12ga Goose loads
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Started w BBB in a mod choke, Mossberg 835.
Reg Rem 3.5" steel.
Didn't like the results.
Switched to an 1100 magnum, reg full choke, w Bismuth 3" #2.
Worked way better.
But this in the mid 90's..........and ten rounds was about 18 bucks.
Heard it's 28 bucks for ten rounds these days.
And not as easy to find.
I have a 3.5" 870 and have Blindside BB and some Heavy Steel to try if I get back into it.
Still have a 3" 1100 too if I want to go bismuth again.
The difference between non specialty steel and bismuth, for me, was dramatic.
Reg Rem 3.5" steel.
Didn't like the results.
Switched to an 1100 magnum, reg full choke, w Bismuth 3" #2.
Worked way better.
But this in the mid 90's..........and ten rounds was about 18 bucks.
Heard it's 28 bucks for ten rounds these days.
And not as easy to find.
I have a 3.5" 870 and have Blindside BB and some Heavy Steel to try if I get back into it.
Still have a 3" 1100 too if I want to go bismuth again.
The difference between non specialty steel and bismuth, for me, was dramatic.
Apologies in advance if you have already done this - I would suggest patterning that load with your shotgun on cardboard at various ranges and see how many pellets are hitting within a goose size target. That will help determine if you are within the effective range for that gun/ammunition type with a good hit. I use a full choke, 3” steel for waterfowl, and have gone as small as #2 steel shot. An IC choke will limit your range compared to full or modified choke. I am not sure if you can change the choke or if it is fixed, but that would be a potential fix. Good luck!
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Steel patterns about 1 choke size tighter so you were probably shooting modified patterns. It's been a while since I did any waterfowl hunting but 3" BB's or #2's are what I used with an IC tube for geese. I used steel #4 for ducks. Of course I was hunting a beaver pond so shots were always fairly close.
Things may have changed, but at one time they recommended nothing tighter than modified with steel. I know that today there are some specialty choke tubes designed to be used with steel that may help. For me I didn't do enough goose hunting to justify a 10ga or 3 1/2" 12 ga. I was mostly shooting ducks and 3" steel was more than adequate. I'd get the occasional shot at a goose, but didn't specifically hunt them. But if it is something you plan to do a lot of a 3 1/2" in 12 ga is probably what you need. The shells are expensive, but for occasional use the non-steel non toxic shot are the way I'd go.
Things may have changed, but at one time they recommended nothing tighter than modified with steel. I know that today there are some specialty choke tubes designed to be used with steel that may help. For me I didn't do enough goose hunting to justify a 10ga or 3 1/2" 12 ga. I was mostly shooting ducks and 3" steel was more than adequate. I'd get the occasional shot at a goose, but didn't specifically hunt them. But if it is something you plan to do a lot of a 3 1/2" in 12 ga is probably what you need. The shells are expensive, but for occasional use the non-steel non toxic shot are the way I'd go.
DocRock
member
3" #2 and a Polychoke set to M. All Canadians on decoys, so 12 - 30 yards generally.
HB
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This is my routine. I still have a few boxes of herters #1 as well. Main thing is keep shots close and remember you’re shooting at their heads and not the “goose”. Goose head is about the size of a dove.
I used to stand on a ridge and pass shoot them in college. Saw feathers ruffle on one and he dropped almost a mile away. Recovered it after a long walk but made me realize how many waterfowl will die of 2 pellets and infection.
Anymore, if the feet aren’t hangin we arent bangin
Over ponds, 3.5” BB
In fields, 3.5” BBB or T’s.
Benelli Nova 28”
Carlson modified extended choke.
Can’t say I never lose birds. Everyone does. But I don’t lose many.
To an extent, I think your decoy spread is more important than what size shell you shoot. If your spread sucks or is laid out wrong, your not going to get the birds to commit. If they don’t commit, you’re likely taking shots you shouldn’t be. JMO.
In fields, 3.5” BBB or T’s.
Benelli Nova 28”
Carlson modified extended choke.
Can’t say I never lose birds. Everyone does. But I don’t lose many.
To an extent, I think your decoy spread is more important than what size shell you shoot. If your spread sucks or is laid out wrong, your not going to get the birds to commit. If they don’t commit, you’re likely taking shots you shouldn’t be. JMO.
Loyalist Dave
Member
I've never had a crippling problem using that load, but with modified choke, whether bismuth or steel.
Another "waterfowl hunting hack" that you might also try..., I snapped on a pair of Tru-Glow, "turkey sights" onto the rib of my shotgun barrel. (Why do that; it's not a rifle and I'm not hunting turkey?)
I discovered that I wasn't shooting my shotgun much in very cold weather, except for hunting. The hunting clothes..., well to be honest, my lack of practice while wearing the thick hunting clothes..., made me lazy about getting a good cheek to stock weld when I shouldered the shotgun. So my head was actually a tad high when shooting at the geese, and at the distances where one shoots geese, that makes for some misses or very poor hits. By using the low, front and rear sights, it required me to get my head down where it should've been, and missing became a much less frequent situation. It's quick fix and..., easily undone. Just a suggestion if you find you might be doing the same, and is just as fast shooting at geese as looking over a plain vent rib at a single front sight or bead.
LD
Bismuth #2 in 3" from my 1100 full choke ( fixed ) brought geese down like wet wash rags.....to 50 yards.
Hit the deck dead.
Like that.
Kinda didnt like the price back then. Proly grumble more these days.
Early nuisance season limit is 5.
Dekes in pasture.
Fly by and 5 shots ring out. 5 geese down ( buddy ran an over under ). Limit out by y 2nd pass. 5 shots total.
Did that two days in a row we did. Buddy from a waterfowling family growing up. Just shook his head, said he never thought hed need or want a 3rd shot.
Live for the triple
Hit the deck dead.
Like that.
Kinda didnt like the price back then. Proly grumble more these days.
Early nuisance season limit is 5.
Dekes in pasture.
Fly by and 5 shots ring out. 5 geese down ( buddy ran an over under ). Limit out by y 2nd pass. 5 shots total.
Did that two days in a row we did. Buddy from a waterfowling family growing up. Just shook his head, said he never thought hed need or want a 3rd shot.
Live for the triple
Random 8
Member
There are different "kinds" of geese, within the subset of Canadas. There are your big, fat, stupid golf course geese. Tough to bring down with body blows, but they tend to decoy well. Then there are your "hunting pressure" geese. High flyers, pass shooting, etc. Then there are your northern flight field geese, which may pay a visit to your late season diver or mallard spread on open water, also usually decoyed well or skating in low and slow on the mist looking for a picked cornfield. For the first and last type, I use exclusively Kent Faststeel 3" #1. Any other steel load in the 1500fps range will likely work as well, but they are hard to find in this shot size. I've found 2's to be a bit small, BBs to not fill in the pattern sufficiently for head and neck shots. Speed kills, head and neck kill. Learn to put sufficient pellets on the front of the goose with a tight choke and the fastest load you can tolerate (NOT the heaviest payload), and geese will fall for you. For the middle variety, I still carry some Federal 3" tungsten/iron. These aren't made anymore, which is unfortunate, they were a heck of a load. Mine are sized BB. I fire all of the above through a Carlson's "pass" choke. Geese fear me.
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Iwsbull
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When I used to hunt waterfowl I started loading my own, and as was previously stated speed kills with steel. Depending on the area and the bird I was after I would make duplex loads of various shot combinations and had much better luck with them than any off the shelf ammo. Be sure to check your pattern as you can get to fast and blow your pattern. Also you may have to lengthen your forcing cone to prevent belling. I used either an extended modified or improved modified.
Mostly we are shooting golf course geese. I will try and find some #1.
Seamaster31
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3" #4 HeviShot in a modified choke is what I usually use.
Jerry M
Member
3 inch BB here. BUT,BUT 25 years or so of shooting non-toxic have proven to buy quality steel. Cheap steel is crap and won't pattern. Bismith is better IMHO, but more expensive.
Good luck
Jerry
Good luck
Jerry
daniel craig
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Let the the geese get closer.
With that said 3” BB out of a modified choke should be more than adequate
With that said 3” BB out of a modified choke should be more than adequate
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