motty

We may not all be shooting steel in a few years.

I disagree that magnets are over-used. I just think that some areas are over-shot. In one area that I shoot, I have seen one old boy out three times in a week, all within a mile radius. That is the way to get decoy-shy pigeons. I also saw another duo out on a rape stubble that the old boy shot two days before! I shall be doing my homework before I shoot there again. For me, it is about getting birds into range. I choose whatever works best.

That sounds more than capable of handling hp steel. I would use it.

I put any cartridges through them.

Get out on the clays before I invite you pigeon shooting!😁

When you have walked out for a couple of miles onto the marsh, you want your cartridge and choke combination to work for you. You may get few chances, and if that mallard or pinkfoot comes on the very edge of range, you need the best/tightest patterns possible. In my experience, a half choke generally won't give me that. Even when I am expecting close shots, I will still opt for the tightest chokes, so I cover all bases.

A lot of wildfowlers like super tight extended chokes that may not come with their gun. You are unlikely to get an XXF choke with any gun as standard. For me, half choke just isn't tight enough for many wildfowling situations that I encounter.

I am doing pretty much the opposite of yourself. I will be out trying to get my first pinks with a 20 and a .410. I might even take every gun I have in my cabinets out on the marsh this year. I quite like mixing it up a bit. I am in no real rush for the season to begin, but having just had around 30 greylags fly past me at Wells, it did make me realise that I miss my goose shooting!

Tapered key.

I would totally agree with this. It is difficult to make a case to the contrary. It would be nice if the high bird shooters that post here would admit that their 90 yarders are the exception to the norm. Steel loads would have to be really fine tuned to be able to consistently shoot over 60 yards.

Soft lead will deform too much, causing a lot of fliers and poor patterns. Patterns kill. It is that simple. I have done no specific scientific studies in this area.

I shot on a Winter barley stubble on 12th July last year. It was the first stubble I had available. I reckon some might be cut this week on some of my farms if the weather is right. The first rape fields might be a week away. Looking forward to it!

If I had a choice, I would get harder lead shot for live quarry. It is more effective. Soft lead shot is not good.

Hard shot is not a negative.

Very good. I had a similar couple of hours this afternoon. I had initially tried to decoy on some sugar beet adjoining some standing wheat that was getting attention. My hide stood firm, but the pigeons were passing me and fighting towards a poplar belt. I decided to move. The belt is currently surrounded by wheat and barley, but I showed none of your restraint, shooting them however they presented themselves. I shot just 18, but they were satisfying.

Excellent results. Glad to hear of your exploits once again!

Though I believe a decent speed works well, I think what you have described would be classed as a coincidence.

For a good quality, value for money choke, you will do far worse than buying an extended Briley, in full choke flavour.

Nice one, Smoker! We don't get enough reports from you.

A lovely, detailed report of a more than worthwhile outing. Thanks for posting!

I am interested.

I have already seen a fair few pea stubbles. They can and will feed on them when there are grain fields in close proximity, but they are likely to feed on both. As you know vining peas are a different prospect from harvest peas.

It will last longer if you decrease the speed.

It isn't Palm Paper, but it is very close to that!

The Dog is one smooth character!