What size shot for duck?

[wildfowler.250]

I just moved onto gamebore 3" 36g 3's for ducks. Really don't think a smaller shot size than that is okay for wildfowling.

[chrispti]

I just moved onto gamebore 3" 36g 3's for ducks. Really don't think a smaller shot size than that is okay for wildfowling.

Agreed.

 

I would only drop to smaller sizes if I was shooting close birds over a pond or something..

[Underdog]

This maybe where the confusion is coming from maybe..... I only shoot over ponds n' such so the ducks and geese are close.

I usually go for bismuth but have seen and would use the 5s steel over a pond. Am talking 30 and a bit yards.

 

U.

[Guest cookoff013]

i constantly re-check the prices of shells,

with minimal outlay, "niceshot" is certainly a very good compromise for bismuth.

 

thats any payload too.

 

so reload your favourite lead load and put niceshot in it instead in a like- for like shotsize.

[kent]

There is simply no need to use expensive non toxic alternatives to steel. Forget lead shot sizes traditionally used for various game, just use what works ( I find number 2 or 3 very effective driven fast) it can be leads equal but you just don't / wont get the odd flukey kill from stray single pellets. If you are getting lots of wounders you are shooting the wrong shell OR getting your lead wrong. Pellet counts are far higher for steel than lead so forget weight - speed through lighter steel loads and larger shot sizes to retain the energy are key IMO