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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 942
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 942 |
I have gotten back in to goose hunting a little after a long time. Anybody notice a significant advantage using Black Cloud or other specialized shotgun shells? Thanks Marty
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 860
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 860 |
I have found pretty much all of those fancy steel loads to be gimmicks. I've gone back to shooting Federal Blue Box and am killing as many birds as I ever have. The only loads worth spending extra on are the high density shot, like Hevi Shot, Bismuth, etc and if you go that route step down a few sizes in shot size.
I like 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 oz of B's or 1's for geese. BB's if shots are a little further.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 198
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 198 |
We shoot a LOT of geese. Our season runs basically from early Sept. to early March (with a few breaks) I shoot either Winchester Suoer X or Score BBs 1550s 3". For late season birds I load a 3.5" first so it's my last shot. When one of those Kevlar coated honkers is hard hit but making a fast exit, that last 3.5" hail Mary can make the difference between a bird in the bag and one going off to die in the marsh. As for Black Cloud and Blind Side IMO they are over priced gimmicks with little or no real world value
Last edited by FoxtonGundogs; 08/21/15.
BORN to HUNT
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 483
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 483 |
I'm another firm believer in Blue box federals. I use BB or BBB, and like to get the 1550fps shells. Never had an issue with them knocking birds down and they cost half as much. When it all comes down to it, it's all just steel shot. Weather it has a little disc around the pellet or its shaped like a hex cube, it's just steel.
Now if you're talking about heavy shot, bismuth, or those kinds of shells, they do perform better, and hit harder, but you'll be spending double the money for only 10 shells. Not worth switching for this broke waterfowler.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,495
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,495 |
My experience mirrors the above with the addition of a Patternmaster tube.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,517
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,517 |
I use Federal blue box, 3", 1 1/8 oz, 1550 fps, #2's up until mid December pretty much, then switch to BB's, as the feathers and down thicken up. Tried BBB's a few times last season, and they blew some geese out of the sky. I bought a case for this season. I'll see if that size makes a diff.
Last edited by splattermatic; 08/22/15.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,311
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,311 |
I like both Hevi Metal 3 1/2 BB's or BBB's as well as Black Cloud. A lot of guys I hunt with shoot Kent 1's or BB's and like them.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17,101
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17,101 |
Of the steel specialty loads the best are Hevi-Metal and Blind Side
The absolute best are hevi shot
Of the steel loads I shoot Federal bLue Box or Estate. All 3.5 in BB.
The government plans these shootings by targeting kids from kindergarten that the government thinks they can control with drugs until the appropriate time--DerbyDude
Whatever. Tell the oompa loompa's hey for me. [/quote]. LtPPowell
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,805 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,805 Likes: 2 |
gitem, what size in Hevi-Metal??
Molon Labe
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17,101
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17,101 |
I shoot BB and BBB. That gets dictated by the time of year and how the birds have been pressured. We have a growing bumber of "waterfowlers" around here that only know aboutbthe sport because they watched duck dynasty and grew a beard...sky busting is all they can do.
Early season where we are mostly shooting young of the year birds. i judt shoot whatever I had left over from the yesr before. i do not keep steel more than a year
The government plans these shootings by targeting kids from kindergarten that the government thinks they can control with drugs until the appropriate time--DerbyDude
Whatever. Tell the oompa loompa's hey for me. [/quote]. LtPPowell
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17,101
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17,101 |
My experience mirrors the above with the addition of a Patternmaster tube. All I shoot is a patternmaster From sporting clays on theough Grouse and Geese
The government plans these shootings by targeting kids from kindergarten that the government thinks they can control with drugs until the appropriate time--DerbyDude
Whatever. Tell the oompa loompa's hey for me. [/quote]. LtPPowell
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 483
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 483 |
I like my patternmaster when I'm doing the spring snow goose hunts, or if I'm hunting sea ducks. I really like my 10 gauge for the sea ducks though. During regular season, when I'm hunting over decoys I just haven't been able to beat my stock modified choke that came with the benelli.
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