PEREGRINE Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 Hi guys 2 questions for everybody: 1. What would you say the best shot size for shooting woody's over decoys is? I am using 6 shot at the moment but am considering 7's the last couple of times out, the birds have been dropping right into the kill zone at about 25-30 yards, and some of them are being hit a bit hard, dont know if its because my decoying is improving or i've juts been lucky lately but I am not having to pull down those long birds that come for a look, but dont commit themselves. 2. Do pigeons still fly, feed and come to decoys in the rain? Maybe stupid questions but I have only been shooting pigeons regularly for about 6 months before that I just used to shoot them whenever I happened to come across them. Any help would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 I use Eley Hawk Best Pigeon, 6.1/2 shot 32 gms. felt wad. My mate used some 7s clay cartridges a few weeks ago on a bumper day, he ran out of his usual 6s and got the 7s from the car. We shot 66 pigeon, a much larger number of birds than usual were pricked and not killed outright. We put it down to Garys 7s, and wont repeat the excersise. I did offer my mate some of my cartridges but he declined, as he claimed that they had too much kick for him. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEREGRINE Posted September 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 Thanks webber thats a good point, I dont want to cause any more wounding than is absolutely necessary, especially as I am not working a dog at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 I use a 6 generally sometimes a 5 very rarely a 7 for pigeon its a bit too small unless you are an exceptional shot and can regularly hit the bird with a good bulk of shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 I always use 32gm 6 or 6 1/2 shotsize with felt wad. I agree with Webber and FM and never use smaller shot that 6 1/2 on Pigeon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEREGRINE Posted September 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 Thanks FM looks like I'l be sticking to 6's how about decoying in the rain have you had any luck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 I will go out in any weather mate... I have shot plenty of birds in light rain... But in heavy rain they tend to stay put in their sitty trees.. When it does break they will often feed in a hurry before the weather turn bad again. I always take a couple of Crow decoys with me incase the weather turns bad and put these out. Crows and to some extent Jackdaws and Rooks appear to be on the wing in the most atrocious of weather. FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 I'd stick to sixes and just vary the shot charge and choke depending on what distance you plan to shoot. 28g with open chokes for over the deeks and 32g with tight chokes for the longer range stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MINDER Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 i use 7 1/2 28 gram prima's at pigeons all the time and have no prbs killing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesspencer_2001 Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 Used some 6.5 cartridges the other day and they worked very well enough in the spread with plenty of hit in them. I use a 32 inch browning with a tight choke and my dad uses a 28 with an open choke so i take the longer birds and he takes the close ones. It works and i hit a bird at 60 yards the other day with a single shot to the breast . Tried 5's but i think the shot are too big and dont penetrate as easy as a smaller shot throught the feathers but tend to stun the bird more than kill but at close range they tend to rip the bird up a bit . I think 6.5's are the best. Spenner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Beasley Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 A recent German client of mine turned up with Winchester 24 Gram "Silver" 7.5 shot recently. He was shooting a full and full 28inch Browning A1 and proceeded to bash seven shades of poop out of any pigeon within 50 yards! Just goes to show! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted September 6, 2004 Report Share Posted September 6, 2004 Indeed Will... He must have been an exceptional shot to kill regularly at 50 yds with that combination of choke, charge and size of shot. I have a full & full Browning but couldnt manage anything like that... 5 yards maybe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 6, 2004 Report Share Posted September 6, 2004 I have heard that the tighter chokes/ smaller shot combinations, can achieve some "long" range bird shots. But, its not magic, the person using the gun has to be very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Beasley Posted September 6, 2004 Report Share Posted September 6, 2004 But, its not magic, the person using the gun has to be very good. Absoluteley. My client was German champion 3 years running so he knows a bit about shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Shuter Posted September 6, 2004 Report Share Posted September 6, 2004 German 7.5 = GB 7 just for the record! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 71/2 will kill pigeon easily, some great shots use them, Peter Theoblad, Philip Fussel, Will Garfit etc. Before the lead ban we used them in the harbour for wildfowing on ducks upto 40 yards, mainly winchester trap 200 32g 71/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordan Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 i use clear pigeon carttridges 30g size 6 for pretty much everything rabbit spigeons crows the lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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