BEST DUCKLOADS

[Dutch Dog]

I actually use kent 3 1/2" #2's with a lot of success. If I put it on the duck I kill the duck no questions asked. I tried a box of 3" #2's this year in the timber and once again if I put it on the duck it killed it period. One problem a lot of people run into (Myself included) is when hunting with other people we tend to rush the shots, I don't know why we do it, I guess it is to shoot the duck b4 someone else does, not sure. Anyway rushed shots lead to inaccurate shots which leads to more cripples. Went hunting last week one day by myself 2 shots 2 ducks. Went yesterday 1 shot 1 duck when the only shooter was myself. When 2 of us were shooting it took me 3 shots to knock the bird down. The first 2 were kinda rushed, and I took a little extra time after mentally cussing myself after the first 2 misses and killed the bird clean on the 3rd shot. It sure would make my duck hunting a lot cheaper if I were to hunt by myself from the shotgun shell cost standpoint! Another story...about 6 years ago work afforded me the opportunity to hunt EVERY day. I hunted 45 of the 50 days...one particular stretch I can remember distinctly 5 days in a row 5 ducks and I shot 25 shells. I didn't even waste 1 shell on a cripple. It goes back to taking my time, waiting for the right moment, and picking the right shot! Does anyone else notice your shot percentages going up when hunting by yourself? Even another story while putting out decoys, I had a lone drake come in, 1 shot 1 bird, waded over to where I was gonna sit, within 3 minutes a group of 3 greenheads came in 3 shots 3 birds...hunt over in about 5 minutes.

[Nitro Mag]

I agree with ya. When I go by myself I shoot alot less shells. Twice this year I killed 6 ducks on 6 shells when I was by myself. I think not only do you not rush your shots but you also can hide one person better than a group of people and get the ducks in that much better.

[GulfCoast]

I have shot a bunch of Kents this year, since my local store went to stocking them and not Estates and Fiocchis. I got them sopping wet on many occasions (short guy goes wading)jand hunted in rain. Never had the first problem. I would have no problem stocking up on them by the case. I think they may actually be a better shell than the Estates, and that is saying something for me!

[H2OFowl]

Before you start comparing FPS on shotshells, double check where the manufacturer is measuring. Some measure at the muzzle, some measure 3ft out etc. Keep in mind most shell manufacturers sacrafice load weight (pellet count) for velocity in their "high-velocity" shells.

Now for mine rant on the "no-tox" shot. I had someone sum this up for me this year.

Top of the line neoprene waders....................$300.00
Top of the line Columbia Coat....................... $300.00
4wd four-wheeler w/winch and trailer.............$7000.00
All-weather shotgun......................................$600.00
6 dozen decoys w/weight and bags.................$600.00
"no-tox" shotshells per shot............................$1.40 per shot difference
a whole duck season loosing only 1 duck.........."PRICELESS"

Now some of you may spend more, some may spend less, but after all we spend whats $1.40 per shot if you kill more and loose less?

[Wildfowler]

I shot 4 boxes of Hevi-shot this year and really liked it. But I would like to know if anyone here has much exerience with Kent Tungsten Matirx. I've been doing a little research on some of the steel alternatives and have discovered that this particular non-tox shot is safe in all guns, and and has similar properties to that of lead. It's soft and can be shot with a full choke.

I've personally seen what hevi-shot can do, and am very impressed. But the Tungsten matrix sounds like it may be a better choice for me and it's almost the same density of lead. Can anyone give a fair evaluation of the kent Tungsten Matrix?

Thanks.

[00ducksr.]

glad you found the right shell/ out preforms all the rest cause it is the best no b.s. check the stats been shooting this shell from the get go 3 in #1 shot in a 11-87 imp mod yes they cost more why #1 cross over geese / look at impact short string nice pattern now get yo mojo going and get to the store

[injun_23]

Again....thanks. Dutch I am sure you are right about the hunting alone vs with someone else. Last week I doubled on a pair of Mallards in the local swamp and lost them BOTH while hunting alone. I fell in enough to submerge my gun ( this is a real swamp with downed trees, sink holes and the works ) trying to get to the drake and never got either. I either need to not get excited so I shoot up to my ability or put more shot up in a more dense and wider pattern. The excitement part I have not been able to change from the first time I saw ducks stool to my decoy spread so I guess Ill be messing with new loads.
Wildfowler I found some 3" Kent Tungsten loads 1 1/2 oz #1,3,5 for
$1.65 ea (delivered I think) @ http://www.firearmservice.com . That would probably be the best way for me to go untill I come over to M'sippi where there are more ducks than we have here.
Glad the season ended on a good note for most of you. I will enjoy the anticipation of next year and all the wild ass stories that will come up from this years hunts. Time to get the turkey stuff out and practice. the INJUN

[Wildfowler]

Injun, Cabela's has them for cheaper, and I also found that same shell for 14.99 per box (case price) Shipping was about $15, but I can't find the website again. Hopefully, someone will run a summertime special.

I'm definitely want to supplement steel shot with some alternatives for next year. I'm also planning on reloading at least one batch of hevi-shot, if not more just because I have most of the components on hand already. I've heard that it's tuff to work with. Especially if the recipe calls for buffer in the shot. I met a fellow who told me that the directions specify that the buffer is added to the top of the shot column. Then you crank your truck, and put the shells upright on the hood, and let the vibration work the buffer down through the shot charge. But not too much.

Screw that!!

I would rather pay an extra .25 per shot to buy factory loads. But I do have a couple of hevi-shot recipes that don't call for buffer, so it's worth a try.

[BR549]

42 grains Blue dot 1 3/4 oz' number 4 chilled shot Win. W12AAR wad 110 lbs wad pressure Win. 209 primer

P R I C E L E S S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!