The "Black Cloud" post got me to figuring

[Doc & Nash]

Shooting a shell that travels 1400FPS, how far would you lead a mallard duck flying across from left to right or right to left at 40yds from where your standing.

There are alot of people that seem to think that 40 yds is a normal killing shot. The responces should be interesting.

[bourne33]

11inches

[Doc & Nash]

No Takers????? Some of you who think 40yds is not skyblasting post up.

[blgros1]

HOW FAST IS THIS DUCK YOU SPEAK OF FLYING? ABOUT A NORMAL FLIGHT SPEED, FLOATING ACROSS FROM LFT TO RIGHT OR VISE VERSA??? I WOULD SAY LET YOUR INSTINCTS TAKE OVER, TRUTHFULLY I HARDLY EVER THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN I'M SHOOTING I JUST USE MY BEST JUDGEMENT BASED ON WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE FLIGHT PATH OF THE BIRD. WHO KNOWS???

[Copiah Creek]

Trey the last time i did that shot was on a group of TEAL ,,,,,,,i led the first bird about 3 foot ,,,,,pulled the trigger and 2 birds fell ,,,,,,the last 2 hey i will take luck every time .

[4dawgma]

lettem land

[4dawgma]

and put more corn closer to yer blind

[Doc & Nash]

Ya'll are just scared, everyone boasting how a 40 yrd shot is within range and now everyone is tight lipped.

As far as the bird, Take a mallard at his normal flight speed. Which BTW they have been clocked anywhere from 40 -70 MPH. so lets say a slow mallard at 50 mph.

[blgros1]

LETS GO 6-8 INCHES WITH A GOOD FOLLOW THROUGH SWING

[GulfCoast]

[missed mallards]

I would go as far as saying feet and a couple extra LOL. Not that I would know or anything

Truth be told, when your of my caliber as a duck hunter and expertise shot, shooting instictively out to 50 yards is not really that big of a deal

[Unkljohn]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't lead him enough and would shoot behind him resulting in a clean miss...

[mharville]

How far would you lead a mallard at 30? Heck i don't even remember what those birds look like. All i've done is pass shoot woodies this year. And do you knock everyone down with one shot at that distance?

[rustypjr]

I personally like for them to get right above me (swimming) then I just reach up and grab there feet. then is when it gets tricky. I will use what ever shell I got be it black cloud, rem, winch, federali, slugs, buckshot. then while underwater I hold that shell out and it distracts the duck long enough for me to get him in position to wring his neck. But that is just me.

[sunnylab]

If you are sitting in the blind with me and you are not dropping ducks at 40 yards then I will kill your limit.
end of discussion.

I don't really pay attention how far i lead them, i just instinctively shoot good.

Ever since my lasik surgery my shooting is unbelievable...i'm not trying to brag, but i know what i can do and i know when and when not to take the shot. 40 yards is not that far..... i've set up 30 yards from the decoys before in certain spots.