Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: mallard79 on September 30, 2011, 11:28:40 PM

Title: 20 guage duck load
Post by: mallard79 on September 30, 2011, 11:28:40 PM

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?

Title: Re: 20 guage duck load
Post by: jordano on October 01, 2011, 12:59:59 AM

Quote from: mallard79 on September 30, 2011, 11:28:40 PM

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.

Title: Re: 20 guage duck load
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 01, 2011, 08:16:22 AM

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.

Title: Re: 20 guage duck load
Post by: AWS on October 02, 2011, 05:40:47 AM

Yes that ^

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

AWS

Title: Re: 20 guage duck load
Post by: mallard79 on October 02, 2011, 03:52:43 PM

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.