Best Duck Loads: How to Pick the Right Shell for the Right Bird

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

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

Canadas and Large Sea Ducks

Hevi-Shot Speed Ball
12 ga., 3-in., 1,635 fps, 1¼ oz., No. 1
Effective Range: 50 yards
Recoil: 48 ft.-lb.
MSRP: $25/10 rounds
hevishot.com

These tungsten-steel pellets pack the heavy punch often needed to bag Canadas and tough sea ducks like eiders and scoters. They’re expensive but worth it to ensure clean kills.

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