I'm looking to see what kind of ammo guys most commonly use to waterfowl hunt. Gauge, shell length, steel vs the alternatives.

 

Any info is helpful.

 

Thanks

I have not hunted waterfowl in a long time but when I did I used #4 steel on both ducks and and geese after the lead ban.  Before that I used #4 lead on geese and #6 on ducks.  I never took long shots, always set up my deeks right and brought them in with the call.  I started out with a Stevens 311A 12GA SxS and used 2 3/4 shells, then I got a Remington 12GA Magnum with a modified choke.  I still used the 2 3/4 on ducks in the new gun but went with 3" Magnum on geese.  The trendy thing these days is the 3 1/2" Super Magnum.  I guess they might help bring in some geese but for ducks, well, I'll just say the Ammo and Shotgun makers have some pretty smart marketing execs.  Bigger, better, faster, more super duper. Buy more!!!   Pffft! 

 

Can't really say much about the new birdshot like heavishot.  I'll just say if it shoots just like lead it is probably better than steel but Steel always worked just fine for me.

Tom - I'd refer to the hunting regs and give it a shot with both steel and Hevi - shot.

 

I'd just stock 3" and some 3 1/2".  80% / 20% mix.  No 2 3/4.

 

In my shop experience, you never have what everybody wants.

 

These guys are worst than women with shoes.

Tom - I'd refer to the hunting regs and give it a shot with both steel and Hevi - shot.

 

I'd just stock 3" and some 3 1/2".  80% / 20% mix.  No 2 3/4.

 

In my shop experience, you never have what everybody wants.

 

These guys are worst than women with shoes.

No doubt, but I think slugs and turkey loads are even worse.......

 

Just looking to get the most popular stuff.

12 ga 3" #2 steel. going to try some 3 1/2" this year.

I normally use 12 ga 3" #2 or #3 for ducks, 3 1/2" in 12 ga doesn't pattern well for me.  10 ga BB or BBB for geese.

I use 12g 3.5" federal black cloud #4, B, & BB if I'm looking for goose and duck at the same time. If I'm only duck hunting I use #4 12g 3". I personally prefer the black cloud because regular steel doesn't always knock them down. It rips through the bird without mushrooming like lead does. The black cloud has non toxic shot witch is what you need to hunt legally, but there using tungsten as well as other non lead metals in weird shapes instead of round pellets. Birds drop when you hit them.

BTW I kill ducks on Lk Hopatcong, your shop isnt far from my hunting spot in Jefferson. Let me know what you decide to stock and I will come buy shells from you.

Some of my best memories was duck hunting back in the day when I was a youngster with my grandpa. He had a great house right on the a small bay on Cape Cod. We kept our duck boat in these small canals in the marsh on his property and would set our decoys just off the bank and bam.. It was so tasty.

 

The last time I hunted ducks was when I lived up in NE Kingdom of VT. Problem was identifying some of the non legal game, some were endangered. I remember shootin one and he kept flying past shallow pond we were at. It went down in a Beaver pond, boggish swamp area that was way too deep and mucky for our waders. We had no boat, no dog, and hiked in pretty far. I didn't want to wanton waste, so one of us had to hike back to the truck while other waited at bird. Then head back to campus to get our one teacher friend who was our hunting mentor. He had a canoe and a 4x4, so we asked him to help us retrieve the bird. By now it was getting dark and finding that bird was a challenge, but we got it. It was a tasty one too.

 

We did a lot of hunting when up there. But those stories are for other threads.

Thank you, please keep them coming.

3.5 Black Cloud...All u need.

A lot of guys love Kent steel as well, I've never tried it personally, so I cant give a first hand testimonial.

No doubt, but I think slugs and turkey loads are even worse.......

 

Just looking to get the most popular stuff.

 

I would agree. Any load that was a good "waterfowl" load (I.E. lead 2's, 4's, 5's or 6's) during the lead days will suffice well for turkey loads today if you have any lying around. Slapping the "turkey" name on them suddenly makes them special. And special-expensive too.

In the early season I use a 3" 20 gauge with 4 shot, birds are landing in the decoys. Later in the season I switch to 3" 12 gauge with 2 and 4 shot. I only shoot at low passing birds or when they circle around for a second look at the decoys.

 

 

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Are you guys using #2 and #4 shot for geese or just ducks?

now I can't wait for duck season thanks alot oakey. I use #2 on the bay, #4 in the swamps for wood ducks.

Ducks I use #2 or #4 if im strictly hunting ducks. Goose you want some larger shot like BB or BBB. But I have knocked down geese before with #4 I wouldn't recommend it. It didn't die right away and I had to chase it around with the boat to finish it off. Not my idea of an ethical kill.