Mason4796 Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 I have been reading Wil Garfits book on pigeon shooting where he recommends the optimal pigeon load to be 28gram 7.5 shot. But everyone I speak with seems to go for 30gram 6 shot. Has anyone tried both and can give me a bit of personal advice on which they prefer? The figures I read were: 28g, 7.5 shot (385 pellets @ 2.3mm) 30g, 6 shot (287 pellets @ 2.6mm) Wills argument was that you see a 25% reduction in pellet count going from the 28 gram to the 30 gram load which is more of a consideration than the relatively small change in shot size of 0.3mm thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Use either. Both will kill pigeons very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 22 minutes ago, motty said: Use either. Both will kill pigeons very well. Yep! Learn from your own experiences not someone else's! Both will work fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 I like the 28G clay loads theyre cheap and they work for me. Have used both and not noticed a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 41 minutes ago, motty said: Use either. Both will kill pigeons very well. But should you have need to stretch your effective range for whatever reason, then going up one size bigger for one and down one size smaller for the other will offset the shortfall in performance in both the sizes mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 I think that Will is probably right for the type of shooting that he does i.e. decoying where he gets the pigeons within say 25-35 yards. If you look at his kills to cartridge ratio, this proves his theory, but there again, he is a very good shot. I understand that when he went pigeon shooting with George Digweed, GD said "You take anything up to 15 yards and I`ll take the rest" However, it`s confidence in whatever gun and cartridges you use count for a lot in my opinion and of course the ability to hold the gun straight. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Buy a slab of both, take your spare chokes out and shoot some of both. you will get a feeling about which combination of choke and shell work best for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason4796 Posted October 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 12 minutes ago, Old Boggy said: I think that Will is probably right for the type of shooting that he does i.e. decoying where he gets the pigeons within say 25-35 yards. If you look at his kills to cartridge ratio, this proves his theory, but there again, he is a very good shot. I understand that when he went pigeon shooting with George Digweed, GD said "You take anything up to 15 yards and I`ll take the rest" However, it`s confidence in whatever gun and cartridges you use count for a lot in my opinion and of course the ability to hold the gun straight. OB Thanks and good point! I do remember reading that in the book also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 im doing a bit of an experiment at the moment............i have so far used 28gm 7.5................hard kick in my little sxs...so used them in the auto. (these are fibre wad) 24gm 7.5...............nice fast cartridge only a small kick.............................(these are fibre wad) i am waiting for some 24gm 7.5 plastic wad to come my gun is choked cylinder and 1/4.............. i wont use the 28x7.5 in the sxs as they kick like hell and target finding on the second shot is slow as a result............they work well in the auto used in 1/2 choke the 24 gm 7.5 are a sweet cartridge up to 25 yds then i think the pattern blows after that..........i rekon the 24gm 7.5's plastic wad that i have coming will give me up to 33 yds..........which will suit me fine and they are only £50/slab....................... flighting i will stick to my 28gm 6's plastic wad............ the pics are of one of the birds i shot a couple of days ago..............shot at 20 yds or just under using the 24gm fibre 7.5..............11 pellets i found... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 3 hours ago, ditchman said: im doing a bit of an experiment at the moment............i have so far used 28gm 7.5................hard kick in my little sxs...so used them in the auto. (these are fibre wad) 24gm 7.5...............nice fast cartridge only a small kick.............................(these are fibre wad) i am waiting for some 24gm 7.5 plastic wad to come my gun is choked cylinder and 1/4.............. i wont use the 28x7.5 in the sxs as they kick like hell and target finding on the second shot is slow as a result............they work well in the auto used in 1/2 choke the 24 gm 7.5 are a sweet cartridge up to 25 yds then i think the pattern blows after that..........i rekon the 24gm 7.5's plastic wad that i have coming will give me up to 33 yds..........which will suit me fine and they are only £50/slab....................... flighting i will stick to my 28gm 6's plastic wad............ the pics are of one of the birds i shot a couple of days ago..............shot at 20 yds or just under using the 24gm fibre 7.5..............11 pellets i found... Try Hull Comp X 28g 7.5 in your s/s ,lovely and smooth and work well in my 26" No4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 24 minutes ago, matone said: Try Hull Comp X 28g 7.5 in your s/s ,lovely and smooth and work well in my 26" No4. may well do ..reasonable price to...£55.50p /slab..............im using the same gun as you...........how is yours choked ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 1/4 & 5/8ths but still shoots tight I think ! Excellent in the hide but like yourself I find most modern cartridges a little harsh! Fiocchi PL28 6,s are ok in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 54 minutes ago, matone said: 1/4 & 5/8ths but still shoots tight I think ! Excellent in the hide but like yourself I find most modern cartridges a little harsh! Fiocchi PL28 6,s are ok in it. thats what motty recomended to me a while back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Just now, ditchman said: thats what motty recomended to me a while back I would try some if you can get them nearby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Recently tried some Power Blue 28G 7.5's while decoying did the job very nicely. Previously have used everything up to 32 gram and not noticed any difference and the pigeons didnt complain either way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 22 hours ago, Mason4796 said: I have been reading Wil Garfits book on pigeon shooting where he recommends the optimal pigeon load to be 28gram 7.5 shot. But everyone I speak with seems to go for 30gram 6 shot. Has anyone tried both and can give me a bit of personal advice on which they prefer? The figures I read were: 28g, 7.5 shot (385 pellets @ 2.3mm) 30g, 6 shot (287 pellets @ 2.6mm) Wills argument was that you see a 25% reduction in pellet count going from the 28 gram to the 30 gram load which is more of a consideration than the relatively small change in shot size of 0.3mm thoughts? 28g of 2.4mm (euro 7.5 350 pellets per 28g) but almost uk 7 is probably the best all round pigeon cartridge for a combination of price, pattern and range (40 yards) for £210/1000 RC, Rio, Fiocchi, gamebore diamond shot, all fall into this catagory. If you want a bit more range (45 yards) 32g no 6.5 (300 pellets per 28g) is the next balanced loading, but up to £330/1000 Thereafter 36g no 6 for 50 yards but you are now at £375/1000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 23 hours ago, Mason4796 said: I have been reading Wil Garfits book on pigeon shooting where he recommends the optimal pigeon load to be 28gram 7.5 shot. But everyone I speak with seems to go for 30gram 6 shot. Has anyone tried both and can give me a bit of personal advice on which they prefer? The figures I read were: 28g, 7.5 shot (385 pellets @ 2.3mm) 30g, 6 shot (287 pellets @ 2.6mm) Wills argument was that you see a 25% reduction in pellet count going from the 28 gram to the 30 gram load which is more of a consideration than the relatively small change in shot size of 0.3mm thoughts? For a number of years I was a strong devotee of Gamebore Clear Pigeon , they were and still are a very good cartridge not only for pigeon shooters but I know a lot of game shooters who also use them with good effect , well now , with only relying on a small private and the state pension I have to consider the cost of the shells I use , more so now the price the game dealers are paying for both fresh and frozen pigeons and the rising cost of Clear Pigeon cartridges . I did buy nearly a 1000 Hull Super Fast clay load cartridges off a member and used them with very good results over decoys , then I moved on to Gamebore Velocity 28 gm 7 1/2 , which I still use and I have no complaints whatsoever , will kill at a sensible range , soft on the shoulder , plastic wads and at a very good price , the shop let us have them at £45 a slab , the same price as 1000 which are £180 , I have got no reason at the moment to change , if you find one you like , then stick with it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 17 hours ago, ditchman said: thats what motty recomended to me a while back I probably recommended Fiocchi Top one. Available in fibre and plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 46 minutes ago, motty said: I probably recommended Fiocchi Top one. Available in fibre and plastic. wooohhhh they are a good price..............i remember you recommended fiocchi.........not the type..........have to get a couple of boxes of those and try them........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 As motty said. Use both as they will both kill just fine. I use 6 29g as I sometimes shoot rabbits and like the extra poke. That said I used some 7s the other day (jocker) and they killed fine at 40 yards, perhaps a touch further. Under 45 and 7.5 are fine for decoying. If you hit further than that you won't need our advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 When I started pigeon shooting I used 28gram 7 and only shot birds that decoyed, I now use 32/6 as I shoot passing birds and birds leaving the pattern( usually second bird leaving the pattern) it just what suits you. I see comments about Proper Cartridges and also steel shot cartridges not hitting hard, in my experience they both hit very hard you just need to get the lead right!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hur5ty Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 Hi, I use these in a 6. I can't fault them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 The best Shot size for pigeon will depend on a few factors Your cal . Load size .choke .distance and gun type . Some guns can shoot 7.5 well out to 45 yds .other guns will struggle beyond 20 yds. With a 7.5 and perform better with a no 5 and every thing in between . First You need to identify your gun and its limitations /strengths and then choose a cartridge. To suit your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 On 11/10/2018 at 10:56, Mason4796 said: I have been reading Wil Garfits book on pigeon shooting where he recommends the optimal pigeon load to be 28gram 7.5 shot. But everyone I speak with seems to go for 30gram 6 shot. Has anyone tried both and can give me a bit of personal advice on which they prefer? The figures I read were: 28g, 7.5 shot (385 pellets @ 2.3mm) 30g, 6 shot (287 pellets @ 2.6mm) Wills argument was that you see a 25% reduction in pellet count going from the 28 gram to the 30 gram load which is more of a consideration than the relatively small change in shot size of 0.3mm thoughts? hello, what shotgun do you do you use for pidgeon shooting, fixed/ multi choke/ semi auto ?/ pump? S x S/ O/U, ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Ultrastu said: The best Shot size for pigeon will depend on a few factors Your cal . Load size .choke .distance and gun type . Some guns can shoot 7.5 well out to 45 yds .other guns will struggle beyond 20 yds. With a 7.5 and perform better with a no 5 and every thing in between . First You need to identify your gun and its limitations /strengths and then choose a cartridge. To suit your needs. Very true, if it feels right you will shoot it well. Confidence is the main factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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