Remington Heavy shot and Canadian Geese

[cracked butt]

I broke down and bought a couple of boxes of Remington Heavyshot High velocity #2 3" magnums loads to try patterning. The patterns thay gave were outstanding in comparison to the typical BB and BBB steel shot loads I've used in the past for Canadian Geese. The stuff is a little more than 2x as expensive as the steel I've been shooting, but if the patterning and penetration I'm seeing as compared to steel holds up in the field, I don't think I'll ever shoot steel again.

The hunting I do is about 50/50 Pass shooting at low flying geese, or calling them in to dekes- depending on the day and how much time I have for hunting on a given day. I Haven't been alive long enough to have ever used anything but steel shot on waterfowl, and on Remington's website, I couldn't find any recommendations of shot size usage. The smallest shot size I've used on geese were #2 steel and only on foggy days when I could get them in close.

Anyone have any experience wit hthis stuff? Would No2 Heavy shot suffice for Geese? What size for smaller water fowl such as Mallards and smaller, #6s?

ANyone use other brands of nonsteel non-toxic shot and have good results?

 

[ietrash]

I've used Hevi-Shot the last two years(not exclusively) for ducks. It is pricey, but it does work. I've been waterfowl hunting since the late sixtys, so I do remember the days of lead shot. You're selections of shot sizes is pretty much right on. If you're duck hunting in timber over decoys, #6 is perfect. However, if you're hunting open water, or fields, I'd go with #4.
You'll see far less cripples with Hevi-Shot than with steel.

I hope you have a good season this year.(and me too! )

 

[Kingcreek]

I've been using the HeviShot for the past 2 years also. Right on with #2s for the geese and either 4s or 6s for the ducks. I still carry a few cheaper steel "swatter" loads for the occaisional cripple on the water. HeviShot is worth the extra $$$.
my experience with other non-tox options: tungston matrix is OK, bismuth sucks

 

[SteelyDan]

I've shot Bismuth and Tungsten, but have to admit I've never even heard of the Hevi-Shot before. What's it made of?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Hevishot 2s are the instrument of choice on MD's Eastern shore for geese, both Canadas and Snows. 4s see more use on ducks than 6s, though I used to take a fair number of Mallards with lead 6s over decoys or jumpshooting from canoes.

H-2s work better than steel BBBs.