shot size

[kingsax26]

loyalist, the problem is that I dont ahve any place near me to buy different sizes in small amounts. the only thing I can do order 25lb bags online 5lb bags for the price of 25lb bags from TOW or 25lb from my local shooting supplier. unless you wanna make me some 1lb baggies of different sizes and mail them to me! ill trade ya, lead for lead

I'd rather not ahve 200 lbs of various shot in my 1lb appt

 

[Patocazador]

You may want to pattern some duplex loads too! I have had good results on large canada geese with BB/ #1, BB/#3 in steel and in ITX. I have used #2 steel with #5 ITX on late season ducks and #4/#6 ITX for turkeys.

For best results, do you layer the shot or mix it together?

 

[azmntman]

I suggest using a magic bullet for proper mixture of different shot sizes. Dont let your wife know why your taking it to the shop though. :blah:

 

[Swede50]

I don't have a BP Smooth bore at this time.
I use #6 when I go hunting doves, quail, rabbits & squils
When I hunt for pheasants I use #4shot.

I did hunt Rabbits in the past with my 50cal but only head shots.

 

[Spikebuck]

#8.......averages 399 pellets per ounce
#7½....averages 338 pellets per ounce
#7.......averages 291 pellets per ounce
#6.......averages 218 pellets per ounce
#5.......averages 168 pellets per ounce
#4.......averages 132 pellets per ounce

LD

Bryon...take a good look at those pellet counts. I can tell you from experience that #6's will kill turkeys very dead at any yardage you'll be likely to get a good pattern with a cylinder bore and further. I've killed a lot of squirrels using 6's and rabbits wouldn't take anymore. You don't need 4's for that kind of game at the yardages you'll be shooting at, in all likelihood.

My personal preference has been more shot in the pattern than bigger shot with fewer pellets. I also like to not have to stock separate sizes for different small game species. I just vary the load (more powder and shot for turkey, for example, than squirrels). #6 seems to be a great all-around shot size.

Of course this assumes you can get a good pattern with 6's, but I would think that should not be a problem. I'll bet you'll get more 6's in a circle than 4's.

You've probably already checked out Rotometals. They have whatever size you want.

 

[Blackbruin]

As suggested by a friend, for as much as I shoot shot instead of buying 25lb bags that would last me more than a lifetime, I have tons of shells given or bought by me over the years, I just cut them open for as much as I use them!

 

[Oldnamvet]

I like to use #4 or #2 shot. Fewer to pick out when cleaning the game. Used to hate it with 7.5 shot when you'd see all these little spots with fur or feathers sticking out. Start plucking it out and eventually you'd have a little ball of fur/feathers with a small shot in the middle.

 

[azmntman]

not to mention the teeth issue :td: Size 4 is a minimum here except for quail which i miss 90m % of the time anyway and then breast out.

 

[kingsax26]

i did look at rotometals and im highly considering placing an order...anyone wann go havsies?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

The problem isn't simply the number of pellets, you can have a great pattern that is crap on game..., for the smaller the shot the lower the weight of each pellet, and thus they shed velocity faster. So when they hit the feathers on a pheasant or a turkey, you may need mass to punch through to the actual bird. Some folks add weight by adding more shot to compensate for the reduction in the number of pellets, so velocity is lost.

Hence the tuna can test.

LD

 

[Flintlock58]

I mix it in advance.

 

[aeatwood]

What Spikebuck said. As a GENERAL rule, I have also seen that tighter chokes do better with smaller shot that more open chokes, but each gun is a law unto itself.

My 8-bore full choke trap gun will do a number on starlings out as far as I can see the little buggers with #8 shot. 1 oz square loads, with walmart poster board for wads.

 

[White Oak]

All depends on what you intend to shoot and at what range. I use 1 1/4 oz of 7 1/2 shot especially for turkeys. A lot of pellets in that load out of my 12 ga. But I am limited by the cylinder bore and most of our turkeys are killed within 20 yds, sometimes closer. You can put a bunch of pellets in the head and neck out to 30 yds. If I could shoot at longer ranges I would consider larger shot.
Take care,
Ed

 

[kingsax26]

ok so now to open a can of worms.....what would you guys reccomnend for squirrels out to say 30 yards....probably closer to 20 yards this is all new to me im used to zinging them with a lead ball

 

[Wes/Tex]

5 or 6 ought to do it!

 

[White Oak]

What Wes/Tex said. You gotta penetrate some skin on those tree rats.

 

[bpd303]

I usually use #4, less shot and easier to pick out but 5 or 6 will work just fine.

 

[azmntman]

I hate picking out shot! I usually use a .32 but have and will again use a 20GA. Broken/chipped teeth suc_! :cursing:

 

[azmntman]

Oh yea, and when I did and do I use # 4