shot size for ducks

[finsfurfeathers]

So last night was in the sport shop and overheard the counter guy recommend #7 steel for early season ducks. A little shocked asked him why? Said due to the smaller pellet penetration is better. Did I miss a memo or was he just trying to get rid of the #7 which for doves great, possibly teal over decoys but for me Still would of recommended #3 for all round duck. What are the thoughts out there.

[trimmer21]

The sport shop guy was talking out his a**. Light shot only guarantees cripples on large birds.

[werner.reiche]

The sport shop guy was talking out his a**. Light shot only guarantees cripples on large birds.

Agree.

I use challenger #4 for ducks - it's ideal for mallards, maybe a bit big for woodies. But I don't have time to change loads when the ducks are coming in.

[Ryeguy]

Do you see the sales associate in the store often? I am shocked at the lack of experience some sport shops around me. For example, I went in to Sail in Burlington during the spring for Turkey loads. I actually had to point out the loads to the sales associate behind the ammo counter and then walk him through how to read the box (i.e., where to find the gauge; shell size; shot size). He said it was his first week, but what was he doing running the ammo counter if he had no working knowledge of the products!?

[finsfurfeathers]

Do you see the sales associate in the store often?

He claimed to have 40 years hunting experience.

[dean.f]

Imagine what the breast meat would look like with that many pellets flying, that's if the pellets even made it that far.

[sabmgb]

#7 really good dove load but that about it. I use #3, 3 inch for just about everything, except maybe late season geese.

[Gadwall]

The physics do not support a smaller pellet having better "penetration" ... a smaller pellet is lighter, therefore has less joules upon impact ... in addition the pellets will slow faster after leaving the barrel, so will hit with less speed than a larger pellet from the same distance. The only benefit to smaller pellets are more pellets in the pattern, but shooting sawdust at a mallard is still less effective than trying your luck with a slug. Personally, I don't use steel shot smaller than #3 for air shots ... I start the season with #3, and tend to change over to #1 about Remembrance Day when most of my shoot are mallards or larger, fat divers. I still have some smaller shot on me in case I get nothing but a bufflehead shoot in the late season. I would struggle with the ethics of having #7 steel in the barrel for ducks after Halloween (actually, I would not do that, or recommend it at any time).

[tracer]

#4 for ducks, #2 for geese - 12ga.

[tom gobble]

Geese and Ducks I like #2s 3 1/2 in reasonable range. I think the key point is to shoot within range. You can use smaller shot at a closer distance. So maybe #7 at landing ducks might be ok 15 yards out?