Post-Season 2018

[Ducaholic]

When you think about it shotgun shells they are probably the least expensive thing we buy in the big scheme of things from an equipment perspective and the most important IMO. I don't buy the most expensive nor to I buy the least expensive but when it comes to shells I'm going to buy something that gives me confidence to make the shots I know I can make down range. Teal and early season that's going to be a quality 3" 1/1/4 Oz. shell and when the second split rolls around especially in January I'm going to 3.5" 1 1/2 Oz. shell. Total cost for the year about 300.00 dollars if the ducks are cooperating. That's 5.00 dollars a day for the season. Well worth the money.

[aunt betty]

There has to be at least one ballistics guy here. How many #7's does it take to kill a mallard? How many #2's?
BB? I knew a guy who shot nothing but BB. He was one of the extreme range types that we kind of try to avoid.

about 5 pellets at about 2.5 ft lbs of energy to penetrate vitals

Learn something every day. Hmmm. If I lift a one pound duck up 2.5 feet upwards it'll die? (only if you pick it up by it's johnson) Something goofy about that unit. I could spread that 2.5 foot pounds out to last a week and it's till 2.5 foot-pounds of work or energy. There some little piece of info missing. The "impulse". How long it takes to apply the force.

The physics analysis of a collision between a duck and a small spherical projectile must include that little detail.
Draw a free-body diagram plz.

[Darren]

Shoot whatever works for you is my opinion.

I shoot mainly bb’s the whole season. Have for many years now. If others think that’s crazy,oh well.

I know though if you are in a field combo duck/goose situation—- if you go smaller then 2’s,the geese better be in your face or you’ll watch a lot glide off going down at an angle WITH conventional steel shot

I think that's certainly wise given your particular setup; went through a case of 1's in Bunkie last year and hope to do it again this season.


From the Rosner lethality chart, it shows #6 lethal out to "up to" 45 yards, that's presumably at the hotter end of the velocity spectrum he showed, think we all can agree that shooting #6's at 45 yards probably not the best idea. BUT A #6 can't be all that much more lethal than a #7 given comparable velocity, so would think 7's or so still a legit < 30 yards teal load.

Tend to agree with John though, why cut corners where the proverbial rubber meets the road, where your long anticipated shot meets feather. This discussion of the cheapest effective option available is just for fun, as the early teal season is about the only time you can get away with less than ideal loads to save a few bucks.

[Rick]

...as the early teal season is about the only time you can get away with less than ideal loads to save a few bucks.

I'd like to think using up whatever's in the bag explains much of the empty hull assortment I find in the blind during September teal time...

[Rick]

Am currently getting a grin out of how a "Smaller Gauges for Waterfowl" thread on DHC has morphed into a discussion of super-duper-killer-diller 10ga loads, because ducks won't come close anywhere (private or public) in Missouri. Must not be flooding enough corn...

[DComeaux]

This for teal, also in the 7/12, and 23/4 #4 for the big show. The #4 is at 1550...We seem to be doing okay with both of those.

5d9b573190c5802104b7b0c156955d32.jpg

[aunt betty]

What we all do is called waterfowl hunting but what I do is not even comparable to what you guys consider barely acceptable.
Hard to explain. My chances of bagging a goose on public are like a million to one. There are like 15 BB shells in my bag. They've been there so long that I am not sure I'd shoot them. Hunting in a little tiny hole 25 yards across.

Ah the duck squirter motion decoy failure.

[aunt betty]

Wonder what size shot is in the shells that this guy uses.
Heard of a shotgun start for golf but this is ridicurus.

[DComeaux]

This for teal, also in the 7/12, and 23/4 #4 for the big show. The #4 is at 1550...We seem to be doing okay with both of those.

5d9b573190c5802104b7b0c156955d32.jpg

How does that hull and casing do as far as holding up in auto loaders?

Can't say john, I don't reload, but the casing seems stiff enough.

[Darren]

This for teal, also in the 7/12, and 23/4 #4 for the big show. The #4 is at 1550...We seem to be doing okay with both of those.

5d9b573190c5802104b7b0c156955d32.jpg

How does that hull and casing do as far as holding up in auto loaders?

Can't say john, I don't reload, but the casing seems stiff enough.

He talking auto shotguns or re-loading machines? I had good results with that light #6 load, DC, killed teal ducks dead seemingly just the same as a heavy 3" #4. Talking just over dekes, didn't push it to distance but also didn't find a discernible max range, birds just fell

[Darren]

Am currently getting a grin out of how a "Smaller Gauges for Waterfowl" thread on DHC has morphed into a discussion of super-duper-killer-diller 10ga loads, because ducks won't come close anywhere (private or public) in Missouri. Must not be flooding enough corn...

At least they're shooting at ducks, here in Louisiana there are zero ducks anymore, so no use for a 10 ga anyway!

[DComeaux]

This for teal, also in the 7/12, and 23/4 #4 for the big show. The #4 is at 1550...We seem to be doing okay with both of those.

5d9b573190c5802104b7b0c156955d32.jpg

How does that hull and casing do as far as holding up in auto loaders?

Can't say john, I don't reload, but the casing seems stiff enough.

He talking auto shotguns or re-loading machines? I had good results with that light #6 load, DC, killed teal ducks dead seemingly just the same as a heavy 3" #4. Talking just over dekes, didn't push it to distance but also didn't find a discernible max range, birds just fell

If that's the case, I've/we've had zero issues with these shells in the guns. These in my VersaMax are like shooting a BB gun, I feel nothing. Makes it nice for that time when we're hunting in light weight summer clothes. (no coats)

[DComeaux]

Am currently getting a grin out of how a "Smaller Gauges for Waterfowl" thread on DHC has morphed into a discussion of super-duper-killer-diller 10ga loads, because ducks won't come close anywhere (private or public) in Missouri. Must not be flooding enough corn...

At least they're shooting at ducks, here in Louisiana there are zero ducks anymore, so no use for a 10 ga anyway!

I'm keeping a log, date stamped, of these comments to present at a later date......maybe in a just a few short years from now. Sort of like pre Trump election clips by the left media.

[DComeaux]

yes I was meaning no issue in the gun

as far as the versamax,,any issue with the fore end cap loosening? That has been the only issue I have ever seen written about that gun,and supposedly it was in the early production---that gun is supposed to be a hammer

what is the stock length of pull? probably 14 3/4"----length of pull is critical for me being able to be able to hit like I want too is why I ask---really 14 flat is my ideal fit,especially with any kind of winter clothing

Yes, I've always checked those on all Remington's after each volley. It has been for forever, for me, a habit following reload. Though, those on the 1100's and 1187's didn't seem to do this.

I'm not sure of the pull, I'll have to check that. Whatever it is, it works for me.

[Rick]

That burlap self painted or store-bought, and if the later do you recall the pattern?

[Rick]

Am currently getting a grin out of how a "Smaller Gauges for Waterfowl" thread on DHC has morphed into a discussion of super-duper-killer-diller 10ga loads, because ducks won't come close anywhere (private or public) in Missouri. Must not be flooding enough corn...

At least they're shooting at ducks, here in Louisiana there are zero ducks anymore, so no use for a 10 ga anyway!

I'm keeping a log, date stamped, of these comments to present at a later date......maybe in a just a few short years from now. Sort of like pre Trump election clips by the left media.

To what end, Dave? Lafayette was chock-a-block with old duck hunters who'd already abandoned the sport when I got here in '83, because "The ducks don't come any more." Things change, and migrations that know and care nothing of corn shift. And we keep cramming more guns into less land to help spur on change in the migrations that matter to us.

[Rick]

as far as the versamax,,any issue with the fore end cap loosening? That has been the only issue I have ever seen written about that gun...

Have seen online complaints of gas blow-back in the shooter's face from under the forearm - and recommended electrical tape shimming to prevent it.

[Darren]

Am currently getting a grin out of how a "Smaller Gauges for Waterfowl" thread on DHC has morphed into a discussion of super-duper-killer-diller 10ga loads, because ducks won't come close anywhere (private or public) in Missouri. Must not be flooding enough corn...

At least they're shooting at ducks, here in Louisiana there are zero ducks anymore, so no use for a 10 ga anyway!

I'm keeping a log, date stamped, of these comments to present at a later date......maybe in a just a few short years from now. Sort of like pre Trump election clips by the left media.

Go right ahead. There may be some changes here and there, but not the mass hysteria that J. G. would lead some to believe. My talks with the old timers at a club near Rick said same thing 8 years ago when I first hunted with them, "birds don't come here any more" they said, but since then I've put a few feathers on the cutting board from that location to the furthest east points of our state.

Things are changing, again, it's just not the mass chaos that some are claiming. One guy says "no birds are down" while the next farm over is blazing away, just all about perspective. Day before opener just this past season I saw waves on waves on waves of birds such that none of us from that area had ever seen before regardless of weather, time of season, etc. Plenty still came and we made out just fine. One thing is for certain, we have high expectations down here that's for sure! What's a junk slow hunt for us down here is bragworthy in a lot of other areas, again, perspective and expectations. If truly no birds, we'll still gain plenty of weight each season going to the camps regardless



@JohnC, no issues with those little dove loads in my M2, cycled just as a 3" would, didn't notice particular deformity of the hull

[DComeaux]

One guy says "no birds are down" while the next farm over is blazing away, just all about perspective.

I don't think it's a perspective, but more the reality of not having enough birds to go around. I think all of the prime areas, areas where ducks have migrated to over, and over again through time, will always have some, but these prime areas are not so reliable anymore. Is lack of migration numbers causing this? Seems if only so many migrate at one time, during one push, they'll all be in the same place when they get here, and that's where you'd want to be, as some are.

I did witness an impressive influx (migration) over a couple of days last season, with a mass exodus a few days later. This, during the cold spell up north, and I'd assume those northern, golden nuggets they couldn't shake from their memory. Like you, we're going to be out there regardless. I'm starting to get that excited feeling. Teal is getting close.

[Rick]

I did witness an impressive influx (migration) over a couple of days last season, with a mass exodus a few days later. This, during the cold spell up north, and I'd assume those northern, golden nuggets they couldn't shake from their memory.

Don't know how many golden nuggets they find there, but do know guys in Arkansas who live for thaws when the ducks we've banged the heck out of here show back up in the rice and oaks.

[Rick]

I'm starting to get that excited feeling. Teal is getting close.

Sweet Chereaux is off with a bunch of the kids on some Florida beach, so I'm taking full advantage of getting to blow my calls as loud and long as I want any time I want and even have the Model 12 propped by this desk to practice shooting points on the walls with its bass-akward safety whenever I take a fit to. Miss her for sure, but "home alone" has its perks.

[DComeaux]

I'm starting to get that excited feeling. Teal is getting close.

Sweet Chereaux is off with a bunch of the kids on some Florida beach, so I'm taking full advantage of getting to blow my calls as loud and long as I want any time I want and even have the Model 12 propped by this desk to practice shooting points on the walls with its bass-akward safety whenever I take a fit to. Miss her for sure, but "home alone" has its perks.

I cherish those alone days, and I do the same. The cats don't care much for the Riceland......

[Deltaman]

"Tend to agree with John though, why cut corners where the proverbial rubber meets the road, where your long anticipated shot meets feather. This discussion of the cheapest effective option available is just for fun, as the early teal season is about the only time you can get away with less than ideal loads to save a few bucks."

I'm still pissed we can't use the low brass lead #8 dove loads that we grew up with for shooting teal ........dammit!

[aunt betty]

Ah teal season. That's where I go set up in somewhere I'm not supposed to be and get my boat bombarded with crappie jigs.
It's always such fun to jump up and shoot a pair of pretend teal just so I can watch two grown men jump out of a fishing boat into 4 feet of water.
Always a lot of fun. Delightful.

[aunt betty]

Well if I ever brag about a hunt and it seems "meh" by your standards it's because I worked ten times harder and spent ten times longer afield to get the brag strap. I have to set thru a blizzard and wait wait wait for it to end so the ducks can finally come down under the clouds. Have to have extreme faith that they're up there out of sight.

Have a network of hunters and we get buzzing like crazy when it's right.

Have actually had Brian Malone from Ottawa (IL) on the phone coaching me as he's looking at his radar. "Wait another 90 minutes" and they'll be there. That guy is worth paying to take you hunting. He oozes knowledge and you get taught without even trying.
He has a ton of bands and every 5th word out of his mouth is "band". I've only met one guy with more bands. HARPIE!


Brian's at Braidwood. Go find him and learn.
Ask him to bring Cody Fink. You'll have a blast.
Those two guys speak fluent Canadian (goose) lol