Have a question for the ones that like to chase ducks. Just really getting into it and having a lot of fun. We don’t have a pile of ducks and geese, but enough to keep it interesting. What gun, choke and ammo are you running? I am shooting a mossburg 935 the stock modified choke. I have a mix of federal BB, federal #4 and hevi shot #2 for steel shot. The #2s pattern pretty well. Just wondering if there are better ammo choices out there.

Thanks

Use what your shotgun patterns with and shoots well at the distances you are good at shooting. 20-30 yards and closer.

Sounds like #2 is good for you. That will get the job done.



My gun shoots #3 really well, I use that for ducks all season.

I use BB for geese, especially late season but the #3’s do great early. I’m not shooting long distance though. I also use an IC choke.

Don’t skybust and you’ll do fine with what you have.

I liked 3" steel 3's for ducks, and bb's always worked fine for decoying canadas. Never spent the money on hevishot, and didn't like the performance of steel 4's, maybe ok for light ducks...usually IC, for ducks, light modified or modified for geese....light modified, which is skeet 2 I believe, for late season big ducks.

As for the gun, whatever fits you best, with all your stuff on.... Gas autos tame recoil better, but it's got to fit.

Like others said, pattern various loads through your gun. I shoot a Beretta AL390 12 gauge and shoot 3" Black Cloud #2 and 3" Federal Speed-Shok #3 out of an IC choke well.

How far do you guys pattern your ammo/choke combo? I shot mine at 40, that just where my pattern board is from the bench.

I believe 40 yds is the standard...I have to confess I never did much patterning, a couple shots to get a rough idea and that was it,,,, Killed a lot of ducks and geese though...

Patterning is good though to fine tune your load/choke combinations but at 30 yards or under not that important frankly. I like em close, lol

40 yards is good. Remember when using steel shot to use a more open choke since steel doesn't compress like lead or bismuth. The bigger the shot size you need more open choke. There's charts on the inter web showing the shot size to choke. I like #3 for wood ducks, 2-bb for bigger ducks depending on season, bigger later on. Geese I use 2-T shot same concept as ducks.

Modified 3 1/2 inch. 28 inch barrel. #4 or #6 shot. 40 yards max for me. Remember steel shoots fast follow thru come behind the bird on flight. Once you see the tip of the beak. Pull the trigger and keep following thru.
I shot a Mossburg pump. I also had a double bead. Help me keep the gun level. Really improved my hunting.

Good Luck. Enjoy the hunt.

Xtrema I, 12ga cyl or Beretta 20ga cyl, 2 3/4" # 2 for geese, #4 for ducks 40 yds max. :-)

I have shot 3" #2 Kent Fasteel out of my Stoeger M3000 for just about everything waterfowl, both decoying and pass-shooting. Gun likes it, I like it, ducks and geese do not.

26" barrel with Modified choke.

Moosetrot

Yep, Kent 3" #2 or 3 Fasteel with a mod choke

One thing I believe helps is if you find a load you shoot well with. Stay with that load as much as you can. If you have to buy different brand of ammo for availability reasons. Try to stay with a load that is the same speed as ones that you shoot good. Even switching different shot sizes or shell lenght try to stay with the same speed load or close as you can.

Mac

Anything that killa ducks cheap. I shoot a carlson mid range cremator, winchester sx4 12 guage.

Stoger m3500 with black cloud 3" #2s was my go to for years and I still love it but don't love the price of the ammo. I just ordered some 3" Remington number 1s from Scheels because they had them for 15 a box. Hope they don't suck!

Beretta Outlander , 3” Fiocci #3 for ducks, Carlson’s mid range tube. I’ll switch to long range late season for ducks on the bayfront. Kills great, but every gun is different, just find what works for you.

I use #4 for ducks. Improved cylinder or modified works in my gun if I do my part.

Kent Fast steel 3 1/2" 2 shot or Remington 3" 2 or 3 shot for my Benelli Nova shotgun has been the demise of many a duck and goose over the years !

size shot and gun aside, cook your waterfowl like venison DONT overcook!

Facts! Never overcook it.

#5 or #6 shot for me with my 870 12 ga.