With different shot materials, pellet shapes, and configurations available, wildfowling has become as much a science as it is a sport. Many hunters may be puzzled as to which load is best for their duck and goose hunting. Shot like Kent’s Tungsten Matrix and Environ-Metal’s Classic Doubles are for older shotguns, but then there’s Black Cloud, Blind Side, and Hevi Shot, which makes selection more difficult. These guidelines, broken down by species and size, should make shell buying easier
1. Small Ducks
Teal
Kent TealSteel 12 ga., 3-in., 1,350 fps, 1¼ oz.,
No. 5 & 6 steel
Effective Range 30 yards
Recoil 35 ft.-lb.
MSRP $13/25 rounds
kentgamebore.com
Because of this speedster’s size and erratic flight, small pellets are desirable to fill a wide pattern from a Skeet- or Improved Cylinder – choked gun.
2. Medium Ducks
Gadwalls, Wood Ducks, Wigeon, Scaup
Federal Black Cloud
12 ga., 3-in., 1,450 fps, 1¼ oz., No. 3
Also consider
Winchester DryLok: 12 ga., 3-in., 1,265 fps, 1 3/8 oz., No. 4; or Kent Fasteel: 12 ga., 3-in., 1,300 fps, 1 3/8 oz., No. 3
Effective Range 50 yards
Recoil 39 ft.-lb.
MSRP $23/25 rounds
federalpremium.com
For medium-size ducks over decoys or close passing shots, the traditional 3-inch load of 1¼ ounces of No. 3s provides good pattern density and power over normal ranges; also an excellent all-around swatter load.
3. Large Ducks
Mallards, Canvasbacks, Small Sea Ducks,
Small Geese (Cacklers and Ross Geese)
Remington HyperSonic Steel
12 ga., 3-in., 1,700 fps, 1¼ oz., No. 2
Effective Range 50 yards
Recoil 52 ft.-lb.
MSRP $26/25 rounds
remington.com
The high velocity delivered by this load increases the effective killing range on large ducks. However, don’t be tempted to stretch your gun barrel beyond ranges at which you shoot well.
4. Large Geese
