Patterns for Geese - Can you post pictures of your patterns

[Jerry D]

I've been trying to find a good factory goose load for my 20 gauge... but really I don't know how many pellets or what kind of density I need.

Can you guys post pictures of your patterns that you feel are acceptable and good out to ___ range.


I tried patterning heavy shot #4's - 2 3/4" shell and my patterns were terrible with my skeet/improved modified choke that came with my browning BPS.

I don't know if I should by an aftermarket choke or if I should try different loads? I'm going to be trying Kent Fasteel no.2's next weekend but being I can't get out to the range now I want to look up chokes/good loads so I should know what to aim at.

Any helpful tips/patterns/ideas/ammo recommendations are welcome. Thanks. My shots will be close range when their landing - 20-35 yards at most probably.

 

[chas08]

Thanks. My shots will be close range when their landing - 20-35 yards at most probably.

It must be nice to get them that close. This far south they are almost twice that distance when they are landing in your spread. I have no experience with geese and a 20 ga. Have you considered an extended turkey choke made for Hevi-Shot?

 

[Jerry D]

I did consider that as I know those give really tight patterns - Only problem I see is that a lot of guys use smaller shot like 6. Would hevi shot 6 work good? I'm thinking I need hevi shot in size 4's would be ideal which I tried but my patterns are literally so bad that I could miss a goose entirely at 40 yards.

 

[chas08]

The only way to know is to buy or borrow one and put it on paper. I've got to ask, Why have you chosen a 20 ga for Goose hunting. I know tactics and ranges vary from region to region. On my Fatherinlaw's farm in North Carolina getting 25yds from a Greater Canadian is no big deal when they are there. But here in South Texas, it's mostly Snow geese and a 45-50 yd shot is considered close, except on rare occasions when weather, birds, and location all come together. So here we favor 12 gauges at minimum and many, including me, use a 10 gauge. Is your 20 ga 3inch Mag capable

 

[JimKirk]

Have you tried any 3" shells? Your BPS has a 3" Chamber right? I think I would try one of the extended chokes by Briley, Carlson or one of the other makers. I've shoot some Federal 3" #4 steel that patterned fairly well enough for ducks using a (IM)Improved Modified choke. Never shot and geese though!

Jimmy K

 

[MCgunner]

I don't find that 20 gauge 3" patterns too great at least with steel 4s. It's good enough for teal up close to 30-35 yards, but I really prefer the 12 even on ducks beyond 30-35. I occasionally use the 20 early in the season or special teal season because it's so quick on the little toots, but GEESE? SHEESH! I bought a 10 gauge because 12 wasn't cutting it with steel shot. BB hevi shot works if you can afford it in 3" 12 gauge.

Anyway, I think you need another shotgun. 20 gauges are great dove and upland guns, even teal and ducks to a point, but they have their limits even with hevi shot on such as geese and cranes. I know I've killed a lot of ducks with 2 3/4" number 5 lead back in the day, but steel sorta changed the game. Hevi shot is a good substitute if you need lead performance, works better than lead, really, but I've NEVER used 20s on geese, not even back in the lead shot good old days. My first goose gun was a 16 and I graduated to a 12 pretty quickly. Now days, like chas, I have a 10.

You say you have 'em in close, 25 yards. I know my 3" 20s pattern well enough for teal at that range. I suppose so long as you keep your range limits, a number 4 hevi shot 3" would maybe work. I think I'd prefer 2s, but up to you I guess. Geese are big birds and take a big pellet to knock down. Hevi shot 2s inside 30-35 yards should do it, though. I know BB steel is okay to that range. I think you're finding out, though, that the bigger shot throws a lot thinner pattern in 20 2 3/4".

The 3" 20 holds more shot for the pattern, as much as 12 gauge 2 3/4", but I've not really had great results at the pattern board with the 3" 20, either, not as good as bigger gauges with the same shot charge weight. I think it's to do with the length of the case vs diameter. I fiind the same thing between 12 gauge 3.5" and 10 gauge 3.5", why I like the 10. I'm getting 95 percent 40 yard patterns on a 30" pattern board with 10 gauge T shot. That's what gits'er dun down here.

 

[Jerry D]

Well thing is I'm only going out for one weekend this year... Currently I only have a 20 gauge that is rated for steel. I only want one or two geese and then I'll be calling it quits for this year's season which is why I want to make due with the 20... I'll be getting a very nice 12 gauge in 8 months time...

I'm going to try some more loads and if that doesn't pan out, try another choke with all the loads and if that doesn't pan out, pass for this year and buy a nice 12 for next year.

 

[chas08]

think you're finding out, though, that the bigger shot throws a lot thinner pattern in 20 2 3/4".

That's what it all boils down to. More pellets = denser pattern @ longer distance. A .410 would kill a goose at 50 yds if you get the "Golden BB" (the one that hits the vitals) But if your shooting T-shot you would probably only have 5 pellets in the shell vs 90 or so in a 10 ga. So it's not hard to do the math.

I'm going to try some more loads and if that doesn't pan out, try another choke with all the loads and if that doesn't pan out, pass for this year and buy a nice 12 for next year.

Don't miss out on an opportunity. Go and have fun and if you're not comfortable with the distance of a given shot just don't take it. Make sure when you buy your 12ga, That it has at least 3inch chambers and if you ever plan to shoot large steel shot such as "T" a 3.5 inch chamber wouldn't be out of the question. Best wishes ....chas

 

[MCgunner]

Do give some 3" 2s a try.

 

[Jerry D]

Just shot 3" no.2 7/8oz load @1550 - On a newspaper 2'x2' or so I got 89 hits @30 yards. About 70%, nice spread, evenly distributed.

Going to shoot a few more to get a better average.

Estimated that there are about 125 pellets or so in this load - how many hits should I have in a 36" circle would you fella's think?

 

[MCgunner]

Really, just look for even distribution. If there aren't any holes big enough for a goose to avoid several killing hits, it's good enough. That fast steel stuff, 1550 fps (with that velocity, I assume it's steel, not hevi shot), is killer. It'd work fine to 30, even 35 yards with several good hits.

Normally, I draw a 30" circle on freezer paper two sheets wide and mark the middle. If I can get 80+ percent in it at 40 yards, it's way good assuming I'm looking for a full choke tight pattern, so long as the distribution is even. 70 percent will work, but I strive for 80+. You're working at 30 yards, so stick with that. Sounds like you got a pretty good pattern there, tell ya the truth, on a 2x2 ft paper. It should be fine.

 

[chaser_2332]

if i were goin to shoot a 20ga a geese at minimum i would use a pattern master choke and spend a little money on some high density shot like kent tungston matrix of at least #2 i think it will be well worth your gamble. i understand you not wanted to upgrade shotguns for one hunt but you also dont want to bring a knife to a gun fight.

 

[DBR]

Pattern Master chokes really work especially for the larger shot sizes. Call up and ask for Mike (the owner). He is a avid hunter and won't BS you. See what he suggests.

http://www.patternmaster.com/

 

[earlthegoat2]

I honestly use the factory modified choke with 3" Hevi-Shot and get good hits out to 35 yds. I use the 20 gauge within its limits which is just what you have to discipline yourself to do if you choose to use the 20.

Unfortunately like everyone else so far I cannot post pictures of my patterns as I have never patterned it. Yep.

 

[John Peddie]

I was out this weekend, shooting a BPS 20 ga. 3". I used some Hevi Shot and some fast steel, both with # 3 shot.

We get an unpredictable variety of birds in a morning-teal to Canada geese, and everything in between. You can't go too large on the shot size (for the geese) or your pattern will be too patchy for the teal; and there's no time to unload and switch to larger shot if geese happen by.

Result?

Both types of ammo did very well, one shot kills. At 25 yds., the geese just folded, same as they used to do with #6 lead.

I wouldn't want a 20 ga for much over 30-35 yds., but if you stay within range, it works just fine.