Jump to content

Is 3 1/2" loads really necessary for ducks & geese up here in Canada? - steel only...


FISH-ON

Recommended Posts

Hi guys, need some opinions on the matter. I'm looking at possibly trading in my SBEII 12gau over to a 20gau. M2, and I'd be using it for turkey, small game and some water fowl, the reason for this I find i'm able to shoulder the smaller 20 alot easier over the 12. I'm 5'7 160lbs...from what i've read it seems some of the die-hard waterfowlers sware by 3 1/2" loads especially for geese of which i'd love to try this fall...any opinions would be appreciated

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are thousands of birds killed every year with 20 ga., 2-3/4" 12 ga., and 3" 12 ga. loads.

No, 3-1/2" is not necessary. All it does is put more shot in the pattern, and sometimes that can make a difference.

Edited by tucker301
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's the thing, I like shooting a 20ga here and there but it doesn't have enough pop for me when it comes to killing big ducks let alone geese.. you do not want to be under-gunned when pulling up on a flock of committed Honkers. Trust me on that one, I see it happen to my buddy all the time..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, the pellet count will be less in a 3" 20 gauge shell than it will be in 12 gauge load.

 

Don't believe that is accurate: if you have 1 1/8 of #2 steel the shot count will be around 141 (125 per oz). Therefore for any gauge the shot count for steel 1 1/8 of #2's will be 141. The difference is the energy each of the gauges will generate.

 

Scroll down to the chart on birdshot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_shell

Edited by crofton
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't believe that is accurate: if you have 1 1/8 of #2 steel the shot count will be around 141 (125 per oz). Therefore for any gauge the shot count for steel 1 1/8 of #2's will be 141. The difference is the energy each of the gauges will generate.

 

Scroll down to the chart on birdshot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_shell

 

You were right. Same cup size equals same number of pellets.

 

When I'm hunting geese though, especially Honkers, I only run 3 1/2's. Either #2's or BB with a Patternmaster Choke because I don't want to risk crippling one of these birds..

Edited by duckht183
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...