Shells - quality vs 2021 pricing

[Big Tuna]

Getting a later than normal 2021 start on Waterfowl and forgot to stock up on shells.
Mainly do Duck and shoot 2 boxes per outing.
Curious on quality of shot metal vs money per box of 25 and where best price, although most are in same ball park.
(side note: I shoot a ported long range choke so I don't shoot specialty wads like in Black Cloud).

To simplify, why don't we focus on 3", number 2, in 2021.
On 2 boxes per outing, what do you feel is best bang per duck drop.
Encourage sharing of pricing.

I prefer Kent Fasteal 2.0 (Cabela's $31.99, Sail $26.99).
Bought Challenger this year. (Cabela's $20.99, Sail $18.99).
Happy with Kent in the past years. Will try Challenger this year but worried their steel shot will loose energy too quick, but great price.
Would like to try Hevi-Shot Heavy Metal (Cabela's $41.99), but don't know if I could appreciate the extra $20 (2 box worth at $10 extra each) price jump to try.

[dean.f]

Do you use 2 boxes yourself or between you and the guys?

I've tried the Hevi shells and it didn't perform any miracles for the money. You could save more money by being more selective with the shots you take in my opinion. If you can't hit it with 2 the third is usually wasted.

[Birdbuff]

I agree with Dean. I don’t think the specialty shells do anything special. If you know how to shoot and you know your gun then you should be fine with standard steel shot.

[Sprite]

I shoot 4-5 cases of 12/20 (1000-1250 rounds) SCORE or Challenger standard steel shot through a Pattermaster tube during an average waterfowl season and have zero issues folding up birds further than I care to admit.

Not sure why Challenger steel shot would lose energy any quicker than Kent. Not singling the OP out, but in general: don't buy into the hype, learn how to shoot and buy a quality choke. Sounds like you've got the quality choke, so enjoy the Challenger shells -- they're fantastic.

-N.

[Gadwall]

I agree with Sprite ... I use Challenger alot ... I often switch back and forth between Kent and Challenger and find the Challenger may get to the target even a little quicker than the Kent, even though the stated speed is the same ... I have used Challenger off and on ever since we went non-toxic many years ago and I feel the company always produces a good wadding, thus good speed retention and pattern. I tend to use patternmaster chokes.

[Big Tuna]

Oh my!
Good thing it bought a few boxes of 3" #2 Challenger early in August.
Stopped into Bass Pro Vaughan today to pick up 3 1/2", their entire ammo supply was only a fraction.
Looked like they had 1/8th their entire ammo/shell supply. Most supplies are out of stock.
At this point to get any brand you are lucky.
Hope I don't need to use old 3" BB on duck as option since new ammo is looking extra scarce or nil.

[finsfurfeathers]

Oh my!
Good thing it bought a few boxes of 3" #2 Challenger early in August.
Stopped into Bass Pro Vaughan today to pick up 3 1/2", their entire ammo supply was only a fraction.
Looked like they had 1/8th their entire ammo/shell supply. Most supplies are out of stock.
At this point to get any brand you are lucky.
Hope I don't need to use old 3" BB on duck as option since new ammo is looking extra scarce or nil.

Ya What happened? Finnally got around to pop into Basspro to pick up a flat of number 71/2 20g trap loads for woodcock and for all intensive purposes they have nothing left. Managed to find the last 4 boxes of 8's AA at $14.99 a box. Have a few boxes of Federal #2 3" to swap for 20 g 7 1/2"

[werner.reiche]

I shoot 4-5 cases of 12/20 (1000-1250 rounds) SCORE or Challenger standard steel shot through a Pattermaster tube during an average waterfowl season and have zero issues folding up birds further than I care to admit.

Not sure why Challenger steel shot would lose energy any quicker than Kent. Not singling the OP out, but in general: don't buy into the hype, learn how to shoot and buy a quality choke. Sounds like you've got the quality choke, so enjoy the Challenger shells -- they're fantastic.

-N.

Agree - no need to go with anything fancier/more expensive than the challenger steel loads. The steel loads today are far better than the steel loads in the 1990's. No need for the 10ga or 12ga 3 1/2 either.

[line052]

Ok, you guys convinced me to try Challenger Steel, in 3".

I always shoot Winchester Super Steel X in #2 and #4. Plus all year after waterfowl I buy a box or two when out and find them, I dont like spending $250 all at once.

[Sprite]

Ok, you guys convinced me to try Challenger Steel, in 3".

I always shoot Winchester Super Steel X in #2 and #4. Plus all year after waterfowl I buy a box or two when out and find them, I dont like spending $250 all at once.

Challenger is far superior in quality compared to the Winchester Xpert steel. If you cut open an Xpert hull, the pellets look like welding slag -- none of them are round or the same size.

Challenger pellets are all perfectly formed and produce far more consistent patterns. Consistency is key -- pick one decent brand and stick with it. It seems that those with a yard sale of ammo in their blind bags are the ones always struggling to take birds cleanly and consistently.


The last few years I've exclusively shot SCORE ammunition in both BBs and #4s, and have had zero issues -- very happy with it.

-N.