3" "universal" cart ?

[BellySlater]

At the risk of being told - do an '******* search, theres's loads on here, not again etc etc (I have searched and am still a little unsure)

 

I have a 3" maxus that does not allow me to change the load without cycling through the three already in place. Is there a "magic" cartridge that can be used for both Geese and Duck ? Appreciate that the answers will have a lot to do with range but I am pretty realistic when it comes to my ability and I don't really lift the gun at anything over 40ish yards.

Difficult to say which I will be shooting at most as it's estuary so I guess it's a bit of both !

 

My view so far is Gamebore Steel 3" 36g 3's for both ?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Mr Slater

[scolopax]

In the old days a 36 -40 gram load of lead 3's was a very good 'dual purpose' load. Cannot see a similar cartridge in steel being as effective but the 36 gram load of ITM 3's should be comparable.

[Wildfowler12]

Steel 3s wouldn't be my first choice for geese (I prefer BBs or 1s) but having said that, I've seen plenty of Canada's shot this year with steel loads as small as 32g 4s, NOT BY ME I hasten to add.

 

Why not use the 3s as you normally would (for ducks), but only have 1 cartridge in the magazine, then if geese present themselves you can quickly slide another cart in the mag (maybe a steel no1, or heavy bismuth) and your 2nd shot becomes your 'goose load'.

 

Either aim your first shot up top (head/neck area) or if they're too far out just fire away from them so that you're at least loaded for 1 shot with a decent cartridge.

 

Of course after that 2nd shot, you'll cycle the 3rd cartridge (steel 3) into the chamber, and this may even suffice in dispatching a close range runner/winged bird if needs be.

Edited December 18, 2012 by Wildfowler12

[silver pigeon 3]

If your pockets are deep then 36g 3's in gambore ITM is a great load. When i started fowling my mentor used this for all his shooting and it hit ducks and geese down no prob. I also started off with it but it works out to expensive for me.

 

I now use the 36g 3's in steel for ducks but it wouldn't be my shell of choice if i was expecting geese, but if they were close (sub 25 yards) i would feel confident in bringing one down with them. Personally i would load up with steel 1's if i was expecting a mix of geese and ducks.

[anser2]

As others have said 3 inch no 3s would not be my first choice for a goose shell , but as several dozen geese from white fronts to canadas have found to their cost they will drop geese up to 40 yards with no problem. However I do find with big geese such as greylags while the bird is imoblised they are frequently still alive and need to be despatched once in the hand. Like you I have found mammoth 3 inch no 3 a good all rounder.

[johnnytheboy]

36gram steel ones would do for foreshore ducks and geese, those eley lightenings would be a good shop bought choice! Does your max us not have the cartridge stop on it?

[steve0146]

36gram steel ones would do for foreshore ducks and geese, those eley lightenings would be a good shop bought choice! Does your max us not have the cartridge stop on it?

 

I shoot the large Canada's on our estuary and widgeon with 3 inch 36g no 1... If only expecting duck, drop to a no 3 but the no 1 does not cause excessive damage and there is no messing around trying to change shells etc. This is steel.

[roughshooter]

36g hevishot 3 would be a good allrounder and is what I would use in my auto if unsure of what was coming

Regards

 

Graham

[johnnytheboy]

The hevishot is devastating but patterns very tight! I had loads of success with it, this double dip recession killed my funds for it though!!

[figgy]

Gamebore mammoth 3" no1 as all rounder but I have shot Canada with threes as that was in the gun at the time but not long range.

 

Figgy