pigeon controller Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 DB and I have a healthy discussion on Tuesday in the hide about the ideal pigeon cartridge.Twenty years ago we would shoot 30gram 7s as most of our shooting was within the decoys with the occasional high shot. We now shoot 32gram 6s as we take the birds outside of the pattern if we can and also more high crossers. Where we differ is the 30/7 travels faster with a lighter impact weight , the 32/6 may be slower due to the weight but carries its impact weight. I suggested that. 32/7 would be ideal with modern powders. I'm not a ballistics expert but I throw it open for comments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 32g #6 is an absolute traditional load. 12s are supposed to run with this shot weight. in the UK, throughout history, we have imported cartridges, most have bigger shotsizes than uk shells, so they have 7 on the side, and are probably 6.5 or 6s. american shells have bigger shot and are slower. as for the best shell? 1300fps 1oz - 1,1/8oz of true english 6 will cover everything. if the birds are sitting on the deeks, snap caps would do them ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Looking at your bags pc, i will go with anything you say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Looking at your bags pc, i will go with anything you say so true, I am convinced that if he used an air rifle he will still shoot big bags and put the rest of us to shame..... I tend to use 30gm of No 6 in my 12bore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I wouldn,t go the no7 route,yes they might be faster,but being lighter they also lose energy quicker,so I,ll be stickin with no6.28g in my 20g,30/32 in my 12g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 32g #6 is an absolute traditional load. 12s are supposed to run with this shot weight. in the UK, throughout history, we have imported cartridges, most have bigger shotsizes than uk shells, so they have 7 on the side, and are probably 6.5 or 6s. american shells have bigger shot and are slower. as for the best shell? 1300fps 1oz - 1,1/8oz of true english 6 will cover everything. if the birds are sitting on the deeks, snap caps would do them ! If they are sitting in the pattern blanks will give them a heart attack ????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 From my experience I've not found the advertised speed of the cartridge to make much difference. I'm not talking about the difference between sub-sonics and the highest velocity clay cartridges, but the difference between a standard super-sonic shell and an all singing and dancing fast one. Once the shot column splits the individual pellets, being sperical, are balistically inefficient and slow down quickly. Pellets that start faster also slow down much faster and the longer the distance to the target, the less significant the higher muzzle velocity becomes. This is what I've found anyway in a mix of game, pigeon and clay shooting, but I don't shoot near the number of pigeons that a lot of you chaps do. I shoot 30g 6s and 32g 5s for my game and pigeon shooing, but I'm sure 7s would do the job. I never see them though, only 7.5s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntsman Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 32g no 6 heat seeking feather sensor ballistic tipped cartridge :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 What makes you think that smaller pellets go faster? The shot size is irrelevant to the muzzle velocity and the powder doesn't know what it's pushing apart from the overall weight of the shot charge but a smaller pellet will slow down quicker. I think 32/5 makes a stonking long range load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 My chosen favourite cartridge is an ounce of 6 .... Or 32 gram of 5 if I need something with a bit more punch but still give me a similar shot count to the oz of 6 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Some of the italian trap shells available are marked as 7.5 but the they have european shot size of 2.4mm which is more like a no7. I reckon these are close to the 7's you used to use PC and i reckon you would be impressed if you tried a box. Having said that i think a fair amount of cartridge choice is pyshological and therefore the best shell is one that suits your gun/set up and you get on well with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 If i could get 30 gram of 2.4mm (size 7) that would be ideal for me. I've used loads of different shells and they all kill pigeon . If someone can tell the difference in kills between 30 gram of 6 and an ounce of 7, they are a better man than I. I wouldn,t go the no7 route,yes they might be faster,but being lighter they also lose energy quicker,so I,ll be stickin with no6.28g in my 20g,30/32 in my 12g. Give 7s a try, you'll be surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrowning2 Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 #6.5 (2.5mm) I like for pigeons great in a 28ga for example. But my ideal pigeon cartridge is any I don't miss with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wigeon jim Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 For me now it's 30 g # 4 ( 3mm ) home loads, deadly on everything inside 50 yds, Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 If i could get 30 gram of 2.4mm (size 7) that would be ideal for me. I've used loads of different shells and they all kill pigeon . If someone can tell the difference in kills between 30 gram of 6 and an ounce of 7, they are a better man than I. Give 7s a try, you'll be surprised. To add my bit.... 28gm 7.5 Eley's in fibre...I use them all the time. I did use heaver loads for a good while, but developed better decoying methods and found a round to suit. TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everycal Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I've just brought a 20 bore that came with a load of Fiocchi top 20 28g 7.5s (UK 7) and they are cracking, good offer decoys but also useful on birds outside the pattern too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I used 28/7.5 at the weekend 32/6 and some 34g 4.5s I got off a customer dirty cheap . The 7.5s worked surprising good and the 34g 4.5s were shocking lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propercartridges Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 for me to stick my pennyworth in I like a cart that will do all jobs ,how many times have you heard get a good cartridge and stick to it well I shoot high and I mean high pheasants in mid wales and do 550 miles for the challenge of it my solid answer and without been a bighead is I can make any cart available and use the best of gear is my own 32 gram hi speed in plastic made to do 410 meters and about 620 bar using deadly 2.9mm shot about 4.5 uk any pigeon in that range and hit its goodnight might be overkill but better than underkill and touched and lost half choke through a berretta 682 30 inch very deadly up to and over 50 yards and a proper 50 yards at that for flighting at a shorter range same as above but 2.7mm uk 5.5 and I will go anywhere to prove it thanks george Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 We tend to use carts loaded with size 6 2.6mm shot and with either 28, 29 or 30 grammes. I look forward to trying Georges Proper Cartridges and hope to get him to make a 28 gramme true 6 1/2 2.5mm shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 If I could choose a load for pigeon , then without doubt it would be 30 gram of 7 , but to be honest I am happy to use anything from 28 gram 7.5 to 32 gram 6 , I still see little difference between them in the field ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propercartridges Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 it will be saturday for me in cecils to gether with your sasuagues fenboy you will be left for you and motty sum of mine mentioned above all I say is try these on 4.5 and I bet you like them they make pigeons as dead as julious ceaser and he has been dead a while but try daft shots at range you will be suprised Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 it will be saturday for me in cecils to gether with your sasuagues fenboy you will be left for you and motty sum of mine mentioned above all I say is try these on 4.5 and I bet you like them they make pigeons as dead as julious ceaser and he has been dead a while but try daft shots at range you will be suprised George, The two chaps you mention are looking for 7s not 4.5s, give them a 30gram load of 7s and you will make them happy! Are you taking alot of cartridges to cecils? I am popping in to cecils at stock up at some point but i need clay loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thanks George , if I find them that much better than my normal 28 gram 7.5 ( English 7 ) then I will be happy to eat humble pie and report back , but as good as they will be from a commercial point of view you are always going to find it easier to sell a pigeon shooter a load between 30 grams of 7 and 32 grams of 6 . I have been pigeon shooting over 30 years now and have never felt the need to go bigger than a 6 , but as I said I am happy to be proved wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Used to use 32 gram 5 s through 1/4. 1/2 chokes Now use 28 gramm 7 through 3/4 found it patterned better for me Going to try a few 6 but may have to go to 30 gramm to get the pattern I want Just my thought on it All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 30 grm of no 6 shot does all i need and more in plastic or fibre Hate 5's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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