Loads for Ducks and Geese

[yoda]

Whats everyone using for ducks and geese out there., I use a Rem SP10, for most all my waterfowel, Remingtons 1 3/4 oz of T's is black death on the BIG Canadians in the eastern U.P.. I use #2's on ducks only because no one makes a 10ga shell in #3 shot..,

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Yoda,
I use 3" steel BBB for geese out of my 12 gauge 870. I just started reloading some 2 3/4" 1 3/8 0z bismuth BB loads, but haven't yet had a chance to try them.(I don't get many opportunities to hunt geese> )

As for ducks, I use the 870, a Stevens 311 (12 gauge), a Remington Model 11 (16 gauge), and an Ithica 37 (16 gauge). My loads are as follows: Factory steel: 12 gauge Winchester Supreme or Reminton 3" #2 (1 1/4 oz), Handload 12 gauge steel--2 3/4" 1 oz #3 steel, 12 gauge handload bismuth--2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz #4, and 16 gauge--handload bismuth, 1oz to 1 1/8 oz #4. Good luck and good hunting.

[dux43]

For ducks and geese both..I use a win.super x2.
Shot size for geese is BB or BBB thru mod. choke for pass shooting,and imp. cyl. for decoys.
For ducks I shoot mostly 2s.
All steel,and all 3 1/2 inch for geese, and mostly steel and mostly 3 1/2 inch.for ducks..
All factory loads and all brands.
I"m going to try some of the new tungston loads as soon as i can locate a co-signer to help purchase them.. hehehe....

I shoot a Browning Gold 3 1/2"
3 1/2" BBs for geese
3" 2s for ducks

[WEEZER]

I use 3" BB for geese, sometimes 3" 1's for decoying..
I use 2/34...1's,bb's and 2's for ducks

I used to use 23/4 inch 2's for everything and never had a problem folding anything!! Lately I have been forced into taking longer range shots because many of the guys hunting in my area got "Big ole 31/2 chamber guns" and think they can shoot a mile and a half with them, thus educating birds that are willing to decoy!!!!!!!
~Rick

[yoda]

Mr 16 gauge
Have you ever loaded up a #2 Bismuth ? When lead was legal,Winchester super XX copper plated #2 was DEVISTATING on geese. If the Bismuth wasen't so bloody expensive THAT would be my goose load (if it performed like lead).
Weezer, Try #2 steel over decoys for geese, out to about 40 yds it will do the job, I gave them up because they won't pass through a goose breast(I hate going to the dentist). One other thing, you can run with the boys shooting the 3 1/2 12s, the ones Ive seen don't pattern all that well. But if someone pulls out a 10ga and knows how to use it, leave your gun in the case !!!!

[Zak]

Nothing smaller than #2's for geese and nothing bigger than BBB except T shot in Duplex Loads. For ducks, nothing smaller than #4's and nothing larger than #1's or BB's in Duplex loads. Zak

[WEEZER]

Yoda, Yes I always used to use 2's over the decoys but like I said since the "Explosion" Of 3.5 inch shells, skybusting has become a major problems for me! I still kill a lot of geese with 2's since I hunt Shiawasee flats a lot, but they(Geese) are usually a morning bonus! I don't use 2's anymore if I am strictly hunting geese.
I talked to a factory rep. from remington a few years back. He said that the reason why 3 and 3.5 inch shell don't hold great patterns because the wad excellerates too quickly and busts through the shot, making the pattern inconsistent. Like I said I talked to this guy a few years back and they have made a ton of progress in steel loads since then. I don't know if all this still holds true.
~Rick