bedwards1966 Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I'm after some general help, I've been shooting crows on land (not decoying them, just popping at them when I see them) and I'm finding that they are not coming down. At first I thought this was due to using half choke and needing something tighter, but after trying full I'm still not managing. I'm using 32g of No. 5 shot, the birds seem to be hit well and stop flapping for a second or 2, but then they just change direction and keep going! I've been told that they don't drop instantly, I'm not on a very large piece of land and they go out of sight easily, but I don't think they're going down at all. How soon would you expect them to go down? I'm a little limited when it comes to using heavier cartridges as I can't take any longer than 65mm (old gun) but I'd have thought that the ones I have should be enough with full choke? I'd have said I'm shooting them at around 40-50 yards or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewj Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 im no expert what carts are you using (brand).? also try giving them a smidgen more leed and hit them in head no wing or body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I have no real problems dropping them stone dead with 30g no 6 at good ranges! However when I haven't quite done my part they do carry on often needing the 2nd barrel to see them down! Only today I gave one both barrels and it didn't drop until it flew around 200 yards away, most likely I wasn't quite on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhw100 Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 There's no denying they are hard ******* to take down I use half and three quarter or full if we are flighting them high. You have to hit them up front and make sure you have a Second shot ready to finish them if needed. Your cartridge is more than capable of killing a crow,if shot in the lungs they can carry on for a while but not as far as you describe- they should be coming down when you shoot them not flying off then coming down it does happen from time to time but not every shot! More lead/accuracy and they will fall every time! Crows can be deceiving as well though because they,re wing beat is slow..doesn't mean they flying slow...although slower than a woody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Might add I use 1/4 choke for everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytim38 Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 your not quite on them mate, no offence but with 32 gr no 5 they will drop like a stone so long as they are in range 40 yds ish max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAD1927 Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 32g no 6 does it for me. Had the same problem increased my lead and bingo falling crows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 you will also be better off using 6's asa the pattern will be tighter than 5's and its pattern that kills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I'm using Lyalvale Express in fibre wad. So it seems that I need a bit more lead and to perhaps try some no. 6 carts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytim38 Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 5 s are fine for crows, they have tough feathers, just adjust you lead, or up or down, get on some clays and use a pattern plate to make sure your gun fits properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhw100 Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I'm using Lyalvale Express in fibre wad. So it seems that I need a bit more lead and to perhaps try some no. 6 carts? I'd try more lead rather than shot size...although MIA is right the larger the shot the looser the pattern. I've never got on with fibres either I personally didn't think they packed as much punch as plastics but that's just me and some will prob disagree! Them cartridges should be taking crows down easy...simple! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Shot a few crows in my time,no 6 30g carts will kill them clean in the air and drop them no problems yes we all wing the odd one,and have to give them the second barrel,but if your on them they should drop BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I hit a high crow today had to be the best of 40 yds straight above me, plenty of feathers came out and it was obviously struggling. It carried on for 400yds to the nearest tree and crash landed into it. That was hit with 5's. At range they have to get the best of your shot. Just keep shooting at them you'll do alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I had a similar problem, missing high cows which seemed to be hit but carried on in another direction. After trying more and more lead I decided to give a lot less! Suddenly they started dropping stone dead. Turns out that I was missing in front and it would be the shock wave which made them stop and turn. Crows fly much slower than I thought. I'd try less lead as well as more....just in case GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Feathers = **** end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I had a similar problem, missing high cows which seemed to be hit but carried on in another direction. After trying more and more lead I decided to give a lot less! Suddenly they started dropping stone dead. Turns out that I was missing in front and it would be the shock wave which made them stop and turn. Crows fly much slower than I thought. I'd try less lead as well as more....just in case GH And i also agree with Greenhunter,i think many give too much lead when shooting crows,they are quite a big bird and moving much much slower than you think and when i say they are quite a big bird,just remember most of there size is wings,and tail feathers the body is actually pretty small Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 OK, so I'll try giving them more lead, and then try giving them less if needed in case I'm overdoing it, which is perhaps possible. Should I stick with full choke for 40ish yards, or can I get away with something a little more open, some of you seem to have more open chokes, do you tend to be closer to them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I mainly decoy so i use first barrel 1/4 choke (incoming bird) second barrel 1/2 choke (going away bird) and it seems to work for me but if shooting on a flightline (birds going to roost) depending on height i would more than likely just leave the same chokes in i think too many people play the choke game BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.I.A Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I had a similar problem, missing high cows Not come across them high before, there usually low and very slow :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR1960 Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I mainly decoy so i use first barrel 1/4 choke (incoming bird) second barrel 1/2 choke (going away bird) and it seems to work for me but if shooting on a flightline (birds going to roost) depending on height i would more than likely just leave the same chokes in i think too many people play the choke game BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I suspect they are out of range. Crows and rooks have large wide wings and are often further away than they look. I have always found crows carry very little shot and most extream range birds ( 50-55 yards ) simply fold up when using 30 gr of 6s and 1\4 choke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I suspect they are out of range. Crows and rooks have large wide wings and are often further away than they look. I have always found crows carry very little shot and most extream range birds ( 50-55 yards ) simply fold up when using 30 gr of 6s and 1\4 choke. I totally concur. Sound sensible advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 hit them in the middle of the pattern with 32g 5s and a bit of choke they will come down fast enough! Get some more practice in :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldfeller Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 aim between the eyes. I use a Benelli skeet choke 5 or 6 shot whatever cartridges are available and only miss half what i shoot at [mostly] had 1040 crows jackdaws last year [ how many missed ???] keep at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 aim between the eyes. :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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