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Best shot size for geese?


lspencer
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Hi, Im after your opinions on the best shot size to use on geese? What gram loads etc? I understand it comes down to personal opinion a lot of the time but just trying to get a good idea from you more seasoned shooters.

 

Thanks In Advance

 

Depends, on decoys you wont need as much penetration as generally the range will be reduced and vice versa on the foreshore. Also a Canada is heck of a deal larger than a pink. In a 3 1/2 " 12 you can fit more shot in the case so you can err on the large side with a std 3" you need a smaller size shot to get the quantity of pellets. Mostly you will have to use steel or non toxic but there are big differences in the individual materials. Choke and pattern testing in individual guns will determine the rest

 

I like BBB in steel with the 3 1/2", but get way better pattens with Remington Nitro steel and half choke than any other similar loads i tested - important bit here (in my gun) But i only shoot the foreshore

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I am going to start loading my own this week. Going this route, i am looking to get the biggest pellets out there while still maintaining pattern density at long range. Also - using steel - you can ramp up the velocity more than other shot materials.

I'm going to load some 1 1/2 oz T shot in 3 1/2" (about 1400 fps) and also try around an ounce of 2's (3") at around 1800 fps. I will pattern test these loads.

Both loads should have more than enough energy to kill geese past 50 yards, provided the patterns are ok.

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We get a fair few canada's down here but I prefer to chase the ducks, i've always got a pocketful of Hevi-Shot 34g 3's incase the odd goose strays over and they are more than fine for them, brilliant on long range/high ducks too. Expensive but worth it if you don't intend using large quantities of them or have deep pockets :good:

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I am going to start loading my own this week. Going this route, i am looking to get the biggest pellets out there while still maintaining pattern density at long range. Also - using steel - you can ramp up the velocity more than other shot materials.

I'm going to load some 1 1/2 oz T shot in 3 1/2" (about 1400 fps) and also try around an ounce of 2's (3") at around 1800 fps. I will pattern test these loads.

Both loads should have more than enough energy to kill geese past 50 yards, provided the patterns are ok.

 

This probably goes without saying but be very careful with powder-wad-primer selection loading steel. I have been stuffing steel in 10 ga. for about 20 years and find slow powders like Blue Dot or 4756 to work for a lot of apps. Switching wads or primers from what is in the book can really change pressure curves. That said steel likes high pressure and obviously kills best if pushed fast.

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This probably goes without saying but be very careful with powder-wad-primer selection loading steel. I have been stuffing steel in 10 ga. for about 20 years and find slow powders like Blue Dot or 4756 to work for a lot of apps. Switching wads or primers from what is in the book can really change pressure curves. That said steel likes high pressure and obviously kills best if pushed fast.

 

Very good advice buddy, stick to the book or trusted idividuals who have been reloading for a while not from somebody who "thinks" he knows...............

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On the same subject - where can you purchase bismuth shot and what does it cost.

I don't reload myself but I have a mate who is willing to do some for my 10 bore.

 

Your a braver man than me if you could fire somebody elses reloads i just dont think i could do it :blink:

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As always, the subject has got a bit wider, but there is a lot of difference between some Ducks and Geese, and the Canada is not small, I take more of these on the ground with a rifle than in the air with a shotgun, MASSES round here, and absolute vermin!

 

You need a decent Shotgun load for most geese however you want to look at it!

Edited by Dekers
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If your using Bismuth cartridge then size 3's should do the job. I saw people knocking canadas down on the foreshore last season with only Steel no.4's but I certainly wouldn't recommend that. You're more than likely to ***** a goose rather than kill it with carts like that!

 

I carry 36g Bismuth no.3's and 36g High Performance Steel no.1's on the marsh.

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