Century Old Article on Duck Guns and Loads You'll Appreciate

[Eric Patterson]

While working on the Resources section I came across this article on duck guns and loads. The no-nonsense information with non-pretentious facts and not a single product endorsement is a joy to read. I'll tell you folks something, Forest and Stream was an amazing publication. I'm addicted to it.

So I'll ask, how does the lethality that a 10 gauge lead 1 5/8 oz 2 shot shell put on a duck stack up with today's offerings?

 

[Steve Sanford]

Thanks again, Eric!

Although our farm turns 200 next year, my trusted and cherished Winchester Model 12 will turn a mere 100....

All the best,

SJS

 

[Lawrence Kotchek]

I shoot ducks with short 2 7/8"10 gauge doubles often

 

[Eric Patterson]

Reading the article has me excited about taking the Super Fox out this hunting season. It's no 10 gauge, but should put more pellets on the target than others options I have.

 

[Rod VanZile]

I love my vintage Remington 1100 with 30 inch barrel and fixed full choke. It still kills ducks and geese with standard steel loads. And as a bonus, I get to look at natural wood dressing on this piece while sitting in the blind.

RVZ

 

[Richard Lathrop]

Interesting article. I like the photo of the gentleman in the sneakbox.

Rick

 

[Eric Patterson]

He look serious, doesn't he? Perhaps he's a market hunter and it is a job and not a hobby.

 

[Eric Patterson]

I bet he could really start an argument today with a statement like this.

"High velocity is merely wasting energy against your shoulder, blowing up patterns and getting shot out to your duck with practically none of the added speed left. Air resistance mounts up so fast with increase in shot speed that at 60 or 70 yards there is no practical difference in the killing qualities of a No. 4 pellet that left the gun at 1,400 ft. or at 1,500 ft. "

 

[greg setter]

These are really interesting articles and I appreciate your work in putting them up here. I'm printing this one to read tonight. It's a great library of waterfowling.

 

[Richard Lathrop]

He look serious, doesn't he? Perhaps he's a market hunter and it is a job and not a hobby.

Market hunting was outlawed by 1921? Maybe a guide. Great photo of a sneakbox in its element.

 

[Eric Patterson]

Yes, the article is from 1928 and market hunting was done away with a decade earlier, but maybe it was a stock photo.

 

[Lawrence Kotchek]

there was still plenty of market hunting in 1928 and a lot later too

 

[Eric Patterson]

there was still plenty of market hunting in 1928 and a lot later too

There was. It really does take a while to get something to stop. You kind of have to wait for a generation to die off. Hell, they still make moonshine!

 

[Lawrence Kotchek]

if you look, one of the ads in the article was selling live decoys (callers)

 

[Eric Patterson]

I didn't notice that one. I have run across more than a few ads for guide services that offered hunting batteries and over live decoys.

 

[Rick Pierce]

Nash Buckingham wrote the article about "are we hunting with 8 gauge guns?" or similar title as well.

The largest shot load I ever put through my 10 was 1-3/4 ounces, with the exception of a lead turkey load that was 2-1/4.

I wish we could go back to the days where a 1 or 1-1/4 ounce lead load in a 2-3/4" shell was plenty, but I also admit that I would gladly get behind a regulation to allow 8-gauge guns built before a certain date, since the shot loads really aren't that much different than what some of the guns are putting out today. But since I know the gun companies would want to lobby for a 4" 8-gauge magnum with 3-1/2 ounces of shot that "kills gooder", I keep my mouth shut.

I do know that Tom Armbruster and another guy were lobbying USFWS to allow the use of 8-gauge guns during the snow goose special conservation season. I don't know how far they've gotten.

I think personally we should give the green light to punt guns for snows at this point.