Finding out for myself.
I shot pigeons recently and I took along my 20 gauge reproduction used #4 shot 7/8 oz, 16 gauge Merkel 1 oz #6 shot, and Remington 12 gauge RST 2 1/2” woodcock loads #10 shot 7/8 oz.
I shot best with the Merkel and Remington percentage wise. What surprised me was how well the #10 woodcock loads performed. I was shooting birds that provided multiple presentations from 20 to 40 yards. These are big healthy pigeons that eat well at the dairy where I was shooting.
I shot one box of the woodcock loads and killed 17 birds outright. 2 additional birds fell with broken wings one of which was a trailing bird on a true double.
Two birds were lost that were hit but did not drop within my view. The rest I believe I missed.
I know that there is a lot of different opinions on #10 shot but I must say the results really surprised me. My Remington is choked really full so I’m sure this helped.
I had been really pleased with shooting Mearns quail over my dogs last year with this load but did not expect the performance these gave me on pigeons.
Just sharing for what ever it’s worth.
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