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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? 

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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

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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!

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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...

experiment 005tn_.JPG

experiment 006tn_.JPG

experiment 007tn_.JPG

experiment 010tn_.JPG

experiment 011tn_.JPG

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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...

experiment 005tn_.JPG

experiment 006tn_.JPG

experiment 007tn_.JPG

experiment 010tn_.JPG

experiment 011tn_.JPG

Try Hull Comp X 28g 7.5 in your s/s ,lovely and smooth and work well in my 26" No4.

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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.

 

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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 .  

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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........:good:

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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. 

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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!!!!

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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. 

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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, ?

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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.

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