What are your guys favorite waterfowl loads, in terms of shot size and manufacture. Tried most of the big names (Fed, Win, Rem, Hevi Shot, Boss, Kent, Rio ect) but starting to see some smaller manufactures load some interesting loads. Migra with their stacked ammo, granted their not the first ones to do it, and Shotz with their "Pulverizer" steel #8 shot in 3in at 1500fps. Want to try them out but they also sound like a gimmick.

What's y'alls go to duck load?

Rio 3.5'' #2's. Kills em dead every time and its about 1/2 the price as the fancy stacked loads or exotic steels

#2 or #3 steel shot. I haven't noticed much difference in any of them really. Except the Winchester xperts seems to have a few shells that don't fire occasionally.

Black Cloud 1 1/4 oz 3" #3s.

I shot a case of Rios last year and when I switched back to the Black Cloud, it was a noticeable improvement. Less crippled ducks and shot pattern appeared to be more predictable. I had a number of water swat (crippled) shot with Rios that were not very tight.

I really like Kent #5 shot in a light modified choke. As long as you have a good choke that keeps your shot string from being too spread out, no issues with cripples.

Since we see so many teal I had a case of Kent #4 and shoot IC. I think my old shotgun just patterned them poorly. I bought a Mueller Passing choke and it is really nice on my new shotgun and just pulverizes the teal. I have seen guys who shoot very well use #6 on teal and very few cripples but I want my birds down. Now I think I could do a #6 with this choke. Big ducks are not going to stand a chance with all the #2 I have, may have to get to the pattern board and figure out what this new choke is going to do with different loads.

Early in the season I'll continue to shoot my Kent TealSteel for the first 2 weekends or so. Sometimes I'll also just start with a few #5/6 shells since we're normally busting teal at first light.

I was shooting only the #4's on teal and big ducks years back but had cripples on some big ducks sometimes but had a dog. Now that he is gone it's #2's, hoping this choke patterns the hevi shot well since I went ahead and bought a case on sale.

I've tried a bunch of them but like the HeviShot the best. I shoot their HeviTeal in 3" #6 during teal season and mix with their HeviHammer #2 during big ducks.

#2 might be overkill at times but it will knock down the geese pretty easily when they come in the spread.

This is almost all for hunting over open rice fields/marsh.

I did just buy a couple boxes of Boss 2.75" #4 that's safe to shoot in my 1920's vintage Stevens 12ga double that I inherited from my grandfather and been wanting to shoot some ducks with it and will report back on that. I've used the same shotgun a good bit for pheasant.

I like 2&3/4" #3 shot. I also think that all 3" does is kick more and makes it more difficult to reacquire your target. People who shoot 2&3/4" kill just as many ducks and just as far as 3" shooters.

I would like to try #6 Heavy Steel on teal next year too.

I'm usually taking longer shots, and 2 3/4 won't work unless it's dove or teal. During reg. season it's 3in #2's

John Cocktolstoy said:

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I'm usually taking longer shots, and 2 3/4 won't work unless it's dove or teal. During reg. season it's 3in #2's

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Take the leap to the roman candles.

You'll never go back and dont even notice the recoil difference after a few hunts

6.5 CM- of course. It's the best round for literally everything!

*Did I do it right?*

3" #4, 1 3/8 oz. Not picky on brands, but i do like Winchester and Kent the best, particularly the Blind side shells. Picked up three cases Browning 3" #2's and 4's last week that will be $90/case after mail-in rebate. Going to try Boss this year too.

I like 3" #4 or #5, if I can find them.

You listed the caliber, we're taking the specific load.

A better response would have been:

"143gr ELD-X, right to the nuts"

Winchester X-Pert 3" #4s have been my go-to for as long as I can remember, paired with an old Italian-made Beretta 390 12 gauge with an Improved Cylinder Choke.

Remington nitro mag. 4. Lead

12ga.

3" Boss Warchief #5 for teal, 3/5 for farm ponds or little water, #4 for big ducks, #2's if honkers around.

Winchester Drylok 3" #2's pattern well for me too.

Long range special.

Now we're talking

Mas89 said:

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Long range special.

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I've heard it said that 3.5" shells are for people who can't shoot.

Peters low brass lead #4 shot. Obviously, not legal any more, but it was the best load I ever shot.

3" 3s or 4s is my preferred.

If you run the numbers, both meet out really well on long range FPS and velocity.

Peters Power Pistons Puts more Pellets in your Pattern!

I can tell you what to avoid. Bioammo. Water/humidity plus Bioammo equals jammed shotguns/misfires.

Season Shot pre seasoned duck hunting shells. The pellets ARE tightly packed seasoning.... only thing that kills ducks. Look it up....It's a real thing with different flavors to season your ducks while you shoot....

I use and rent to my customers 20ga with 3" #2....usually Kent Fasteel.

TarponChaser said:

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Mas89 said:

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Long range special.

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I've heard it said that 3.5" shells are for people who can't shoot.

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Long before the 12 gauge loads, several of us still in high school bought long barrel, single shot 10 ga. guns to take along into the goose spreads. I still remember several Hail Mary shots bringing down a high altitude lone snow occasionally. Good times. This remaining box has been on a few hunts and probably came from Oshman's.

3" #4's in whatever brand is on sale.

2 3/4" Boss #5.

Quality bismuth is worth it, IMO.

I find I hit more ducks with fewer shots because I'm not blowing my shoulder up with 3" #2 @1550 fps

CS78 said:

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Peters Power Pistons Puts more Pellets in your Pattern!

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