20 Gauge goose loads

Demaiter · September 21, 2009, 09:16 AM

Anyone have any recommendations? I'm shooting a 20 gauge BPS with 3" chambers.

I bought some 2.75 #4's Remington Hevi Shot (before their Wingmaster HD) and it patterns like crap. I've shot through an improved choke and modified choke. The modified choke provides a pretty good pattern at ~20 yards but I'm looking for something at can do ~35 yards if its possible with a 20 gauge.

Should I step up to a 3" shell - I think so. I'm going to try 3" Kent Fasteel in #2s as I hear they are good.

I'll be getting a 12 gauge in 8 months time so this year I'll be having to use the 20...

Basically what are the limits that you guys have experienced with the 20? What ounce of pellets/velocity has worked good for you at what range?

GeauxTide · September 21, 2009, 09:50 AM

In the LA marsh, the 20 was a novelty, even in 3" for ducks. They couldn't shoot with the standard 12, much less the 2.75 Mag. With the short shot string, don't expect very good results over 30 yards on geese.

Doyle · September 21, 2009, 10:57 AM

I'll agree that the 20ga isn't really suited for geese. With the requirement for steel shot, #4 just doesn't have the terminal energy to be an effective goose round. If you tried to go up to a more appropriate #2, then the 20ga just wouldn't have enough pellets to give a decent pattern at more than about 20 yds.

Demaiter · September 21, 2009, 11:29 AM

what are your thoughts on using a non-tox turkey load?

Doyle · September 21, 2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

what are your thoughts on using a non-tox turkey load?

I don't think I've ever seen a non-toxic turkey load other than steel. You might could try a bismouth load but it still wont' have the knockdown power of lead until you get to a #2 size (or even bigger).

For the price of a few boxes of bismouth loads, you can buy a good used 12ga.

zippy13 · September 21, 2009, 01:06 PM

You noticed -- the price of the "heavy" non-toxic loads is unbelievable.

Quote:

For the price of a few boxes of bismouth loads, you can buy a good used 12ga.

Or, perhaps a 10-ga steel slinging goose gun.

Locoweed · September 21, 2009, 01:26 PM

And you should be planning on using nothing less than a full choke so pattern that and see what you get.

impalacustom · September 21, 2009, 09:46 PM

I used to use 3 inch #1 Steel when I hunted waterfowl, never shot at geese with it though. It would reach out to about 40yards and bring down ducks once in a while but it was nothing to write home about. That was with a modified choke also.
If your using big steel don't use a full choke or your pattern will be terrible.

Dave McC · September 21, 2009, 10:04 PM

LP Brenzy did a test using a 20 gauge 870 and the 3" Hevishot load. Worked well out to 45 yards.

Hevishot is pricey, but I doubt there's better ammo made.

HTH....

September 21, 2009, 09:16 AM	#1
Demaiter Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2008 Posts: 242	20 Gauge goose loads Anyone have any recommendations? I'm shooting a 20 gauge BPS with 3" chambers. I bought some 2.75 #4's Remington Hevi Shot (before their Wingmaster HD) and it patterns like crap. I've shot through an improved choke and modified choke. The modified choke provides a pretty good pattern at ~20 yards but I'm looking for something at can do ~35 yards if its possible with a 20 gauge. Should I step up to a 3" shell - I think so. I'm going to try 3" Kent Fasteel in #2s as I hear they are good. I'll be getting a 12 gauge in 8 months time so this year I'll be having to use the 20... Basically what are the limits that you guys have experienced with the 20? What ounce of pellets/velocity has worked good for you at what range?

September 21, 2009, 09:50 AM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	In the LA marsh, the 20 was a novelty, even in 3" for ducks. They couldn't shoot with the standard 12, much less the 2.75 Mag. With the short shot string, don't expect very good results over 30 yards on geese.

September 21, 2009, 10:57 AM	#3
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I'll agree that the 20ga isn't really suited for geese. With the requirement for steel shot, #4 just doesn't have the terminal energy to be an effective goose round. If you tried to go up to a more appropriate #2, then the 20ga just wouldn't have enough pellets to give a decent pattern at more than about 20 yds.

September 21, 2009, 11:29 AM	#4
Demaiter Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2008 Posts: 242	what are your thoughts on using a non-tox turkey load?

September 21, 2009, 01:26 PM	#7
Locoweed Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 661	And you should be planning on using nothing less than a full choke so pattern that and see what you get.

September 21, 2009, 09:46 PM	#8
impalacustom Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 492	I used to use 3 inch #1 Steel when I hunted waterfowl, never shot at geese with it though. It would reach out to about 40yards and bring down ducks once in a while but it was nothing to write home about. That was with a modified choke also. If your using big steel don't use a full choke or your pattern will be terrible.

September 21, 2009, 10:04 PM	#9
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	LP Brenzy did a test using a 20 gauge 870 and the 3" Hevishot load. Worked well out to 45 yards. Hevishot is pricey, but I doubt there's better ammo made. HTH....