Question What shot size for snow geese over decoys?

**Catfishsteve** · 02-09-2008, 02:38 PM

What size steel shot shells should I plan to use to hunts snows over dekes?

(BB's, T's??)

I don't even know what they make anymore. I know there's lot's newfangled stuff out there like heavi-shot and Black Cloud and Tungsten.

What do you guys use? I'd really like to know?

Thanks!

jimbosan · 02-09-2008, 03:26 PM

bigquackattack · 02-09-2008, 03:54 PM

20 mm does a nice job!

Actually I shoot a lot of BB, but I prefer #1s if you can get them up close and personal. Number 2's work as well, but I think 1's or BB's are the ticket. Shoot different loads out of your gun and see how they pattern.

**Ty Stromquist** · 02-09-2008, 04:30 PM

All I ever buy is #2s. I shoot these at everything except teal.

I gots no problems killing birds with them.

akareddog · 02-09-2008, 04:50 PM

BB's but thinking about 1 shot

parker20 · 02-09-2008, 05:30 PM

if your shots are close 2's or 1's are fine if you start shooting past 40 yards you should shoot BB's or BBB's you loose alot of patern density with T's and i dont think i have ever that good with them to justify using them a good load of BB's will easly take you to 65 yards if you are ok shooting that far i am not telling people that it is required to shoot snows that far but if you are good and have shot alot and are confident you can do it and you will cripple less with BB's at exstended ranges

jimbosan · 02-09-2008, 10:45 PM

reddog;
If you were using BB's when you killed all those honkers in your avatar I don't think I would even remotely toy with the idea of changing to a different size shot. If it aint broke don't fix it!

bigquackattack · 02-10-2008, 12:58 PM

One of the things you can do is layer your shot size. You can put a #2 in the chamber for that first shot. Then follow with a #1 (last one loaded into magazine then BB's. In theory you are using bigger shot the farther away the birds are so you have more reach.

**Ty Stromquist** · 02-10-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigquackattack

One of the things you can do is layer your shot size. You can put a #2 in the chamber for that first shot. Then follow with a #1 (last one loaded into magazine then BB's. In theory you are using bigger shot the farther away the birds are so you have more reach.

I do that quite often. Especially Ill use a 3"er first then follow up with 3.5". For snows though I am not that picky. Ive never had any evidence to show me that I cripple more with #2s or BBs. I buy shells by the case so thats why i get #2s. Works for ducks and geese.

akareddog · 02-10-2008, 08:24 PM

Ok, Jimbosan I guess I'll have to stick with BB's then.
They are my best friend when it comes to shooting geese.

kaiserduckhelm · 02-10-2008, 08:31 PM

2's and 1's are what I'm tossing. Picked up 4 cases of 3 inch HV on clearance yesterday.

south of 41 · 02-10-2008, 08:34 PM

akareddogs

Were the guys who killed all those geese in your Avatar shooting BB too

Goosegunner · 02-10-2008, 11:03 PM

All we shoot are 3" #2's, in both 20 and 12 guage, for both ducks and geese. We messed with #4's for awhile on ducks but they just tear them up to bad. Our average shot is around 30-35 yards, decoyed with feet down, a long shot would be considered 40-50 yards gettin' out of dodge.
#2's kill big canadians just fine, so I assume they would be more than enough for snows. Just my opinion, Gunner

Willhuntforfood · 02-10-2008, 11:56 PM

Well I start with 2's....then when I run out I use all the ones in my box in the garage of shells that got dipped in the marsh or forgot in the blind....

Then I buy more 2's....

Black Lab 1 · 02-11-2008, 08:47 AM

When I go snow goose hunting, I usually use BB's becasue it's what I use for Canada's and I have more than a few boxes here at home

h2ofwlr · 02-14-2008, 12:41 PM

I use 3" 3 shot, crushes Snows out to 45yds.(over decoys) Nice dense pattern with a wallop when you get them going with the 1450+fps loads.

If over that, I go to 3.5" in BBB The pellet count is nearly the same for BB and BBB, only .02" difference in size between BB and BBB. And in a 1 1/8oz 3" load, the pellet count is the same according to Ballistic Lab chart.

**Catfishsteve** · 02-14-2008, 12:48 PM

This is what I love about this forum, a guy will get tons of good info and lot's of different opinions to look over and try. Thanks to everyone for their great answers!!

Commando · 02-14-2008, 01:24 PM

I used to shoot BBB or T at all geese and then I got a Terror Tube last spring. I found that 2's patterned the best out of it and that's all I shot this fall at ducks or geese. It also made it so I didn't have to worry about switching shells if I was on a multi-species hunt. I was really surprised with the damage that the 2's did on big canadas. I'm shooting mostly 2's at snows but did pick up some 4's and BB's because they were too cheap to pass up and I always need spare shells for chasing down cripples.

J.D. · 02-14-2008, 07:41 PM

Over decoys 2's and 3's.

02-09-2008, 02:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 21 Thanked 113 Times in 35 Posts	What shot size for snow geese over decoys? What size steel shot shells should I plan to use to hunts snows over dekes? (BB's, T's??) I don't even know what they make anymore. I know there's lot's newfangled stuff out there like heavi-shot and Black Cloud and Tungsten. What do you guys use? I'd really like to know? Thanks!

02-09-2008, 03:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
jimbosan Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Blair, Nebraska Posts: 1,513 Thanks: 8 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	BB's __________________ GET EM CLOSE/happiness is a bloody arrow!

02-09-2008, 04:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ty Stromquist Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in a treestand Posts: 4,009 Thanks: 52 Thanked 24 Times in 19 Posts	All I ever buy is #2s. I shoot these at everything except teal. I gots no problems killing birds with them. __________________ "Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person." - Fred Bear

02-09-2008, 10:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
jimbosan Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Blair, Nebraska Posts: 1,513 Thanks: 8 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	reddog; If you were using BB's when you killed all those honkers in your avatar I don't think I would even remotely toy with the idea of changing to a different size shot. If it aint broke don't fix it! __________________ GET EM CLOSE/happiness is a bloody arrow!

02-10-2008, 08:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
kaiserduckhelm Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 267 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	2's and 1's are what I'm tossing. Picked up 4 cases of 3 inch HV on clearance yesterday. __________________ Out-the-Window Outfitters. "Our drinking team has a hunting problem."

02-09-2008, 03:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigquackattack Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Close to the creek Posts: 128 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	20 mm does a nice job! Actually I shoot a lot of BB, but I prefer #1s if you can get them up close and personal. Number 2's work as well, but I think 1's or BB's are the ticket. Shoot different loads out of your gun and see how they pattern.

02-09-2008, 04:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
akareddog Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	BB's but thinking about 1 shot

02-09-2008, 05:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
parker20 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: waverly Posts: 59 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	if your shots are close 2's or 1's are fine if you start shooting past 40 yards you should shoot BB's or BBB's you loose alot of patern density with T's and i dont think i have ever that good with them to justify using them a good load of BB's will easly take you to 65 yards if you are ok shooting that far i am not telling people that it is required to shoot snows that far but if you are good and have shot alot and are confident you can do it and you will cripple less with BB's at exstended ranges

02-10-2008, 12:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
bigquackattack Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Close to the creek Posts: 128 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	One of the things you can do is layer your shot size. You can put a #2 in the chamber for that first shot. Then follow with a #1 (last one loaded into magazine then BB's. In theory you are using bigger shot the farther away the birds are so you have more reach.

02-10-2008, 08:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
akareddog Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ok, Jimbosan I guess I'll have to stick with BB's then. They are my best friend when it comes to shooting geese.

02-10-2008, 08:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
south of 41 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: sea monster Posts: 2,237 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	akareddogs Were the guys who killed all those geese in your Avatar shooting BB too __________________ The advantage of a classical education is that it enables you to despise the wealth that it prevents you from achieving. Eighty percent of success is showing up. RECOVERING NICOTINE ADDICT SINCE April 6th 2008

02-10-2008, 11:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
Goosegunner Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kearney Posts: 89 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	All we shoot are 3" #2's, in both 20 and 12 guage, for both ducks and geese. We messed with #4's for awhile on ducks but they just tear them up to bad. Our average shot is around 30-35 yards, decoyed with feet down, a long shot would be considered 40-50 yards gettin' out of dodge. #2's kill big canadians just fine, so I assume they would be more than enough for snows. Just my opinion, Gunner

02-10-2008, 11:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
Willhuntforfood Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Well I start with 2's....then when I run out I use all the ones in my box in the garage of shells that got dipped in the marsh or forgot in the blind.... Then I buy more 2's....

02-11-2008, 08:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
Black Lab 1 Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 693 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	When I go snow goose hunting, I usually use BB's becasue it's what I use for Canada's and I have more than a few boxes here at home

02-14-2008, 12:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
h2ofwlr Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I use 3" 3 shot, crushes Snows out to 45yds.(over decoys) Nice dense pattern with a wallop when you get them going with the 1450+fps loads. If over that, I go to 3.5" in BBB The pellet count is nearly the same for BB and BBB, only .02" difference in size between BB and BBB. And in a 1 1/8oz 3" load, the pellet count is the same according to Ballistic Lab chart.

02-14-2008, 12:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 21 Thanked 113 Times in 35 Posts	This is what I love about this forum, a guy will get tons of good info and lot's of different opinions to look over and try. Thanks to everyone for their great answers!!

02-14-2008, 01:24 PM	#18 (permalink)
Commando Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norfolk, NE Posts: 264 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I used to shoot BBB or T at all geese and then I got a Terror Tube last spring. I found that 2's patterned the best out of it and that's all I shot this fall at ducks or geese. It also made it so I didn't have to worry about switching shells if I was on a multi-species hunt. I was really surprised with the damage that the 2's did on big canadas. I'm shooting mostly 2's at snows but did pick up some 4's and BB's because they were too cheap to pass up and I always need spare shells for chasing down cripples. __________________ I like poetry, long walks on the beach, and poking dead things with a stick.

02-14-2008, 07:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
J.D. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Over decoys 2's and 3's. __________________ Eyes to the skies.......

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