Difference in Shot Size
Midwest Flyways Tips
Where to Start
When selecting a size of shot for duck hunting there are different factors that come into play. The best way to start making decision is to understand that inside each shell is a different amount and size of BB’s. Bigger shot size=more BB’s of smaller size. Small shot size=less BB’s but bigger in size of BB. The bigger or smaller the shell length the more BB’s they can jam inside.
DUCK:
When selecting shot size for duck hunting, you’re mostly looking at everything from 2 to 6 shot. From our stance, we don’t really recommend using anything larger than a 4. Again, this is simply our recommendation but you could usually catch us using 2 to 4 shot. 3 shot tends to cover most of our bases so that’s usually a safe bet.
The Scenarios
We might use 4 shot for pass shooting divers or scenarios where we’re shooting smaller birds or birds in bigger groupings. This will allow us to have more BB’s per shell, thus giving us a wider spread of BB coverage. If we’re going to sit down in a hole on our favorite private land and call small groups of mallards into their favorite spot you can expect we load 2 shot. This will allow us bigger BB with a smaller spread for more specific and in the face shooting.
GOOSE:
When it comes to you should pretty much be looking at double or triple BB. Bigger BB’s in a tighter pattern. For large, slow geese, this is your option. Bigger birds you might want those triple BB, but double should still do fine. Some guys live by shooting 3 1/2 inch shells. Now it’s true, there will be a couple more BB in a 3 1/2 inch shell. How much more does it do for you? Not sure. It’s really hard to tell. If you’re less accurate maybe you take the extra half inch. We can’t say it’s necessary.
A Little History:
An important thing to touch on is how shot has evolved over the years. If you start talking to your grandpa who was an avid waterfowler in his day, he might recommend 20 gauge guns and 6 shot 2 3/4 shells. Trust me, this isn’t the way to go. A while back in an effort to protect public lands and water there was a shift to steel BB inside those shells.
See, they used to be made of lead. Now we’ve learned enough to know the lead isn’t something we want littered all over. But most of you will know how much heavier lead is than steel.
Because of this, hunters have evolved to bigger guns and bigger shot. Back in the day, that 6 shot smacked em just fine. But not anymore. So just make sure you really look into your scenario and select a shot appropriate to our regulations and products today!
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