00jacksonp Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Hi guys. Had my first geese last night . Went for the evening flight after feeding and bagged three geese between me and 2 other guns. Not the biggest bag but we generally keep it small so nothings wasted. I sank a big old canada that crumpled in the air . I was shooting with 32g 4s As I went to retrieve the bird ( no dog) to my surprise it got up and started running . I gave it another shot and it stopped. I hate to see any animal not dead when it hits the ground. Another skein cam over and I picked of the back bird . The bird dropped about 10ft and looked like a dead bird , again it managed to pull itself back up to join the skein. I know these are big birds but i thought 32g 4s would drop them dead . Although I was over the moon with my first canada of the season the thought of the one that I pricked was lingering in the back of my mind. Any thoughts or ideas on other loads. I examined the bird I retrieved and I must have hit it centre pattern because the breast and wings were peppered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Steel fours are pretty light pellets, even for ducks. Size 1 or BB are usually considered more appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 4's aren't enough unless you're close. They don't have the energy to penetrate on a big goose (which canada's are). You don't mention your range, but I wouldn't use 4's anything past about 25 yards and even then I'd be aiming for the head and neck. I've shot 2's at Canadas and it was okay for breaking wings, but body penetration wasn't great. Realistically if you're shooting Canadas at 40 yards you want B or bigger. rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Personally speaking no.4 "steel" 32 grm loads on a 14 lb goose- it would need to be close and a good head/neck shot. Your shooting something the size of a fox and far tougher and able to "carry its wind" much better. Mostly duck shells do not create dead in the air geese unless you get a good close shot at a good angle. My favourite Duck and Goose shell to load in my gun (were either might be expected on short notice without time to change) is 1 1/4 oz of no.2 in by Remington in their nitro steel 3" shell ( this is for superior steel proofed guns only though). Still not exactly a flighting load mind and I should want to see Canadas at 35 yards or less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoggysreels Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 36/42g .. go up in shot size .. No1's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00jacksonp Posted October 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Thanks guys .# I was aware that these cartriges would only be suitable for close range geese and duck . I was shooting at about 25-35 yards. I think I will keep these just for duck. Off to get me some big boy BBs. Thanks guys appreciate your help . Fingers crossed no more pricked birds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 I've left Canada geese pass me by even when I've been loaded with 32g 3s. Unless I am confident of a head shot with anything less than BBs or No1s I don't shoot. They are a big old bird to be trying to down with steel fours, I use a minimum of steels threes for ducks. BB steel for passing geese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Same here bb's for the geese, But you must pattern test them through your gun and find the suitable choke for the range you are shooting. There are a lot less pellets in a bb load. I found 1/2 choke in the factory chokes to be the best, but recently purchased an aftermarket choke and the results are incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 I must have hit it centre pattern because the breast and wings were peppered. And there one of the problems. Your not getting up front of them enough. I've lost count of Canada geese I've cleanly killed with 15/16 oz 3 or 4 steel shot from my 20ga. or 1-1/8 steel 3-4 from my 12ga Only this Sunday mornings I tripled a bunch of Canada with the 12ga All killed cleanly. Nobody is perfect including myself. If you can't kill them at 25- 40 yrd with what you was using get some shooting practice in.shoot at head thinking it's a Snipe and NOT at the Big bit eg cheast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Before you buy some BBs check is your gun can handle them. If you have 2 3\4 inch chambers ( 70 mm ) you can only use 32 gram loads in steel you will struggle to find any steel shells loaded with anything larger than number 3. Bigger shot sizes are usually loaded in 3 inch shells , but what everyone else has said is right , you need number 1s or larger for canada geese unless very close. If your chambers as 2 3\4 then I think you will have to use Bismuth by Eley. You will be able to drop down to number 3 shot as its more dense than steel , though given the choice I would opt for the largest shot size up to BB you can find. Tungsten or hevi shot shells will also work with the smaller shot size , but almost impossible to get hold of thes days and all the shells other than steel will cost a bomb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 You are right Boyd , the trouble us lesser mortals do not have the skill you have to hit them in the head every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 You are right Boyd , the trouble us lesser mortals do not have the skill you have to hit them in the head every time. Ha ha Robert I did state even I am not perfect. But I'm sure you will agree a lot of people don't understand the speed Geese fly eg I can't miss these Big slow birds so they casualy aim at the Big bit resulting in a miss or butt ended/wounded bird. Robert you have known a lot of years and understand what I'm trying to get say. If you can kill Mallard at say 50yrd you will do the same to a Goose as long as you shoot at it in the same way as your Mallard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 hold back the ranges, even head shooting very well you will get poor kills with duck loads. 35 yards even for a good head and neck shot is pretty much maximum and that's with the hotter superior proof shells, yeah I have dropped some further stone dead in the air but it was more dumb luck with one pellet finding a weak point ( you really need some energy to smash into the scull or break the neck of a big old honker). Duck shells generally are more when one decides to come into you duck deeks at say 20-25 yards offering a good chance at the sharp end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad63 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Gotta "Nut em" eh Boyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad63 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Pointless talking shot sizes unless you state which company! They do vary, for example a Gamebore no 3 is 3.6mm, a Lyalevale no 3 is 3.25mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Gotta "Nut em" eh Boyd I was worried about using that phrase lol. Yes that's what Kenzie advised me many many years ago. " nut em boy an them will fall " also Patern AND Penertration will kill more than just one or the other That advice has served me well for 40+ years and my Grandson ain't done to bad so far on his short journey in Wildfowling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad63 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Nothing wrong with that phrase..... Good sound advise I would say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Whenever I try and help a novice on a peg during a game shoot, apart from the safety factor I tell them its better to miss in front then miss it from behind or give it to much lead rather than not enough , but with some fowlers it don't matter how good a shot they are when a goose come over they go into a different mode , they know what to do but doing it is another story and like Boyd says, its where you put the shot is more important than the shot size ......within reason that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 32g of No 1 steel at around 1550ftsec are deadly out to 50y. I've been using them for years. I never get a runner from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Having watched a Fowler one morning kill 7 Duck for 7 shots and miss 10 shots at Geese arrived in the car park carrying 2 Geese He wanted to know what cartridges chokes and gun I was using claiming he'd shot Duck at 45yrd yet missed Geese at the same range. Looking around I took a Mallard and a Goose and hung them on a fence without him seeing me. Right mate shoot the Mallard no way it's 80yrd erm okay shoot the goose he laughed I want to eat it whole not as mince really there BOTH 50yrd. Just my opinion but a lot of fowlers miss judge Hight and shoot at Geese out of range or ability or both don't credit Geese for the speed they fly so as already stated miss or butt end them resulting in them blaming there Chokes Cartridges or Gun but never themselves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Sorry should be 65yrd Duck not 45yrd. But I'm sure you all got my point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Having watched a Fowler one morning kill 7 Duck for 7 shots and miss 10 shots at Geese arrived in the car park carrying 2 Geese He wanted to know what cartridges chokes and gun I was using claiming he'd shot Duck at 45yrd yet missed Geese at the same range. Looking around I took a Mallard and a Goose and hung them on a fence without him seeing me. Right mate shoot the Mallard no way it's 80yrd erm okay shoot the goose he laughed I want to eat it whole not as mince really there BOTH 50yrd. Just my opinion but a lot of fowlers miss judge Hight and shoot at Geese out of range or ability or both don't credit Geese for the speed they fly so as already stated miss or butt end them resulting in them blaming there Chokes Cartridges or Gun but never themselves I always blame myself when I miss, I have total faith in my homeloads. Funnily enough, Boyd, I was having major trouble killing pinks a few seasons ago. It turned out I was over-leading them. I'm still nowhere near as good on the pinks as I am on the pigeons, but I still get a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 I can over lead both ducks and geese very easily. I rarely shoot behind them but in front, miss at thirty or under and stone dead over forty five yards. More practice me thinks. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00jacksonp Posted October 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Having watched a Fowler one morning kill 7 Duck for 7 shots and miss 10 shots at Geese arrived in the car park carrying 2 Geese He wanted to know what cartridges chokes and gun I was using claiming he'd shot Duck at 45yrd yet missed Geese at the same range. Looking around I took a Mallard and a Goose and hung them on a fence without him seeing me. Right mate shoot the Mallard no way it's 80yrd erm okay shoot the goose he laughed I want to eat it whole not as mince really there BOTH 50yrd. Just my opinion but a lot of fowlers miss judge Hight and shoot at Geese out of range or ability or both don't credit Geese for the speed they fly so as already stated miss or butt end them resulting in them blaming there Chokes Cartridges or Gun but never themselves Agree on the "blame game " I do not doubt my ability to read geese as I have knocked a quite a few down. After using these cartridges there was no doubt the birds were hit hard. I can however say the "blame" was on me for using the wrong carts. A mistake I will definitely learn from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 I can over lead both ducks and geese very easily. I rarely shoot behind them but in front, miss at thirty or under and stone dead over forty five yards. More practice me thinks. Figgy Me too and yet most tell you that you are behind, you need to look at were you are clipping birds and just smile at those who offer up advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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