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If you had to buy just one load to shoot through a 20ga at mallards, teal, and woodies, what would it be, and why? I'm biased towards slower heavier loads in general but would like to hear other opinions.

Kent Fasteel 3" #3s

Kent 2 3/4" 20ga Upland Steel 5s have been my marsh blind staple for some years now. Mallards and greenwings lead the long list of species we shoot, but the little low brass 5s dump blues/snows and specks, too, if I don't stretch the barrel.

Only real "why" is confidence born of experience. Don't recall exactly when or why I made the switch, but would guess it was precipitated by using up left over "teal" shells. Actually feel a bit less confident when local supply dries up and I have to use 3" 4s, so I stockpile cases of the Upland Steel.

Rick wrote:Kent 2 3/4" 20ga Upland Steel 5s have been my marsh blind staple for some years now. Mallards and greenwings lead the long list of species we shoot, but the little low brass 5s dump blues/snows and specks, too, if I don't stretch the barrel.

Only real "why" is confidence born of experience. Don't recall exactly when or why I made the switch, but would guess it was precipitated by using up left over "teal" shells. Actually feel a bit less confident when local supply dries up and I have to use 3" 4s, so I stockpile cases of the Upland Steel.

I've tried those but, like most Kent shells I've used, the the third round often drops out of my Ithaca M37 when I cycle it after the first shot. The rims are more rounded and don't catch on the shell stop. A problem but better than jamming, which also happens from spent Kent shells not ejecting because they're about .5mm longer than others I've compared. I know lots of people love them, but with this particular gun I can't use them.

2-3/4" Winchester Drylok 4s, or even Xpert 6s, have worked for me at close range, but I haven't put a lot of time in with them.

Had a Ithaca 37 16ga "featherlite(?)" that was bad for dropping shells, but I was never sharp enough to narrow it down to a single brand. Only gun I ever sold before finishing a season with it.

Rick wrote:Had a Ithaca 37 16ga "featherlite(?)" that was bad for dropping shells, but I was never sharp enough to narrow it down to a single brand. Only gun I ever sold before finishing a season with it.

That's the gun. I've hunted 20, 16 and 12ga without issue until I tried Kents.

Mine was circa '70s, long before Kents came along. Remington and Winchester were about it.

Rick wrote:Mine was circa '70s, long before Kents came along. Remington and Winchester were about it.

Interesting. I haven't had any problems with Remington, Winchester or Federal, though I'm sure you've done far more shooting than me over the years. These particular guns were all made in 1940's and 50's.

Rick wrote:Kent 2 3/4" 20ga Upland Steel 5s have been my marsh blind staple for some years now. Mallards and greenwings lead the long list of species we shoot, but the little low brass 5s dump blues/snows and specks, too, if I don't stretch the barrel.

Only real "why" is confidence born of experience. Don't recall exactly when or why I made the switch, but would guess it was precipitated by using up left over "teal" shells. Actually feel a bit less confident when local supply dries up and I have to use 3" 4s, so I stockpile cases of the Upland Steel.

Thanks for that, I looked at the Kent website, hadn't ever noticed the upland steel loads they produce. I've been shooting 12ga, 3' 1&1/4oz #'2's for a few years and like the way they perform but couldn't get the 20ga, 3' 7/8ths oz loads to pattern for shit, I may give the upland steel loads a run at the patterning board.
Anyone shooting the 1oz 20ga offerings on the market?

Black cloud 2s
why because my boy thinks it makes him a better shot .

I like Winchester expert in 3'' 4s when I shoot ducks with a 20 ga
good load I have taken many ducks and geese with it .

firstflight wrote:why because my boy thinks it makes him a better shot .

Confidence is huge.

Rick wrote:

firstflight wrote:why because my boy thinks it makes him a better shot .

Confidence is huge.

Yes that's why he still shoots it .
it makes him happy as a kitten with a new toy with cat nip lol.

Little update. Bought a case of Remington Nitro Mags, 3" 1oz #2's. So far I can report back that they are yellow and waterproof.

Solid reporting.

Never tried the Nitro Mag 20s because Nitro Mags have been problematic in my SBE and some other Italian 12ga guns through my blind. Seemed like there were a few rounds per box that were a hair too big for the I guns' apparently tighter than US chambers. Wouldn't think they'll booger in that Ithaca, though. Probably still cut to dimensions that handled paper hulls that were all over the width scale.

The Duck Hammer wrote:Solid reporting.

Haha.
The facts and nothin' but the facts.
I have killed some ducks with them too so I suppose they'll do

Rick wrote:Never tried the Nitro Mag 20s because Nitro Mags have been problematic in my SBE and some other Italian 12ga guns through my blind. Seemed like there were a few rounds per box that were a hair too big for the I guns' apparently tighter than US chambers. Wouldn't think they'll booger in that Ithaca, though. Probably still cut to dimensions that handled paper hulls that were all over the width scale.

I'm running an M2 with these shells and so far no problems....never tried Nitro Mags in my 12ga Benelli and now that I've read your post I won't even try.