Best well rounded shot/choke size for waterfowl

TrueBlue711 · November 27, 2017, 02:23 PM

When it comes to waterfowl hunting, you never know what you'll see fly over you. I currently carry a few different shot sizes with me, but can be a hassle swapping loads in a hurry without making the birds turn away. What is your fav sized shot you tend to use that bags anything between Teal and geese without tearing up the meat too much. The magic number I tend to see is #3 (give or take 1). Also, what choke size do you like to use in conjunction to that shot size?

ocharry · November 29, 2017, 01:06 PM

10ga,,,,full choke,,,4's,,,they never get away

ocharry

TrueBlue711 · November 29, 2017, 03:35 PM

Forgot to mention I shoot 12 ga.

jmr40 · November 29, 2017, 07:07 PM

With steel shot I killed more with IC. Steel patterns about one choke size tighter than lead.

Full choke should never be used with steel, it will damage the gun.

But a lot depends on the location and style of hunting. If you're calling them in IC. For longer pass shooting Modified, but IC does better than you'd think.

If you're using something other than steel then you can probably choke down one size tighter.

Worc · November 30, 2017, 10:36 PM

Huge difference between geese and teal hunting. It's not just their size differences, but their flight characteristics as they approach the decoy spread are vastly different.

While I have shoot geese with #4 steel, I don't recommend it and have done it seldom myself. For the small and darting ducks like teal that tend to be around in my area early in the season. I use mostly #4 in a 3" shell at 1,550fps. Geese usually see BB's in a 3 1/2" steel at the same velocity. #2 in 3" shell at a velocity of 1,450-1,550fps would be what I would choose for a medium. It's also the load I mostly use on larger ducks. In the last season I will at times step to a 3 1/2" shell with 1's at 1,550fps for those larger ducks. They tend to be more call shy/skittish and the temps are usually quite a bit lower.

Choke selections are based of many factors but, usually is an IC or Mod tube. There are full chokes rated for steel and other hard shot materials. I know guys who shoot fixed full chokes with steel shot with zero negative affects to their guns I don't recommend it as I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · December 1, 2017, 09:22 AM

No pass shooting. My shots are made over a beaver pond that runs parallel to a old skidding trail. I.E. >jump shots. #6 on mallards and woody's. Canadians & a snow occasionally #2's. Full choke only. Seems to work best for me. (Browning Citori.)

sixgunnin · December 3, 2017, 04:03 PM

I use 20 ga 3/4 ounce reloads of either f's or 2's
Can consistinetly beat the big boys with 3.5'' 12 ga loads. The only thing a 12 ga gains you over a 20 is range, doesnt make it any easyer to hit

November 27, 2017, 02:23 PM	#1
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	Best well rounded shot/choke size for waterfowl When it comes to waterfowl hunting, you never know what you'll see fly over you. I currently carry a few different shot sizes with me, but can be a hassle swapping loads in a hurry without making the birds turn away. What is your fav sized shot you tend to use that bags anything between Teal and geese without tearing up the meat too much. The magic number I tend to see is #3 (give or take 1). Also, what choke size do you like to use in conjunction to that shot size?

November 29, 2017, 01:06 PM	#2
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 686	10ga,,,,full choke,,,4's,,,they never get away ocharry __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

November 29, 2017, 03:35 PM	#3
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	Forgot to mention I shoot 12 ga.

November 29, 2017, 07:07 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,806	With steel shot I killed more with IC. Steel patterns about one choke size tighter than lead. Full choke should never be used with steel, it will damage the gun. But a lot depends on the location and style of hunting. If you're calling them in IC. For longer pass shooting Modified, but IC does better than you'd think. If you're using something other than steel then you can probably choke down one size tighter. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

November 30, 2017, 10:36 PM	#5
Worc Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 641	Huge difference between geese and teal hunting. It's not just their size differences, but their flight characteristics as they approach the decoy spread are vastly different. While I have shoot geese with #4 steel, I don't recommend it and have done it seldom myself. For the small and darting ducks like teal that tend to be around in my area early in the season. I use mostly #4 in a 3" shell at 1,550fps. Geese usually see BB's in a 3 1/2" steel at the same velocity. #2 in 3" shell at a velocity of 1,450-1,550fps would be what I would choose for a medium. It's also the load I mostly use on larger ducks. In the last season I will at times step to a 3 1/2" shell with 1's at 1,550fps for those larger ducks. They tend to be more call shy/skittish and the temps are usually quite a bit lower. Choke selections are based of many factors but, usually is an IC or Mod tube. There are full chokes rated for steel and other hard shot materials. I know guys who shoot fixed full chokes with steel shot with zero negative affects to their guns I don't recommend it as I'd rather be safe than sorry.

December 1, 2017, 09:22 AM	#6
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	No pass shooting. My shots are made over a beaver pond that runs parallel to a old skidding trail. I.E. >jump shots. #6 on mallards and woody's. Canadians & a snow occasionally #2's. Full choke only. Seems to work best for me. (Browning Citori.)

December 3, 2017, 04:03 PM	#7
sixgunnin Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2017 Location: Montana Posts: 182	I use 20 ga 3/4 ounce reloads of either f's or 2's Can consistinetly beat the big boys with 3.5'' 12 ga loads. The only thing a 12 ga gains you over a 20 is range, doesnt make it any easyer to hit