New shells anyone?

[mlj300]

i like the saying... i got enough dog to shoot the cheap bullets

however, there were three pretty incredible, lucky really, shots I saw made by different clients last year and I had to ask what they were shooting, and each time they said Heavy Metal. I've never shot em but plan on shooting a box or two this year. take it for what it's worth.

I shot heavi metals religiously for two seasons, they are super awesome shells. I quit shooting them however once i discovered they were no better than Rio's and the Rio's are half price.

[mlj300]

I conducted an unitentional and unscientific experiment this year. Hunted with a bunch of folks last season and because I don't mind cleaning everyone's ducks and actually like duck, I get to take most everyone's duck meat.
The folks I hunted with shot a variety of shells - hevishot, Kent, Remington this and that, Federals .... but only one guy shot Blindside.

Over the course of the year, in the process of eating all said ducks, my family and I have come across numerous pellets in the meat. What I found interesting was that the overwhelming majority of them were Blindside pellets - easy to identify because of the cube shape.

Other than the obvious explanation that Mr Blindside is a hell of a lot better shot than everyone else, any thoughts on whats going on?

My guess was that the shape , ie., flat sides, reduced the pellets' ability to pass cleanly through the meat, more drag or something. If this is true is it a good thing?

I beleive that blindsides claim to fame in the world of gimmicky over priced duck shells is that the cube shape of the pellets allows them to fit more pellets in each shell. Not that they neccssarily penatrate any better.

[missed mallards]

Every year we try out a new box for kicks and giggles.

A few things I've found:
Some shells pattern great, others I can't hit a coke can at 30 yards
25 Yards and in, when you've done your part, most any shells will do the job.

W/ that said:
Rio's are my new go to although they burn dirty. Heavy metal is my 2nd on the list and burns clean for the most part. For the price and the kill to wound ratio, they out performed most all loads fired last year (Rio's). They also out patterened all loads?

The hypersonics, blindsides, and what all else just didn't impress me throughout the course of the year. Although some like the Federals and xperts, I don't. It's personal I would guess but I don't have a dog so I sure don't have enough dog to wound one.

I like to shoot them close, can't hit them out in the distances, so I have to pick and choose my shoots.

Good Luck

[marionfd708]

Any particular choke for the hevi metal?

Skywalker, I have a pattern master extended tube and shoot 3" no.2's. I hunt mostly fields and this has been a good set up for me.

[msoutdoors]

Looking to buy a case of 12 ga. 3" 1 and 3/8 oz. shells. Anybody found any for a good price online? They seem to be hard to find in stock this year, or I'm just looking in the wrong places. Thanks in advance.

[Double R 2]

I went back to 20 gauge for blue-winged teal and couldn't have been more pleased with 2.75" steel #7s. Am planning on shooting 20 gauge more this year for big ducks. The old 1100 won't chamber 3-inch rounds so I'll have to play around with shot sizes.

For 12 gauge, I'm pretty much stuck on Federal 3 inch 1.25-ounce 3s, but 2s and BBs when the need arises.

[get'n_green]

I preview shot blindside 2 yrs ago when Mack's had the prerelease... And all I can say is WOW! It's great stuff... A lot less cripples... As champcaller knows I need a lot less cripples because I'm dog less right now... Blindside really is great but IMO you can beat kent fast steel if you are the normal broke duck hunter like most of us are! Getchu a pattern master long range and it really don't matter what you shoot... Those things are SWEET!!!

[ScottyLee]

Looking to buy a case of 12 ga. 3" 1 and 3/8 oz. shells. Anybody found any for a good price online? They seem to be hard to find in stock this year, or I'm just looking in the wrong places. Thanks in advance.

hunters hollow in oxford has rio 1 3/8 3in number 2's for 15 a box. bought me some during teal season simply because that was the cheapest shell's that weren't kent or estate that i could get at the time. now i'm ordering a case. i was really pleased with their performance.

[fieldt76]

Dryloks pattern very well out of my SX3

[novacaine]

Looking to buy a case of 12 ga. 3" 1 and 3/8 oz. shells. Anybody found any for a good price online? They seem to be hard to find in stock this year, or I'm just looking in the wrong places. Thanks in advance.

Macks, Rogers, Dunns................free shipping

[hntrpat1]

Looking to buy a case of 12 ga. 3" 1 and 3/8 oz. shells. Anybody found any for a good price online? They seem to be hard to find in stock this year, or I'm just looking in the wrong places. Thanks in advance.

hunters hollow in oxford has rio 1 3/8 3in number 2's for 15 a box. bought me some during teal season simply because that was the cheapest shell's that weren't kent or estate that i could get at the time. now i'm ordering a case. i was really pleased with their performance.

thats crazy to pay 15 for rios order from rogers

[Greenhead22]

Or Able Ammo. It's getting harder and harder to find the 3" 1 3/8oz loads these days. I have found Kent's in that load at Academy for $159 plus tax though.

[ScottyLee]

hntrpat:

i order from rogers all the time. but when i want steel in 3" 1 3/8 they have nothing that interests me with the exception of drylok (good ammo, just more than i want to spend) , and usually nothing in stock other than T shot or BBB; 15 a box is fair for those loads, especially when able ammo for a case + shipping is almost the same price.

the man asked for 3" 1 3/8; i simply tried to point him in the direction to find what he was looking for at a decent price.

[driveby]

Most members of the Albanian 9th brigade, AKA "The Steel Curtain", shoot the cheap blue box Federals from Roger's and have no problem making spoonies fall like rain.

[novacaine]

Most members of the Albanian 9th brigade, AKA "The Steel Curtain", shoot the cheap blue box Federals from Roger's and have no problem making spoonies fall like rain.

Fall like rain? That would imply that they were shot while in the air!
A better description would be that said spoonies were rolled like marbles.
Ya bunch of Albanian skillet shooters with the combined i.q. of 9!