[jlptexashunter]

For all you new guys, and old guys, there is a great article in American Hunter Magazine December 2003 issue, page 44 titled
"Magnum Shotshells Reconsidered" by John M. Taylor.

Very good information regarding Magnum shotshells and whether they are really needed or not.

Here is an excerpt:

"When working up the Federal/Hastings Metro System it was determined that it took a downrange velocity of 600 fps to ensure lethality on Canada Geese. Started with a muzzle velocity of 850 fps, at 55 yards a Federal BB tungsten/iron pellet is going 612 fps, and at 35 yards the BBs are traveling at 724 fps"

Very interesting reading and I may have to go out and buy me some slower loads next time I go goose hunting. Save my shoulder some wear and tear. The load he's talking about there had a recoil of 10.4 ft-lbs. That is absolutely NOTHING. A 3.5" 1 9/16oz Steel BB load at 1300fps has almost double that will less lethality.

Great reading and it may save your shoulder and your wallet in the long run.

 

[Dalee100]

Hi,

Good info! I still use the high velocity loads simply because for my personal shooting style I can get by with a "shorter" lead on the target.

Still, very good info!

Dale

 

[pigsticker]

Hey tex, Great article I saw it too. My feelings exactly!! Alot of what sells nowadays has to be new stuff. The marketing guys can only promote so much of the old things... How mad does one have to be at a duck or turkey to use a 3.5" Mag shell at 20-40 yards!!?? Anyhow the 2 3/4 stuff is much easier to find, shoots softer and is cheaper also. Just another thought. Be well all.

 

[12GA guy]

I don't use the 3.5" shells myself, although the Mossberg 835 will take them, but man, are they hard on the shoulder :shock:

I would be interested in seeing how they determined if 600 fps was lethal on geese. Did they stake one to the ground?

You must keep in mind that a goose flying away from you, at 40 mph, is covering about 12 yards a second. By the time you get your muzzle up, swing, lead, pull the trigger, that sucker has proabably gotten another 25 yards away. I think I would like a shell with a little more speed myself! I use 1-3/8oz 3" loads of copper plated steel BBB or BB, and have found that when actually shooting at a bird, the recoil isn't that bad. The load seems to put them down fine, when I do my part.

 

[wwb]

At last!!!! Some vindication for those of us who have been preaching "bigger ain't necessarily better". You just know, however, that those guys with the 3-1/2 inchers are going to stick to their guns (literally).