I usually just use federal game shok 23/4 11/8th oz shells at 1290 fps for bird hunting. I recently tried some rio high velocity 11/4oz rated at 1330 fps. The difference in recoil and report was actually quite a bit more than I expected. My dad asked me what I was using because to him it sounded like a propane cannon vs the usual bark. I thought it might gain me an edge over the standard but after a box of each the standards brought down more birds round per round than the hv. Would they be more useful in water fowl than small birds?
Standard vs high velocity #8 rounds
- Thread starter Csinn
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When you say birds, what type of birds. Bobwhite quail are a lot different than pheasant. The extra 40 fps probably makes little difference on game. But if you're used to shooting a slower load that extra speed could have you shooting in front of birds. For what you're doing the 1 1/8 oz loads should be fine. Maybe for bigger birds like pheasant that are only giving long range shots.
A 1 1/4 oz load of #8 shot will have about 50 more pellets in each shell than a 1 1/8 oz load. In theory you could use a more open choke and still have the same pattern density. A more open choke could mean some near misses would be a hit. Or a denser pattern on long shots.
Waterfowl, especially with steel shot requires big pellets. Most guys shoot 3" shells with 1 1/4 oz loads of #4 or #2 shot. Sometimes BB's if geese are in the mix. Steel is lighter than lead so 1 1/4 oz of steel is going to have a lot more pellets if using the same shot size. Most guys go up to about 1-2 sizes larger when using steel.
A 1 1/4 oz load of #8 shot will have about 50 more pellets in each shell than a 1 1/8 oz load. In theory you could use a more open choke and still have the same pattern density. A more open choke could mean some near misses would be a hit. Or a denser pattern on long shots.
Waterfowl, especially with steel shot requires big pellets. Most guys shoot 3" shells with 1 1/4 oz loads of #4 or #2 shot. Sometimes BB's if geese are in the mix. Steel is lighter than lead so 1 1/4 oz of steel is going to have a lot more pellets if using the same shot size. Most guys go up to about 1-2 sizes larger when using steel.
45/30-06OKIE
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well aren't most 2-3/4in 00 buckshot loads about 1-1/8th oz at 1300 something fps? do you have any 9 pellet 00 buck to compare?
rabid wombat
Member
Speed is lead….should not take high velocity to take most birds….
entropy
Member
The 1290 fps load is more than sufficient for upland birds up to game farm pheasants. For wild pheasants, that RIO load would give you the edge on birds getting up at 50 yards. I tried Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 1440 fps #5nickel plated on game farm birds last fall, and completely tore the head off a big rooster at 10 yards (full choke), a bit of overkill I'd say. The rest of that box will last me a long time as backup shots.
243winxb
Member
Buffered Copper Plated Lead Shot shells are going to outperform non- buffered plain lead pellet loads.
The higher velocity, more weight shot may deform lead pellets, opening patterns.
The higher velocity, more weight shot may deform lead pellets, opening patterns.
Jim Watson
Member
My Uncle said the cheap light loads just “picked” the birds while express loads kicked and cost. I got him some 3 1/4 - 1 1/4 #7 1/2 “pigeon loads” which was a good compromise.
Mostly starlings black birds and small seed eating birds
GooseGestapo
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That 3-1/4dr eq 1-1/4oz load is what was called a Live Pigeon load from when there were competitions using live birds. It or equivalent has been my preferred ALL PURPOSE 12ga load from doves to deer (using buck shot).
Either GreenDot, Unique, Win540, HS6, or LongShot have given me such loads.
Recoil is modest.
1300 fps is supposed to be the top speed for lead shot. if you push lead shot faster than that they supposedly begin to crush the pellets.
I've loaded high velocity steel and steel can go faster because its harder than lead. I like lead 7.5 shot for doves more than 8s, I don't know which birds you're shooting in August
I've loaded high velocity steel and steel can go faster because its harder than lead. I like lead 7.5 shot for doves more than 8s, I don't know which birds you're shooting in August
Leon tP
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I'm guessing you have about a 15% increase in recoil with the Rio stuff, but that's just a guess.
When you say the report is greater than the standard stuff, I have to believe the Rio ammo uses a larger charge of slower burning powder. What exactly that is, I have no idea. If you use Clays or TiteWad then you only need in the neighborhood of about 18 to 20 grains of either powder to get close to 1200 fps with a 1_1/8 oz load. Someone else can look up the exact numbers... If you use something slower like Universal you'll be using somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 grains to hit 1330 with 1_1/8 oz load and you'll likely have a higher exit pressure so it's gonna sound louder also. More powder, more gas generated, it has go somewhere and it'll also contribute to recoil.
Anyway, just guessing. I'm not there.
Finally, someone already mentioned that if the pellets deform too much before exiting the barrel, your shot pattern will suffer. Again, I have no idea about the loaded components for Rio brand shotgun shells so just guessing.
Since you're already having success with the standard stuff, I'd keep using that.
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