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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ Ducks w/ a 16 ga. |
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Posted:
Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:16 pm
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Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 9
Location: Louisiana
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I plan to use on of two 16 ga. guns for teal and small ducks this year over decoys. I have on old (1953) Remington wingmaster choked IC and a savage-fox B choked full and modified. Any thoughts as to which would be better? I bought some bismuth shells: any other recommendations for soft steel guns? Thanks in advance for any thoughts/recommendations. |
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Posted:
Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:31 pm
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Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Posts: 102
Location: Boulder City, NV
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You can also shoot the Kent Tungsten Matrix shells safely through your guns. Stick to them and bismuth loads, and you'll be alright. Personally, I'd use to the Savage-Fox, because in my experience both the bismuth and the Kent loads pattern more closely to lead loads than steel, which generally requires a more open choke to pattern well. I shoot bismuth reloads through my Ithaca M37 (modified choke) and knock them down pretty well to about 35 yards. Any further out than that I stick with a modern 12 gauge gun with steel or Hevi-shot. |
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Posted:
Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:06 am
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Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 9
Location: Louisiana
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Haiwee: Actually I had been using an Ithaca 37 in 12 ga., especially for small ducks. It worked fine with # 3 steel and # 6 Hevishot but (on the advice of someone who 'knew') I bought some steel BB in case of goose. Big mistake. The gun now chokes as IC and I am debating what to do (choke tubes, new barrel, etc). So the Savage/Fox B will get the nod for teal. I now have a 3" BPS for goose and can use it for ducks, but it seems so excessive and heavy.
Thanks for your input re: the Tungsten matrix. I will give them a try. |
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Posted:
Mon Sep 11, 2006 4:32 am
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Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 743
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The Kent TM's are great. The load I'd recommend is 1 1/4 oz 5's. That will definitely stone a duck well out there, and your Fox B will handle it very well. So would your Remington, for that matter. |
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Posted:
Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:40 am
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Member
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 665
Location: Louisiana
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Doc--I use a lighter load than Larry for Ring Necks, Read Heads and decoying Canvasbacks (1 0z. T/M 6's or the 1 1/8oz. 5's)---few survivors if I do my part. For a while I tried Bismuth but found it inferior to(and more expensive than)the Tungsten Matirx shells. Ultimately the choice will be made based on your experience of course |
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Posted:
Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:56 pm
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Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 9
Location: Louisiana
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Larry & Wood cock:
I will look for the T/M 16 ga. loads Wednesday. I lean toward the # 6 for teal, but # 5 for later in the season sounds like the right call. As I have two hunting friends who think 3 1/2" 12s are the way to go, I should have fun just uncasing the 16s. Actually, one has a 16 ga. A-5. Think I could show him the value of bringing it back to the marsh? Thanks for your help. |
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Posted:
Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:44 pm
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Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Posts: 50
Location: john day, or
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I find that 15/16 oz #6 Hevi Shot reloads kills ducks over decoys most effectively (mostly mallards and golden eyes). BP recipe.
Wonder when we are going to have 24k gold shot, price for HeviShot is outta sight. |
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Posted:
Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:26 am
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Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 743
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Kent no longer makes 16ga loads with TM 6's. 5's only, either 1 1/16 or 1 1/4 oz.
Concerning Hevi-Shot . . . IMPORTANT REMINDER: It is harder than steel. If you have an old gun that won't handle steel, then it certainly won't handle HS. I would not use HS in any older shotgun, whether it's a double, pump, or autoloader. |
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Posted:
Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:05 am
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Member
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 665
Location: Louisiana
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Hey 311, you can get gold shot now (10k only) at BENDOVER.com. They are affiliated with GOTCHANOW, Inc. |
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Posted:
Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:12 am
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Member
Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 2016
Location: Glendale, AZ
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Posted:
Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:00 am
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Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 311
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IIRC, the BPI catalog is still showing Kent TM available in 6's. Probably leftover inventory. If you need 6's you may want to order them while you still can. |
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