flash Posted August 19, 2006 Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 im hopefully going wildfowling for the forst time at the beginnig of the season, as i have said i havent been before and dont knwo what cartridges will be the best to take. i know they must be non toxic and prob felt wad. but im not sure which non toxic shot, tungsten steel or bismuth. also my gun(laurona o/u 12 bore) can take 3 inch magnums so are these more suitable to take. and what shot size? cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 19, 2006 Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 Hevi-shot seems to be the bees knees but for reasonable price and good performance I`d go for Tungsten matrix,preferably in a buffered cartridge(can`t remember who does it). That`s if it is real wildfowling................ie.mud and foreshore. If it`s duck shooting over a pond or river,I`d go for steel if your gun will take it. DO NOT USE TIN...............EVER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted August 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 it is over a marsh in the tor estuary in devon. thanks henry, i think i will go for tungsten matrix, what sought of price should i expect to pay for 50 or so? cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 19, 2006 Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 No idea I load my own try a google Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatingisbest Posted August 19, 2006 Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 it is over a marsh in the tor estuary in devon. thanks henry, i think i will go for tungsten matrix, what sought of price should i expect to pay for 50 or so? cheers flash at my work we are cheap for carts and expect to pay about £1.10 a shot, im not joking before you ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Flash, I use Hevi shot by Express. I cannot fault them. Whatever you do don't use Bismuth, it isn't up to it. Steel is OK for shooting short range up to 30 yds. I have not used tungsten matrix but I am sure it will be fine. Have fun in the mud!! Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughshooter Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Flash, I use Hevi shot by Express. I cannot fault them. Whatever you do don't use Bismuth, it isn't up to it. Steel is OK for shooting short range up to 30 yds. I have not used tungsten matrix but I am sure it will be fine. Have fun in the mud!! Cheers Martin Heavyshot is definitely better than bismuth. Can't remember how much I paid though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 I bought some 3" cartridges and the were £11.65 for 10 Essex Gun is the cheapest around. Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted August 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 i think i will just go for 2 1/2s, cheaper and more variety i think. cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 i think i will just go for 2 1/2s, cheaper and more variety i think. cheers flash Flash 2 1/2 for wildfowl! I give you 2 trips before you chuck you gun in the mud why not make it real hard and try a .410 As long as the gun is not choked tighter than ½, 36grs (3 inch) steel in a number 3 is very effective at ranges up to about 35 yards, after that it lacks clout, due to its density (or lack of) in comparison to lead which is not allowed. At about £6 a box of 25 its also cost effective and a good all round combi for a wildfowling newbie, The problem faced by all of us is to match a load with our sporting requirement and our pocket, not always easy! However best to have a cart that will do the job, as sitting in the cold mud and missing or pricking birds with the wrong load would make you wish you had spent a bit more money and a bit more time on research, of good luck Pavman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted August 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 so what is the best and most reliable make out there, some people have recommended hevi shot, are these any good? cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 I do use quite a lot of steel shot cartridges but normally later in the season when the birds are lower and start to drop in on decoys. Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Flash this will either help or confuse! http://www.wildfowling.co.uk/magazine/pattern.htm pavman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Flash this will either help or confuse! http://www.wildfowling.co.uk/magazine/pattern.htm pavman As I started to read this I thought"I`m sure I met this bloke at the BASC wildfowling conference".......... Oh yes indeedy. He is the foremost expert IMO with most non-tox but especially steel.I still have about 20-30 page document he gave me with all the data from his experiments. As you will have guessed he likes 3.6mm steel,in his gun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 beatingisbest- where do you work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 As long as the gun is not choked tighter than ½, 36grs (3 inch) steel in a number 3 is very effective at ranges up to about 35 yards, snap use these in lyalvale 3" 36grm,s of 3 ,s in steel. top job at the range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 tugsten for me as I wont put steel through my guns and unfortunately I have seen to many duck hit with bismuth but not drop cheers KW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 I homeload my own HeviShot for the geese in a variety of 12g sizes, as I fire over 200 shots a season it becomes much more cost effective. For small buys I would recommend looking at John Forseys in Kent, they stock a good variety of non-toxic loads. You will find an advert in most shooting mags. Cheers, Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 I can recommend Eley Alphamax bismuth 4's for duck. Last lot I bought were £17.50 a box though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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