Are clay cartridges (7.5’s) suitable for pigeons and crows?

[Fargo]

On 08/09/2024 at 14:04, Fellside said:

A couple of weeks ago I was using a 20 bore for pigeoning. My cartridges were 21 gram UK 7 1/2. Hull ‘pro twenty’ to be precise, fibre of course. Anything within about 35 yards was folding nicely (when I did my bit). As the birds were decoying well, I didn’t find this range limiting at all. Not sure I’d use them for flight line shooting at the rangier stuff, or for larger quarry, but great for pigeon decoying. I’m uncertain re the velocity of these cart’s, but they seemed quick and I’m sure that helped. Also pleasant to shoot - virtually zilch recoil. 

P.S The chokes were cylinder and a quarter.

We also used 24g 7.5 fibre pro twenties on decoying pigeons this year and were the ideal load . One noticeable pigeon around 45/50 metres.

I have been a fan of small shot for a long time for birds and game.

[Fellside]

4 hours ago, Fargo said:

We also used 24g 7.5 fibre pro twenties on decoying pigeons this year and were the ideal load . One noticeable pigeon around 45/50 metres.

I have been a fan of small shot for a long time for birds and game.

Great 👍 

I am a big fan of the Hull Pro 20. It’s my ‘confidence cartridge’ these days. 

[wymberley]

On 08/09/2024 at 14:04, Fellside said:

A couple of weeks ago I was using a 20 bore for pigeoning. My cartridges were 21 gram UK 7 1/2. Hull ‘pro twenty’ to be precise, fibre of course. Anything within about 35 yards was folding nicely (when I did my bit). As the birds were decoying well, I didn’t find this range limiting at all. Not sure I’d use them for flight line shooting at the rangier stuff, or for larger quarry, but great for pigeon decoying. I’m uncertain re the velocity of these cart’s, but they seemed quick and I’m sure that helped. Also pleasant to shoot - virtually zilch recoil. 

P.S The chokes were cylinder and a quarter.

Have you got the hang of the 7&1/2s a bit more in the passed year? Have a look at Hull's website for their pellet count for the 21 grams and round the figure up to the ounce. "Every little helps"

EDIT: PS my Supreme Game 25 grams of 7s are the same size (weight)

Edited September 26 by wymberley

[Fellside]

On 26/09/2024 at 19:50, wymberley said:

Have you got the hang of the 7&1/2s a bit more in the passed year? Have a look at Hull's website for their pellet count for the 21 grams and round the figure up to the ounce. "Every little helps"

EDIT: PS my Supreme Game 25 grams of 7s are the same size (weight)

Not sure I would ever claim to have got the hang of it entirely (?!), but I do my best. I find them to work well with average birds - in other words if they’re decoying well. As mentioned, doubtful re the tangier stuff. There are circa 300 pellets in the 21 gram 71/2, so plenty of shot. That’s if Hull are loading UK sizes. Who knows what the actual size might be. These cart’s were pressed in to service to give min’ recoil for a child I was teaching and I ended up using the remaining boxes. Pleasantly surprised at what they could do within sensible ranges. 

P.S I have been less impressed with other 7 1/2 car’s for pigeoning in the past. I think with pellets this size, they need to be really travelling to have the necessary impact. These Pro 20s seemed quick to me. Perhaps that helped. 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

43 minutes ago, Fellside said:

Not sure I would ever claim to have got the hang of it entirely (?!), but I do my best. I find them to work well with average birds - in other words if they’re decoying well. As mentioned, doubtful re the tangier stuff. There are circa 300 pellets in the 21 gram 71/2, so plenty of shot. That’s if Hull are loading UK sizes. Who knows what the actual size might be. These cart’s were pressed in to service to give min’ recoil for a child I was teaching and I ended up using the remaining boxes. Pleasantly surprised at what they could do within sensible ranges. 

P.S I have been less impressed with other 7 1/2 car’s for pigeoning in the past. I think with pellets this size, they need to be really travelling to have the necessary impact. These Pro 20s seemed quick to me. Perhaps that helped. 

Moroccan Pigeons?

[Fellside]

37 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

Moroccan Pigeons?

Ha ha 😂. I ned to gow to spick savers! 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

1 minute ago, Fellside said:

Ha ha 😂. I ned to gow to spick savers! 

ONLY if you can find them, somewhere on the High Street I think.   

[wymberley]

2 hours ago, Fellside said:

Not sure I would ever claim to have got the hang of it entirely (?!), but I do my best. I find them to work well with average birds - in other words if they’re decoying well. As mentioned, doubtful re the tangier stuff. There are circa 300 pellets in the 21 gram 71/2, so plenty of shot. That’s if Hull are loading UK sizes. Who knows what the actual size might be. These cart’s were pressed in to service to give min’ recoil for a child I was teaching and I ended up using the remaining boxes. Pleasantly surprised at what they could do within sensible ranges. 

P.S I have been less impressed with other 7 1/2 car’s for pigeoning in the past. I think with pellets this size, they need to be really travelling to have the necessary impact. These Pro 20s seemed quick to me. Perhaps that helped. 

Yep. Never been in favour of 7&1/2s for live quarry simply because of the limited range. One gun and one cartridge suited me until age and infirmity joined in. I now have a 20 and use it with 25 grams of 7s on days when I can't manage the 12 and 28 grams of 6&1/2s. Your highlighted comment is valid in spite of the fact that Hull themselves tell us it's some 270 pellets in that load. If that is correct it would explain the extra bit of grunt over and above a true 7&1/2. My individual pellets of 7s are the same weight as your 7&1/2s. 

[Fellside]

34 minutes ago, wymberley said:

Yep. Never been in favour of 7&1/2s for live quarry simply because of the limited range. One gun and one cartridge suited me until age and infirmity joined in. I now have a 20 and use it with 25 grams of 7s on days when I can't manage the 12 and 28 grams of 6&1/2s. Your highlighted comment is valid in spite of the fact that Hull themselves tell us it's some 270 pellets in that load. If that is correct it would explain the extra bit of grunt over and above a true 7&1/2. My individual pellets of 7s are the same weight as your 7&1/2s. 

Yes could well be a little bigger than       7 1/2. I use 12 bore 7s (Italian 7 1/2 trap loads) for a lot of my decoying - and they are brilliant.  

[Ultrastu]

I haven't shot no 6 pellets all year on pigeons or crows .

7.5s  2.4 and 2.3 mm  on every thing 

I've had some great long range birds and that's mainly with the .410  and a few outings with the 20b . Same carts up the clay ground ,cheaper too ,what's not to like.?