Goose Loads

[Bowfin]

I shoot an 870 and have my favorite load dialed in for ducks (3" #2 Kent Fasteel). Being new to early goose season, I am still searching for a goose load. What is your favorite load for early season geese? What size shot?

How about the Black cloud snow goose load?

[Gordie]

I like using Black Cloud BB it really knocks them down for me.

[Maxxed Out]

I like using Black Cloud BB it really knocks them down for me.

+1

[Shane Z]

I've been a fan of 3" #2 shot for geese during early season, as they don't have their armor on and decoy within very close distance. Hevi-Metal is my ammo of choice!

[Storm]

I prefer Federal speed shock 3" #2's at 1400 fps. In the early season this load works great and sometimes even switch to #3's depending on how well the geese are finishing. The little slower loads seem to pattern much better for me as well.

[TylerS]

3 inch No. 2s from Aug. early season until the water freezes. I use this on giant Canadas to buzzing teal, and everything in between.

I hate putzing around with switching out loads if another type of duck or a flock of geese comes in. By and large, this load seems to be the Swiss army knife of shot shells.

[hunterlaker]

#2 3inch nitro mags are the bomb!

[Finlander]

#2's for over decoys, and when they're not finishing I shoot BC Snowgoose loads in BB's! Those BC Snowgoose loads are good to 50 yards, and those BB's just keep going thru and you'll never bite into one!

[booger]

3 inch No. 2s from Aug. early season until the water freezes. I use this on giant Canadas to buzzing teal, and everything in between.

I hate putzing around with switching out loads if another type of duck or a flock of geese comes in. By and large, this load seems to be the Swiss army knife of shot shells.

I've toyed with the idea of loading up a 2nd gun. One for geese, one for ducks. Suppose that is one more option.

[Gordie]

I've toyed with the idea of loading up a 2nd gun. One for geese, one for ducks. Suppose that is one more option.

I have done this for the past ten years, works great

[TylerS]

I've toyed with the idea of loading up a 2nd gun. One for geese, one for ducks. Suppose that is one more option.

Not a bad idea if you have the space. But when you're a plodder like I am, dragging out a gun, shell bag, decoys, spinner, dog platform, calls, while in waders and all your 40 pounds of clothing is plenty -- add a gun to the equation and I'm liable to never to leave the slough.

That said, I like an all-around shotgun shell for my hunting, and 3-inch No. 2s are the way to go. Cheap, effective, deadly to the range I need them (decoying birds...well within 50 yards).

[RuddyDuck]

I like 3" 1 1/4 1450 Kent BB's. During the duck season I also will have two guns loaded when in the boat. Funny, no one use 'F' shot anymore!!

[Finlander]

Haven't seen F shot sold in years! The closest you can get is TTT's I've see listed somewhere. I think Remington makes TTT's!

[Black Bear]

I'm with Gordie on the second gun but it is a NO NO in Saskatchewan so up there I really love the old Heavy Steel (not the newer Heavy Metal) B's. Just pounds the Cranes

[bobbymalone]

I've seen geese get hit pegged with 2s, feathers explode off their chest, and not even miss a wing beat. that's not sky busting either, well within range.

I use BB for geese. usually red box federals, support the local ammo maker. B-clouds jam in my gun more often than not. Nothing worse than pulling the trigger on shot two and nothing happens.

I also use 3.5 inch shells, cuz I can. Sure I hear stuff like 3 inch shells and 2 3/4 get the job done, but why not? Nothing wrong with putting more steel downrange.

[Finlander]

I believe if you're gonna hit'em, hit'em hard with big payload or alot of speed!

Fiochi has a 3.5" shell that has 1 9/16oz. @ 1450fps in 1, 2, BB, BBB

I want to get the 2's for decoy shooting as there would be alot of pellets hitting them where the corn goes in!

[Cheetah]

#2 should work fine=, just don't sky bust em. BB is good too if you feel like buying some more shells.

[TylerS]

I've seen geese get hit pegged with 2s, feathers explode off their chest, and not even miss a wing beat. that's not sky busting either, well within range.

I've seen that with 3 1/2 inch BBs, too -- poor shot placement will do that

[Gordie]

I've seen geese get hit pegged with 2s, feathers explode off their chest, and not even miss a wing beat. that's not sky busting either, well within range.

I have also seen this happen on Mallards looks like a pillow exploded and they still fly off. I have also seen a goose get hit 7 times with BB and BBB. First pass 4 shots then it turned around and got hit 3 more times and then fly about 300 yrds upstream and then fold up. Upon cleaning it was hit everywhere from bill to tail featers and it ddin't want to stop flying.

Sometimes they are tough as nails and I dont want them flying off so I like the bigger shot.

I use BB early season then step up to BBB later in the season these pattern very well out of my browning and my stoger.

T's pattern better out of my 870 but I rarely use that any more.

[bobbymalone]

I've seen that with 3 1/2 inch BBs, too -- poor shot placement will do that

Not much I can do about poor shot placement other than put the bead on them better next time. I'd rather miss than pepper a bird and watch it fly away, only to presumably die later.

With perfect shot placement, I suppose I only need a single pellet of 7 1/2 shot right through the brain

[169Sportsman]

Personally I like Winchester supreme 3.5" bbb. Mainly because I have a bunch and they pattern well. Could definitely see a clear advantage of shooting smaller shot especially in a tight choke as a bunch of 2's to the head will certainly do in the toughest goose. If I still shot a patternmaster I would give 2's a try.

One thing I learned last year is the cheap 6 shot steel that I use to swat cripple ducks works equally well on cripple geese 30 yards and under in the field.

[Finlander]

The one "Golden BB" will do it every time! I shot a Canada goose last December that was 55 yards up with one BB that hit the wing bone and the fall killed it for sure as the skin got pulled off its chest from hitting the ground so hard and after cleaning it the breast bone was totally fractured! It also had 2 different size pellets in the skin. 1 #4 lead shot, and 1 T shot! I knocked it down with Black Cloud Snowgoose BB load!

[dan z]

I have knocked over geese with #2's for years. Heck I have knocked them over with #6. My favorite load nowadays is 3.5 #3 shot made by Kent cartridge. Speed kills for me. if it doesnt say 1550 or above it doesnt fly outta the nelli.

[Matt C]

Any of you guys done a pattern test? @ 40 yards and a some paper. I just upgraded my 1100 to a benelli, (still have my 20 gauge 1100 for doves though). so I need to find the right shot/choke for early geese.

[Gordie]

Any of you guys done a pattern test? @ 40 yards and a some paper. I just upgraded my 1100 to a benelli, (still have my 20 gauge 1100 for doves though). so I need to find the right shot/choke for early geese.

Start with the Mod Buntt2k. my 1100 shot rem nitro steel BB-BBB with the best pattern. at least thats what worked for that gun.