Hunting over Decoys , I have a Mod in the Bottom barrel and a IM in the top barrel . I shoot Kents 3" in 7/8 oz of 3's and 2's .
This gives me the ability to take large Ducks out past 40 yds , if they don't commit to the Decoys or going away birds .

In most cases of waterfowling a IC or Mod choke would be better for the average shooter and 3's a better choice ! :thumbsup:

SHOOT STRAIGHT and it doesn't matter , if you stay with-in your ( Range ) ability !

 

I have a fixed choke Beretta with IC/M chokes and with Kent 3in 7/8oz of 2s or 3s it works extremely well to 40yds. It patterns these loads pretty tight with a core pattern of only about 24-26 inches at 35yds and very few hits in the surrounding area so you have to be on your game or you have a big miss. Put the pattern where it belongs and you have dead ducks!

BobM

 

What brand of chokes are you all shooting?

 

I have Briley's and Carlson extended chokes , with both patterning about the same in my gun ! You would have to findout
for yourself , what shoots best in your gun/choke combo . You can't go wrong starting out with a IC and shooting 7/8 oz of
3's but , having a box of 2's and a Mod choke in your bag would be wise if you have Geese in your area , like I do !

 

I use ic/ic or ic/mod in my Fabarms o/u with factory chokes and use a 1oz load of Kent TM in 5 or 6. Most of the time I'm shooting over decoys in farm ponds.

 

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If I had to pick one choke for 20ga decoy duck shooting I would probably go with an IC and be shooting #4 steel for early and small duck shooting and move to #3 steel loads for later season mostly mallard shooting.

Here are some pattern numbers from my 20 gauge to give you an idea of the kind of patterns you might get but you will need to pattern your gun/choke/load to check their performance since they may vary from mine.

20-gauge Browning Citori with 28" Invector-plus barrels and Briley flush chokes (patterns average of five, 30" post-shot scribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, and in-shell pellet count average of five).

20 GA 3" REMINGTON NITRO-STEEL LOAD
1 oz #4 steel (191 pellets) @ 1,330 fps
30 YARDS - IC / pattern 164 (86%)

20 GA 3" WINCHESTER DRYLOK STEEL LOAD
1 oz #3 steel (145 pellets) @ 1,330 fps
30 YARDS - IC / pattern 123 (85%)

Good luck.

 

Joe Hunter

I shoot the same O/U , 28" barrel and really see no difference shooting it over decoys , verses my 12 ga . Even though
I use a little bigger shot and a tighter choke , I have no problem killing Mallard size birds out to 45 yds . When Geese come
over ( Specks / Snows ) inside 45 yds I have pretty darn good luck . Our 20's are shooting machines , very quick , eazy to
load and a joy to carry out in the field , after hunting the early season Doves it's dead on for waterfowl .

Good hunting

3200 man

 

I bought a inexpensive 20 to play with. It's a Yildiz A71 gas auto. So far I've put down the best patterns with the factory IM choke (it came with 5 chokes). With Win Drylock 3" 1 oz #3s I'm getting 40 yard patterns that average in th low 80 percent. I will probably back off to my MOD choke with that load for early season.

 

When I shoot my O/U at decoying ducks, I normally use these chokes and use one of these loads or combos of loads.

20-gauge Browning Citori with 28" Invector-plus barrels and Briley flush chokes (patterns average of five, 30" post-shot scribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, and in-shell pellet count average of five).

20 GA 3" REMINGTON NITRO-STEEL LOAD
1 oz #4 steel (191 pellets) @ 1,330 fps
30 YARDS - SK / pattern 134 (70%)
40 YARDS - IM / pattern 147 (77%)

20 GA 3" WINCHESTER DRYLOK STEEL LOAD
1 oz #3 steel (145 pellets) @ 1,330 fps
30 YARDS - SK / pattern 114 (78%)
40 YARDS - IM / pattern 106 (73%)

20 GA 3" REMINGTON NITRO-STEEL LOAD
1 oz #2 steel (118 pellets) @ 1,330 fps
30 YARDS - SK / pattern 101 (86%)
40 YARDS - IM / pattern 99 (84%)

For small or close puddle ducks over decoys the No. 4 steel load is hard to beat.

The No. 3 steel pellet/load is a great all-around duck pellet/load.

And, when mallard only shooting steel No. 2s are a good choice.

Good luck.

 

I am going to get a Benelli Cordoba. Does anybody have any experience with Benelli 20 gauges?

 

I am going to get a Benelli Cordoba. Does anybody have any experience with Benelli 20 gauges?

 

Are you going to get 2 of them. You may not believe it, but the best thing you can buy is some shells and paper and go pattern your factory chokes beginning with the modified and 1 ounce of #4 shot then adjust from there.

 

No, only one lol. Sorry about the double post, I only posted it once... :huh: But I definitely believe in patterning, I was just looking for a proven starting point. My buddy has a 20 gauge M2 and he swears by the factory IM with 3" Kent #4's, but other people have other combos. I just figured I would see what everyone on here had to say.

 

I shoot a Benelli M2 20 gauge with Kent #4 and factory IC choke. I have sold all my autoloading 12 gauge guns after using this combo.

Never shot a Cordoba but, in my opinion, Benelli 20 gauges are the best available.

 

I shoot a Benelli M2 20 gauge with Kent #4 and factory IC choke. I have sold all my autoloading 12 gauge guns after using this combo.

Never shot a Cordoba but, in my opinion, Benelli 20 gauges are the best available.

Just re-purchased (from a client) the MII 20 gauge I sold him a couple years ago and, between this one and my 16 ga. AyA (have to use TM/ITX in it) will be my primary duck guns.

The Benelli/Beretta's are the opposite in 20 gauge of their 12 gauges in that the 20 gauges are actuall "overbored" compared to the Remington 20 gauges whereas the opposite is true with the 12's. Go figure.