dad Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 i am 69 now and over decoys getting about 3-1 on a good day. should i be happy with that. in my 40s i was 1.8 to1 what goes wrong. i do a lot of driven game shooting now and i do find it hard to get back into pigeons again in feb birds coming at me at 30 yds i rareley miss its the crossers at head height at 30yds that i struggle with and the stop start of warey birds over the deeks im sure i miss in front. shame you cant get those tracers any more. any other older gents have problems. still love it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Hi Dad, Im 67, been shooting on and off all my life, I returned to pigeon and clay shooting about 5 years ago after a long break mainly rifle shooting, I really enjoy it especially the pigeon control, but as you say I dont hit the numbers I used to, what with reflex time and eyesight failing I think im lucky to hit what I do, I like to try for 2 birds out of 3 shots but try not to go for long or high birds any more, If you have plenty of targets you can pick and choose a little more, I also only use a good cartridge, preferring something fairly fast around 1400 fps, with a good even shot string you can lay the string out in front of the bird and they will normally fly into it at some point, My real hatred is the real close range shot as the pattern is so closed up , at 10 to 15 yards you only need to be an inch out to miss and if you actually hit the poor bird you mash it up real bad, so I stick to 15 to 35 yards and try really hard not to spook the bird as I bring the gun up, that way they keep moving in more or less straight lines, Most of the farms I shoot on are older farmers and they like to chat so I spend more time talking than shooting but that way They are always pleased to see me putting in the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Don't let the kills to cartridge ratio worry you. If you do it will only get worse. I take on all birds within range and I don't worry about how many cartridges I have fired at the end of the day. Some on this forum would have us believe that they never miss which is tosh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennym Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 No you should not be disappointed I'm sure you know you are fortunate to be in good health to be able to get about & enjoy the countryside Please don't take that the wrong way it's just that I often have to stop myself & think I have a lot to be thankful for rather thank thinking of what I used to be able to do, I hope you don't mind me reminding you! I think your doing great long may it last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 still love it though. That is the only part of your post that means anything. I'm the wrong side of 76 and still banging away merrily - Gave up counting cartridges and kill ratios years ago. What the hell is the point of it. While I can still get there and enjoy it I shall continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 i concentrate on the decoying aspect now.......and get them in to a range which is suitable for me ..my gun...and choice of cartridge........i still like to have a go at high birds.... i use a 26" sidexside choked quarter and open and have of late been using 21gramm clay shells this is a good combination for up to 30yds............i have also arranged my nets differently now....i allways used to shoot sitting down....but now i sit until i see movement ...then slowly stand and crouch behind the net...then up-swing-thro-bang....this works well for me and i have good days and bad days................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) You will get days when you seem to miss or just wound everything, and other days when you will hit almost everything. I'm over 60 now and while I used to hit almost everything I shot at, now I often find I will start the day missing 5-10 birds, before deciding to take my time and go smoothly. Then I start hitting them again. I have too much arthritis now to be an effective snap shooter anymore, and find also that the slower you are, the less likely you are to spook the birds and have them flare away Edited July 30, 2015 by Redditch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad Posted July 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 thanks for the feed back guys makes me feel a lot better.i shot a little 28" berreta sxs for nearly 30 yrs 12g last year i changed to a o/u 30" sporter because my spine was taking too much recoil from the little gun and 32grm carts the sporter has made a lot of differance to my aching back its a lot heavier not as noisy either dont have to wear ear protecters sxs gave me h/aches dont shoot as well with it though. well done gandalf 76 thats great i want to retire next year at 70 and hopefully have 10 years good shooting.looking to get a little choc springer or cocker part trained if any body hears of anything local. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 I too am on the back half of 60 and find that reflexes slow down but this should not detract from the enjoyment of the day. As JDog and others have said, kills to cartridge ratios should not be a worrying factor. Everyone has good and bad days and some days the shooting is easier than others, but that is the whole enjoyment and unpredictability of pigeon shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 It's nice to have a good ratio but as long as you are enjoying it and can afford the cartridges then it really does not matter . You are unlikely to have a great ratio roost shooting or flighting but its still highly enjoyable shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 32gm cartridges....................you dont take any prisoners then !!.............just do something...just try a box of 21gm cartridges...might be a bit of an eye opener for decoying..........i use 30 and 32gm in my auto for flightlining and roosting....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 I use almost always 36gr No4 through my semi auto, they are needed round here as it's 95% corvids, and being cold and wet nearly all year here they have very thick plumage. 6’s don't cut it, and even 5's are marginal. Yet when I go to my mates in Armagh,I shoot his corvids with 28gr no7 no problem. Just about a 3 mile area here where they are so very very hardy, and also most are very large. Still, I don't mind chucking out for big cartridges, as when I hit them they are mostly very very dead And given the large amount of shot combined with the size, means I can use modified most of the time (Even out to 60 metres), unless it's very close Decoying when I go to cyl or imp cyl And using them through the A400 with kick off system, the recoil is hardly noticeable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 always shot 32g 6's clear pigeon but I have put these to one side for a bit , only use 29g pigeon power from express try some good shell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 I use almost always 36gr No4 through my semi auto, they are needed round here as it's 95% corvids, and being cold and wet nearly all year here they have very thick plumage. 6’s don't cut it, and even 5's are marginal. Yet when I go to my mates in Armagh,I shoot his corvids with 28gr no7 no problem. Just about a 3 mile area here where they are so very very hardy, and also most are very large. Still, I don't mind chucking out for big cartridges, as when I hit them they are mostly very very dead And given the large amount of shot combined with the size, means I can use modified most of the time (Even out to 60 metres), unless it's very close Decoying when I go to cyl or imp cyl And using them through the A400 with kick off system, the recoil is hardly noticeable I'd bet that 36gm 4 is an awful pattern through half choke at 60M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Don't let the kills to cartridge ratio worry you. If you do it will only get worse. I take on all birds within range and I don't worry about how many cartridges I have fired at the end of the day. Some on this forum would have us believe that they never miss which is tosh. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 I use almost always 36gr No4 through my semi auto, they are needed round here as it's 95% corvids, and being cold and wet nearly all year here they have very thick plumage. 6’s don't cut it, and even 5's are marginal. Yet when I go to my mates in Armagh,I shoot his corvids with 28gr no7 no problem. Just about a 3 mile area here where they are so very very hardy, and also most are very large. Still, I don't mind chucking out for big cartridges, as when I hit them they are mostly very very dead And given the large amount of shot combined with the size, means I can use modified most of the time (Even out to 60 metres), unless it's very close Decoying when I go to cyl or imp cyl And using them through the A400 with kick off system, the recoil is hardly noticeable Corvids of whatever species will be the same size wherever they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Don't let the kills to cartridge ratio worry you. If you do it will only get worse. I take on all birds within range and I don't worry about how many cartridges I have fired at the end of the day. Some on this forum would have us believe that they never miss which is tosh. Very true, your cartridge ratio also gets worse when JDog joins you in the hide for a while Respect to all of you 'senior' pigeon shooters, if i could manage 3-1 in my late sixties i would be a happy man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Very true, your cartridge ratio also gets worse when JDog joins you in the hide for a while Respect to all of you 'senior' pigeon shooters, if i could manage 3-1 in my late sixties i would be a happy man! Would be happy with that now let alone in my sixties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) I'd bet that 36gm 4 is an awful pattern through half choke at 60M.I came along the road the other day. Two rooks sat at 60 years in a tree at the back of the field. I thought I'll have them two. So I stopped, quietly got out and opened the back door. Hunkered down behind the hedge so they didn't see me getting the shotgun out. Quietly loaded it, and when I looked again, the had moved a metre apart, one above the other. I thought one is better than none, so took aim at the bottom one, and both dropped stone dead Don't need many no4 to hit to kill them and 36gr no4 is the same shot count (near as damn it) to 32gr no6 Edited July 30, 2015 by Redditch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) Corvids of whatever species will be the same size wherever they are.I've had mates up here with 3 1/2" magnum n6 and took 6 shots to kill one of "my" corvids LOL, with full choke. Now most turn up here with No4 or No5 as unless they are close (which isn't often here) you are only going to wound them, but maybe it's just the thicker plumage that makes them appear "bigger" ? We have almost all species of Corvid up here (I live near the north coast, on a hill, so it almost never stop raining, and even in summer rarely gets above 12-15c), EXCEPT Jays. What we do have here, which I've seen every year except this year so far, is a cross between a raven and a carrion. The size of a raven, but calls like a carrion (we have Ravens, but they are protected, so these "cross" birds I don't shoot either) Never seen them anywhere else, so would be interested if anyone else has come across them Edited July 30, 2015 by Redditch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Neal Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Not a hooded crow is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Hi Dad, Im 67, been shooting on and off all my life, I returned to pigeon and clay shooting about 5 years ago after a long break mainly rifle shooting, I really enjoy it especially the pigeon control, but as you say I dont hit the numbers I used to, what with reflex time and eyesight failing I think im lucky to hit what I do, I like to try for 2 birds out of 3 shots but try not to go for long or high birds any more, If you have plenty of targets you can pick and choose a little more, I also only use a good cartridge, preferring something fairly fast around 1400 fps, with a good even shot string you can lay the string out in front of the bird and they will normally fly into it at some point, My real hatred is the real close range shot as the pattern is so closed up , at 10 to 15 yards you only need to be an inch out to miss and if you actually hit the poor bird you mash it up real bad, so I stick to 15 to 35 yards and try really hard not to spook the bird as I bring the gun up, that way they keep moving in more or less straight lines, Most of the farms I shoot on are older farmers and they like to chat so I spend more time talking than shooting but that way They are always pleased to see me putting in the time. What choke/s are you using, sounds a bit tight to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Don't be disappointed just enjoy, I hit what I hit and love it especially the banter with old Tom at 83 and still hits a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad Posted July 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 I've had mates up here with 3 1/2" magnum n6 and took 6 shots to kill one of "my" corvids LOL, with full choke. Now most turn up here with No4 or No5 as unless they are close (which isn't often here) you are only going to wound them, but maybe it's just the thicker plumage that makes them appear "bigger" ? We have almost all species of Corvid up here (I live near the north coast, on a hill, so it almost never stop raining, and even in summer rarely gets above 12-15c), EXCEPT Jays. What we do have here, which I've seen every year except this year so far, is a cross between a raven and a carrion. The size of a raven, but calls like a carrion (we have Ravens, but they are protected, so these "cross" birds I don't shoot either) Never seen them anywhere else, so would be interested if anyone else has come across them i used to fish in southern ireland at athlone went every ear for 30 years used to take my dad he was 88 last time we went hes dead now ive not been since. we used to see a lot of crows with grey wings are they what you are talking about. never used to see any pigeons or rabbits. the irish boys used to come up the river in a boat and beat on steel drums to flush ducks.few times iwas tucked behind a reed bed out of wind out of sight fishingand i have heard a bang and then a splash and then a couple of spaniels splashing about, then the boys would see me and be quite shocked this was on the shannon about 7 miles down stream from athlone what a wonderful place never wanted to go home. just started using 1450 fps 30grm going to try 28grm next. a little story,driving to athlone from the ferry 70 miles through the night i said to my dad all these years we have never seen a rabbit then a mile further 1 ran into the road bomp bomp you guessed the only one we ever saw, 5 mins later another one did the same bomp bomp.my dad said now you know why you never see any i had just ran over the only 2 rabbits i had seen in 30 yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diddy Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 i don't worry about shot ratio, just being able to get out of the house and take a few shots is perfectly fine for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.