Which shell/set up would you shoot over decoys ( 80% mixed ducks and 20% Specs) choosing between
Kent Silver 3.5" 1.5 oz #2 patterns 160 pellets at 30 yds and 135 pellets at 40 yds with Kicks Mod
or
Fed Blue Box 3" 1.125 oz #2 patterns 125 pellets at 30 yds and 110 pellets at 40 yds with Carlson Long Range
or
Kent Fasteel 3" 1.25 oz #1 patterns 120 pellets at 30 yds and 100 pellets at 40yds with Carlson Mod
I know most of you load your own and can do better than these. This is what I have to roll with.
Which shell/set up would you shoot over decoys ( 80% mixed ducks and 20% Specs) choosing between
Kent Silver 3.5" 1.5 oz #2 patterns 160 pellets at 30 yds and 135 pellets at 40 yds with Kicks Mod
or
Fed Blue Box 3" 1.125 oz #2 patterns 125 pellets at 30 yds and 110 pellets at 40 yds with Carlson Long Range
or Kent Fasteel 3" 1.25 oz #1 patterns 120 pellets at 30 yds and 100 pellets at 40yds with Carlson Mod
I know most of you load your own and can do better than these. This is what I have to roll with.
I hunt open water out of a perm blind and have to deal with stout winds alot of the time. If the wind is 10mph or less, I shoot a 2 3/4" shell with a 1 1/8oz payload of #2s. I get shots at both ducks and geese most mornings. I try my best to limit my shots to 55 yards or less. That 2 3/4 pip squeek load works great as long as not too much wind. If the wind comes up, I switch to a factory Kent load which is 1 1/4oz #1s at 1425fps. So you can see, I dont need a 3.5" shell for shooting over decoys. The shots at geese are passing shots. Both your Fed load and Kent load should do just fine. When I patterned the Kent load at 45 yards, I was only getting 92/129 but still a killer load even at 73%. I shoot a SBE with Terror .685 or .700. I shoot the .700 most. I hope this is the info you are looking for. Last season, I left my 10ga at home and used only my 12ga with the above loads and my kill ratio seemed to improve over using my 10ga on goose shots.
It depends on your skill level and hunting conditions. For me (when I'm using the 12 ga instead of the 20) 99.9% of the time a
3 1/2" load would be massive overkill. I just don't need or desire to take shots at a range which that load would be beneficial. I'm even starting to back down from the 3" loads but since they only run an extra $1 a box where I'm at the 3" is generally my primary load unless I find a deal on 2 3/4".
In my guns and for the way I hunt , i've seen no reason to change using the Kents . If your hunting over decoys , try those
Kents in 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz of 2's or 3's with your LM choke . They do surprisingly well , in my guns !
My reloads are based on those but , better ! :yes: :smile:
Out of my 12 gauge beretta outlander with mod choke in the 2 3/4 kent 1 1/8 #2s stones them dead over decoys and out to 40 yards. Had good luck with these shells out of a browning silver, benelli m2, and remington 870 as well.
I too have used the Kent 2 3/4" 1 1/8oz #2s. A fine load for factory fodder. My same size reload is much better but the factory Kents are nothing to be sneezed at. I like them too but the 2 3/4" Kents are very very hard to find.
I too have used the Kent 2 3/4" 1 1/8oz #2s. A fine load for factory fodder. My same size reload is much better but the factory Kents are nothing to be sneezed at. I like them too but the 2 3/4" Kents are very very hard to find.
Dick's sporting goods around here usually keeps a whole mess of them in stock. Now watch me go to buy shells today for Saturday's opener, and they have none.
The Federal Speed Shok 3" #2 is fine if you stay 40 yards or less and don't take going away shots at the geese when they are departing.
In fact, my Carlson Mid Range throws as good a pattern as your Long Range with that load. I almost never use my Long Range unless I'm pass shooting in public areas.
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