Title: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: tr122 on July 27, 2013, 09:39:54 AM
I tried out black cloud for a season and I didn't like it, it shoots dirty and I knocked down less.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: WSU on July 27, 2013, 09:43:12 AM
i've had really lousy luck with the xperts.  cut open a shell, you won't be too impressed...the shot looks like welding slag, and the size isn't anywhere near consistent.  if they pattern OK out of your gun, it's probably OK, but i like to stick with federals or kents.

Interesting.  I've never looked inside one.  They seem to kill just fine for me?
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: Fishnclifff on July 27, 2013, 04:15:17 PM
i've had really lousy luck with the xperts.  cut open a shell, you won't be too impressed...the shot looks like welding slag, and the size isn't anywhere near consistent.  if they pattern OK out of your gun, it's probably OK, but i like to stick with federals or kents.

Interesting.  I've never looked inside one.  They seem to kill just fine for me?

I did the same also with Kent general purpose and Expert shells.
Expert shot not consistent size or weight for the BB's.
Kent GP LOADS, looked like the sprinkles on a cake.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: wadu1 on July 27, 2013, 05:15:39 PM
I like the Winchester Blindside; I get them at Wally World at the end of the season. Last year 3 1/2 #2 at $15 a box. But my go to shells are Kent, BB for geese, 2s for ducks and #4s for close decoying birds. And I use an IC or skeet in all my guns.  :twocents:
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: huntingfool7 on July 27, 2013, 07:39:29 PM
i've had really lousy luck with the xperts.  cut open a shell, you won't be too impressed...the shot looks like welding slag, and the size isn't anywhere near consistent.  if they pattern OK out of your gun, it's probably OK, but i like to stick with federals or kents.

I've cut open a lot of shotshells, Win. xperts are not the only steel shot out there that won't roll on a plate.

I use Kent faststeel in 2, 3 or 4's.  I've never found anything but round pellets in a Kent hull.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: crow360 on July 28, 2013, 06:35:49 PM
3 inch #2 is my main load and I will also shoot  3in BB if I know there might be geese flying around in the area. I use Winchester for my duck load and Blackcloud  3 inBB snowgoose load for when I hunt geese. Pick what works best for you and is in your price range. I try to stick with the same ammo once I find what I like it helps be keep consistant when shooting. Good look and knock am dead.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: eriecutemoutfitters on August 06, 2013, 09:22:28 PM
Hevi Metal 3" #3's for the past three years and this year Hevi Metal 3" #4s this year if I'm here.
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: jennyfell55 on August 06, 2013, 10:55:39 PM
The consensus I've seen from most people is that there's not enough added benefit to deal with the extra recoil and wear & tear on the gun
Title: Re: Suggestions for non toxic 12 ga. duck,goose ammo
Post by: vandeman17 on August 07, 2013, 11:20:15 AM
ok so now i have the brand down to a couple thanks for all the input.Now is there a reason people in general dont use the 3.5s?

I usually have a few 3.5" shells with me in case we have a group of geese coming in. I also will throw one in as my third shot if I am going to jump shoot or if I need to try and water swat something that has gotten pretty far away. I used to shoot them more often but it just punished my shoulder too much and I didn't see much better results, if any.
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