Hunting Question

Rich T

Rich T

Member
This will be my fourth year hunting and I am making preperation to get ready and really hunt this year. In the past I have used Kent Matrix Tungsten #5's & #6's. However, with the recent changes in prices I have went from $28 a box; and now they are upto $55 dollars a box. I mostly use a over decoys choke and keep my shots under 35 yards... I can buy a case (10) boxes of steel shells (25 to a box) for half the price of five boxes of tungsten (10 to a box). My question is what size steel shot do I use for dabblers over decoys...

I guess the math makes it easy

50 shells of Tungsten = $275
250 shells of steel = $125
 
If you are 100% sure all your shots will be under 35 yards and only ducks then 4's like Lee said but I go with 2's and 3's. I really like fasteel in 2's for all around waterfowling and even pheasants if I go after them. At true decoying range I doubt you will notice ducks being any less dead with steel.

Tim
 
If you are 100% sure all your shots will be under 35 yards and only ducks then 4's like Lee said but I go with 2's and 3's. I really like fasteel in 2's for all around waterfowling and even pheasants if I go after them. At true decoying range I doubt you will notice ducks being any less dead with steel.

Tim
Click to expand...



Tim,

If you want to increase your killing power... get one of those "meat stick" stickers for your shotgun barrel that Mack's has. I saw them the other day when I was ordering Jen a bikini in Max-4 - got one for all my guns.

T
 
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Tim,

If you want to increase your killing power... get one of those "meat stick" stickers for your shotgun barrel that Mack's has. I saw them the other day when I was ordering Jen a bikini in Max-4 - got one for all my guns.

T
[/QUOTE]


Thanks Tod,

LOL! Now I have to clean my diet pepsi from my LCD monitor! That was too funny!
 
Kent Faststeel #4 if your shots are under 35 yards. Yep, I concur. I sed these last year for the honey hole shots and used the #2's for the scaup in Canada. You'll like the Kent shells.

Mark W
 
I shoot 4's and 3's in the early part of the season and transition to 2's later in the year and if geese/brant are in the area. Whatever you decide, get a test box and hit the patterning board first. I've had mixed results with 2's in chokes that patterned smaller shot well. On birds that are decoying well I don't think you'll mind shooting steel. Another option no one mentioned is Hevi-Steel. I shot about 4 boxes of it and was impressed. I had 4's and 6's and did well with it, seems like a middle ground between steel and rediculously priced non-toxics.

Gene
 
I'm in the same boat as you. All i have shot was hevi-shot for the past 4 years and now I am switching to winchester supreme #2. Most of my shooting is under 40 yards for ducks and less than 30 for geese so #2 will work fine for me for everything.
 
I'm glad someone else saw those barrel stickers from Mack's. I used to think Mack's Prairie Wings was a class outfit but that all went down the crapper with those stupid stickers. What the HELL??????????????? Doesn't anyone there have a concept of public relations?? (venting over, thank you)
 
Pattern density kills. Try a few loads and choke combinations on a pattern board. Use the combination that puts the highest percentage of pellets in a 30 inch circle at 30 yards. Practice shooting that load under similar conditions. I use #6 steel for 99% of my dabblers over decoys. They couldn't be dead-er. Maybe if I get a "meat Stick" decal they would be deader than dead. Gotta look into that.
 
If you are 100% sure all your shots will be under 35 yards and only ducks then 4's like Lee said but I go with 2's and 3's. I really like fasteel in 2's for all around waterfowling and even pheasants if I go after them. At true decoying range I doubt you will notice ducks being any less dead with steel.

Tim
Click to expand...



Tim,

If you want to increase your killing power... get one of those "meat stick" stickers for your shotgun barrel that Mack's has. I saw them the other day when I was ordering Jen a bikini in Max-4 - got one for all my guns.

T
Click to expand...


Heck I just painted "Hammer Time!" on the stock of my Winchester, if I put a sticker on saying "Meat Stick" people might think I'm a porn star.
I'd almost get a "Widower Maker" if they made one just to P.O. people. hehehe
Hope Jen likes here new swim wear, it'll be great for trip since you are going early enough for some warm water.

Tim
 
My partner & I have used Estate 3" 1 1/4 oz #4s for the last 7 years. They have worked great for us.
A couple of years back, I bought a case of Rio 3" 1 1/4 oz #3s from Able Ammo, they were on sale for $79.00/case delivered. I used a couple of boxes and they worked fine.
 
If you are 100% sure all your shots will be under 35 yards and only ducks then 4's like Lee said but I go with 2's and 3's. I really like fasteel in 2's for all around waterfowling and even pheasants if I go after them. At true decoying range I doubt you will notice ducks being any less dead with steel.

Tim
Click to expand...



Tim,

If you want to increase your killing power... get one of those "meat stick" stickers for your shotgun barrel that Mack's has. I saw them the other day when I was ordering Jen a bikini in Max-4 - got one for all my guns.

T
Click to expand...


Heck I just painted "Hammer Time!" on the stock of my Winchester, if I put a sticker on saying "Meat Stick" people might think I'm a porn star.
I'd almost get a "Widower Maker" if they made one just to P.O. people. hehehe
Hope Jen likes here new swim wear, it'll be great for trip since you are going early enough for some warm water.

Tim
Click to expand...
Most guys that use those stickers should probably have "Widower Maker" on their "meatsticks".
 
Why I didn't see this post before but then to find some who responds who talks about pattern density!!! WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! It's all about ego and who has the biggest "meatstick". Virtually any load will kill a duck inside 30yds. After that it's 100% confidence in what you're shooting. My best advice is don't listen to anyone, shoot a bunch of different sizes and brands, pattern boards, clays, then ducks see which one works best for YOU.

Tod,
I can fill up a stock tank from the well so you and Jen can try out the new suit if you swing by!
 
If you want to split the difference, try Hevisteel. It's between hevi shot and steel both on performance and price. Last I saw they were about $30/25.
 
I shot a case of Hevi steel #6 last year and LOVE IT. It did well in a number of conditions and killed them as dead as need be.

Density is important and the exact reason the #6's worked well for me. There are a whole lot of them in 1 1/8 oz. and they're going nice and fast.

Definitely buy a bunch of brands and go shoot some paper.

In steel I like Kent fast steel in #4 3" an Win drylok #2 1 1/4 oz. 3"

-D
 
12 gage no.4 early season then I switch to no. 2 or no. 1 for the later season hunts.
I also use and like whe win dryloc
 
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