First pattern the ammo, there are so many variables that this is mandatory.My Benelli with steel shot gives extra full full pattern with MOD choke ! Find the effective range and don't exceed that. I use 3" BB steel which has an effective range of 25-45 yds.
Help Pick My New Goose Load....
- Thread starter Dave McCracken
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redneck2
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This is true. Nothing beats experience. Perhaps (and I suspect) steel has improved since it first came out. The loads I shot were probably considerably slower than the ones now. Speed kills...period.
Now, I've not shot nearly the game you have, however, I know three things:
The steel loads I used were total crap. When I cleaned the geese the shot was under the feathers laying against the skin on the breast. These were "T"'s IIRC
The guys I hunted with last year used steel and the results were far from impressive
I used tungsten and whacked the geese...hard
YMMV
I've got an idea that might answer some questions. A few years ago at our shop I saw three pieces of of light gauge sheet metal that had been set at 40 yards and hit with 3 different loads. Steel barely dented it. Lead made deep dents. Tungsten blew right thru. It'd be something to try.
There is no question that the tungstens and hevi types of shot carry more energy downrange. The question is how much is needed? Please don't take this the wrong way, but until a tin-to-goose correction factor is developed the test on tin doesn't tell me anything other than it carries more energy downrange.
Steel 2's will pass through an adult mallard at 50 yards, they will penetrate to the vitals on a giant canada goose too from any angle. Steel BBB will pass through a goose at 50 yards from most angles.
Most guys use open chokes with steel, just like the books say they should. They never pattern the gun either, if they would they would see that they have nice patterns with good distribution but they don't put but one or two pellets on the bird per shot past about 30 yards. Tighter chokes like a full essentially wreck the pattern in a classical sense, 1/4 to 1/2 of the shot won't even land on the pattern board at 40 yards. What shot is left however stays in a nice dense pattern, and you can put multiple pellets on the bird per shot.
I have found that I need 3 #2 steel pellets on a mallard to kill it cleanly, I need at least 5 on a goose. Find out what choke and load does that for you, then find out at what distance that becomes impossible. Now you have a combination you can trust, and you know what your maximum effective range is.
Steel 2's will pass through an adult mallard at 50 yards, they will penetrate to the vitals on a giant canada goose too from any angle. Steel BBB will pass through a goose at 50 yards from most angles.
Most guys use open chokes with steel, just like the books say they should. They never pattern the gun either, if they would they would see that they have nice patterns with good distribution but they don't put but one or two pellets on the bird per shot past about 30 yards. Tighter chokes like a full essentially wreck the pattern in a classical sense, 1/4 to 1/2 of the shot won't even land on the pattern board at 40 yards. What shot is left however stays in a nice dense pattern, and you can put multiple pellets on the bird per shot.
I have found that I need 3 #2 steel pellets on a mallard to kill it cleanly, I need at least 5 on a goose. Find out what choke and load does that for you, then find out at what distance that becomes impossible. Now you have a combination you can trust, and you know what your maximum effective range is.
redneck2
Member
Haven't researched variations on brands of steel to check velocity
maybe (probably) the brand makes a big difference
maybe (probably) the brand makes a big difference
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
My patterning with Hevi-2s consisted of just two rounds. I cobbled a target together and shot at a paced 32 yards. Both patterns were a tad high of center, and ran 25-26" with only a couple flyers out. I stopped right there, since that was the results I wanted.
The older BBB loads were best with a Mod, giving me more like 50/50 and 28". The fringe was more ragged.
These have worked on Snows, though second shots were needed sometimes. I did get some complete pass throughs. They may work better from the 30" barrel, I used Frank's 21" barrel before and maybe a little mo' speed will help.
Besides the foray in November, I'd like to do a late season Snow safari if time allows. Right now, I'm down to 44 hours a week and almost feel like I'm working part time.
If I ever hit the Lottery, I'm gonna have a goose blind for every month of the year with an R in its name....
The older BBB loads were best with a Mod, giving me more like 50/50 and 28". The fringe was more ragged.
These have worked on Snows, though second shots were needed sometimes. I did get some complete pass throughs. They may work better from the 30" barrel, I used Frank's 21" barrel before and maybe a little mo' speed will help.
Besides the foray in November, I'd like to do a late season Snow safari if time allows. Right now, I'm down to 44 hours a week and almost feel like I'm working part time.
If I ever hit the Lottery, I'm gonna have a goose blind for every month of the year with an R in its name....
berettashotgun
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SINCE you didn't give the distance you will be shooting, like anyone ever actually knows, most "pet loads" are/were developed for the scenarios we/I face. I used to use( traded up to a gold 10
) a 3" beretta 303 30"; factory extended .705 choke, fed hulls, win primers, 36gr "STEEL" powder, 1- 1/4 #1 nickle plated shot from Precision reloading, BP "Tuff" wads (2.75") , one 1/8" felt under the shot and 1 over the shot. eighth inch crimp,no more or the pressure went out the roof. Works great on canada geese including the condor sized models out to 55 yards, crapshoot/unethical beyond. Hearing protection is desirable as the steel powder is exceptionally loud for some unknown reason to me. BTW~ I'm looking at 14 boxes of hevi #5 turkey loads I picked up for the little woman to goose hunt with, and I measured my goose pass shooting spot with a lieca range finder.man I was mistaken about the range before edit: used win supreme once, BB and was happy except for the price.
) a 3" beretta 303 30"; factory extended .705 choke, fed hulls, win primers, 36gr "STEEL" powder, 1- 1/4 #1 nickle plated shot from Precision reloading, BP "Tuff" wads (2.75") , one 1/8" felt under the shot and 1 over the shot. eighth inch crimp,no more or the pressure went out the roof. Works great on canada geese including the condor sized models out to 55 yards, crapshoot/unethical beyond. Hearing protection is desirable as the steel powder is exceptionally loud for some unknown reason to me. BTW~ I'm looking at 14 boxes of hevi #5 turkey loads I picked up for the little woman to goose hunt with, and I measured my goose pass shooting spot with a lieca range finder.man I was mistaken about the range before edit: used win supreme once, BB and was happy except for the price.I'm also a big fan of the Fasteel. Some buddies and I pass-shoot ducks at pretty long ranges with 'em. Several years ago, we all tried several different loads, and every duck we felled went to one Fasteel load: the 3" BBs (1 and 1/8 oz.) running at 1550fps (according to their website).
Part number K123ST32.
Might have been a statistical accident, but we pretty much stndardized on that load after that. Its pretty economical, and patterns well in my 870.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Thanks, guys, Here's the update...
Decided to stick with Hevishot, so I went and bought 20 rounds at Gunz R Us. Got home and found my old rounds in a coat I wore a while back.
Memory's a $%^&* after 55......
BTW, range should be about 35 yards at most.
Decided to stick with Hevishot, so I went and bought 20 rounds at Gunz R Us. Got home and found my old rounds in a coat I wore a while back.
Memory's a $%^&* after 55......
BTW, range should be about 35 yards at most.
bosshoff
Member
This is off of Remington's website: For waterfowl hunters, where the shell usage is generally much higher, Remington recommends using chokes recommended for steel shot pellets. That is – skeet, IC, modified and full – “lead or steel”.
I guess I should have stated that my Remchoke says right on it that is approved for use with steel loads.
Concerning Dave and Trapper and my attempt at a little comedy about a "refresher", I guess I should have added a couple of these
"Don't you guys know its all ball bearings these days, what do you need a refresher course?"---Fletch
This board is a great place for info, and a little fun, but don't get so serious. My point was that Canadian Geese are BIG birds. I generally use a modified choke on smaller birds like Grouse at closer ranges. You know how many shells I shoot a year? Maybe 400, now where near 8,000 plus. You know how many Canadian Geese are allowed per day in the Northern zone of Illinois? Try (2) two per day. I can't say that I have patterned my 870 using steel at 50 yards. I can say that I limited out the last time I went goose hunting last fall. I only offered an opinion based on my own personal experience. Who knows, maybe my gun will pattern better with a Modified choke? That's why I read this forum.
I guess I should have stated that my Remchoke says right on it that is approved for use with steel loads.
Concerning Dave and Trapper and my attempt at a little comedy about a "refresher", I guess I should have added a couple of these
"Don't you guys know its all ball bearings these days, what do you need a refresher course?"---Fletch
This board is a great place for info, and a little fun, but don't get so serious. My point was that Canadian Geese are BIG birds. I generally use a modified choke on smaller birds like Grouse at closer ranges. You know how many shells I shoot a year? Maybe 400, now where near 8,000 plus. You know how many Canadian Geese are allowed per day in the Northern zone of Illinois? Try (2) two per day. I can't say that I have patterned my 870 using steel at 50 yards. I can say that I limited out the last time I went goose hunting last fall. I only offered an opinion based on my own personal experience. Who knows, maybe my gun will pattern better with a Modified choke? That's why I read this forum.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Sorry, Boss, it's hard to tell joshing sometimes in print.
Do pattern, you may find a better choke and up your chances of going 2 for 2.
Do pattern, you may find a better choke and up your chances of going 2 for 2.
Scoupe
Member
Hevi Shot #2s in 3" works for me. Mod choke for geese.
Canada = a country, a species of goose
Canadian = a person or thing from Canada
Canadien = plays hockey in a red sweater
Canada = a country, a species of goose
Canadian = a person or thing from Canada
Canadien = plays hockey in a red sweater
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