sheephead24 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I picked up some 3.5 inch 2 shot steel, 1 3/8 oz. for ducks, will that work well for roosters also or should I downsize for them?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrappiesNCats Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 thats a great load for later in the season when the birds are spookier. i start with 4's and use 2's later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koonie Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 2 3/4 inch 5s or 6s is perfect for early season. Later you may want to switch to 3 inch 5s or 4s. 3.5 inch is way overkill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123fish Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I use 2.75" and 3" No.2 steel all season long for roosters. Wouldn't go back to lead for nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKJACK Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I also use #2 steel all season long, it has good knock down power at 35 yards and if they're close just wait wait wait to pull the trigger. And by using steel all season long I don't have to worry when I goto public land about swapping out shells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chub Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Federal 2oz. Premium #6's should be outlawed Steel gets the job done, but I seem to cripple more with it. #3's & #4's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harmonica Bear Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 #2 steel all season long as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 DA GILLS Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Lead ShotEarly season - 2 3/4" #6 or #5 shotLate season - 2 3/4" #4 - #2 shotSteel Early season - 2 3/4" #4 or #2 shotLate season 2 3/4" or 3" in #2 shotWhether it is lead or steel I found that I need to shot shells that are at 1450 fps or faster to consistently hit birds. I have apparently developed a shooting style based in 1500 fps steel shot shells and now I can only shoot the high fps lead as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
night bite Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 What choke do you guys use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muc33 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I shoot skeet choke. Mainly just because most of my shots are within 20 yards and I have too many times tore a bird apart. That is just me, but I shoot a skeet. I just don't take long shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 DA GILLS Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Really it depends on how your gun patterns. I use skeet, IC or modified - it depends. My over under is skeet / IC chokes and semi-auto is IC for most of the season. I at times change to modified for the late season birds, especially if pushing wind breaks or food plots with posters. Then oyu have a little range for those jumpy birds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gspman Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I use anything from 7.5 through 5 shot for lead and 2 or 3 shot for steel.I use anything from cylinder to modified for chokes.12 or 20 are the bores I use.Pattern your gun to be most efficient at the 20-25 yard range and you'll kill more birds.Don't shoot at birds out beyond 40 yards. 95% of the shooters out there (including me) have no business shooting at birds that are that far out. It's a recipe to wound and lose birds.Magnums don't kill birds. Good, accurate shooting at reasonable ranges kills birds.The only things a magnum hits harder are your shoulder and your wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123fish Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I shoot Improved Cylinder for choke. I only shoot steel and have had very good luck with that choke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I think this was discussed about a year ago. If memorty serves me correctly, I think it was the DNR that did some kind of study and determined that #2 steel was the best all-around choice for pheasants in most situations when choosing steel shot. I think they looked at many factors including kill percentage, penetration, feather penetration (feathers being dragged into the wound), etc. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JigginIsLife Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 3.5 in is a little over kill i think but i think that a 3" shell of that shot would be just fine. it all depends on how your gun patterns. i would adjust your shot to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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