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Started By
Message
20 gauge steel shot
Posted on 11/11/25 at 10:16 am
Posted on 11/11/25 at 10:16 am
For you 20 gauge duck killers…what are y’all killing them with? I’ve pattern # 6,4,3 and 2. The steel 6’s look really good out of a modified choke at 30 and 40 yards but doubt it can smoke a duck that far out?
10
Posted on 11/11/25 at 11:00 am to Koolazzkat
I shoot Boss shells.
Found that they reach out and kill what you are shooting at. When I used steel, I was shooting at least twice the amount of shells on cripples and misses. With the Boss, I was shooting 8-10 shells per hunt as opposed to @ a box of steel.
They are more expensive up front, but cost per hunt worked out the same or better.
Found that they reach out and kill what you are shooting at. When I used steel, I was shooting at least twice the amount of shells on cripples and misses. With the Boss, I was shooting 8-10 shells per hunt as opposed to @ a box of steel.
They are more expensive up front, but cost per hunt worked out the same or better.
Posted on 11/11/25 at 11:22 am to Koolazzkat
4s work great if they pattern well.
Bismuth works great too, just don’t be one of those guys that brags about shooting a 20 gauge while using bismuth
Bismuth works great too, just don’t be one of those guys that brags about shooting a 20 gauge while using bismuth
Posted on 11/11/25 at 12:03 pm to Theduckhunter
quote:
just don’t be one of those guys that brags about shooting a 20 gauge while using bismuth
It’s the new Sitka
Posted on 11/11/25 at 12:58 pm to Koolazzkat
3” #4 steel, 1oz iirc.
FULL
FULL
This post was edited on 11/11/25 at 12:59 pm
Posted on 11/11/25 at 2:39 pm to White Bear
When I was hunting it was Estate #5 steel in an imp cylinder.
Posted on 11/24/25 at 3:04 pm to Koolazzkat
Choke has more effectiveness than shot size unless you're going with smaller then 6 or larger than 3s and you're handicapping yourself. Get a custom choke like a Roy Roberts and you'll notice a huge difference in your target patterning and duck distance crushing.
Posted on 11/24/25 at 4:16 pm to TopWaterTiger
quote:Bismuth shells been around way way longer than sitka
quote:
just don’t be one of those guys that brags about shooting a 20 gauge while using bismuth
Posted on 11/24/25 at 4:24 pm to Koolazzkat
I've shot Kent 3" #3s in the past and felt like they were fine.
I shoot Boss bismuth in my 12ga, but they've discontinued bismuth production so I'll be going back to Kent for 12ga as well.
I shoot Boss bismuth in my 12ga, but they've discontinued bismuth production so I'll be going back to Kent for 12ga as well.
Posted on 11/24/25 at 6:33 pm to Koolazzkat
Both my kids are shooting 3 inch 1 ounce 4s. They kill everything dead out 35-40 yards. Specks past 35 go down but they need another once they fall. When we get in the woods they shoot steel 7s.
This post was edited on 11/24/25 at 6:34 pm
Posted on 11/24/25 at 7:15 pm to Koolazzkat
Switch to a better choke. There several good ones out there. Rob Roberts, kicks high flyer, Jebs I would try a different choke and try again. I been shooting a full choke for many years now for ducks. I like the Hevi Hitter or the Hevi Hammering shells.
Posted on 11/24/25 at 9:03 pm to Koolazzkat
What kind of ducks do you typically see….huge difference whether you typicallly see teal wood ducks or mallards. Also do you hunt flooded timber, marsh, rice fields or lakes?
Suprised no one has asked any of this…
Suprised no one has asked any of this…
Posted on 11/25/25 at 5:38 am to Spankum
Yeah, the 20 gauge project has been scrapped. Thanks for the thoughts and insight but I’m 12 gauging it for the rest of my career.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 5:52 am to Koolazzkat
quote:
Yeah, the 20 gauge project has been scrapped
I have a few friends that shoot nothing but 20s, ducks, geese and cranes no problem.
But even with the 12, you need to find choke/ammo combo that patterns well in your gun. I've settled on Kent #3's with barrel that has stuck choke. Tried some other manufacturers when I ran low and my cripple rate went way up.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 5:52 am to Koolazzkat
quote:
Yeah, the 20 gauge project has been scrapped
I have a few friends that shoot nothing but 20s, ducks, geese and cranes no problem.
But even with the 12, you need to find choke/ammo combo that patterns well in your gun. I've settled on Kent #3's with barrel that has stuck choke. Tried some other manufacturers when I ran low and my cripple rate went way up.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 5:54 am to Capt ST
I have the greatest 12 gauge killing machine ever manufactured. The Beretta A400 with Briley extended light modified and 3” #3’s (any flavor).
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:10 am to Koolazzkat
Apex steel #2.
I’ve melted giant late season Minnesota honkers with it. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to pay $2 a shot for boss shells or that other crap.
I’ve melted giant late season Minnesota honkers with it. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to pay $2 a shot for boss shells or that other crap.
Posted on 11/25/25 at 3:44 pm to SmoothBox
quote:
I’ve melted giant late season Minnesota honkers
Are you talking about Canada geese?
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:59 pm to Spankum
Yes.
Branta canadensis maxima the largest Canada goose subspecies there is. Big birds.
Branta canadensis maxima the largest Canada goose subspecies there is. Big birds.
Posted on 11/26/25 at 5:06 pm to Koolazzkat
#4s, mod choke. Don’t overthink it. It’s the Indian, not the arrow.
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