Recommended shot sizes (non-toxic shot)

[John Mazza]

Gentlemen:

What shot size (for each type of non-tox shot)would you recommend for geese and ducks:

NiceShot
Bismuth
Tungsten Matrix


Also, I have a 12 gauge DH (# 2 frame) with nice 32" D4 barrels. Would I be safe shooting Kent's Tungsten Matrix 2 3/4" shells out of it ?

Please share your experiences.

Thanks !

John

[Destry L. Hoffard]

In the TM, I've killed a shameful amount of ducks with the 1 1/4 of #5.

The 1 3/8 load of #3 is death on geese.

[John Mazza]

Thanks Destry.

I was planning on getting some of the Kent TM (2 3/4") shells in # 3 and # 5 shot.

I was going to shoot them out of my # 2 frame 12 gauge DH with D4 32" barrels (ca. 1895, in nice shape). Then, in a pinch, I thought I could even use these shells in my EH 10 gauge, with ChamberMate silver inserts.

Unofficially (off the record) does this sound OK ? [Pressure-wise]

[Destry L. Hoffard]

They're hot, I'd never recommend shooting them in damascus.

Have I done it? Sure

[John Mazza]

Understood.

Thanks !

[Bill Murphy]

If I were shooting hot 12 gauge loads at waterfowl, and owned a 10 gauge damascus gun, I would shoot my 12 gauge shells in 10 gauge chambermates. It's just easy, and it's very cheap, compared to any alternatives.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Yeah, that would be a good option.

[Jeff Christie]

Where can you get chambermates?

[Mark Landskov]

http://www.chambermates.com/

http://www.gaugemate.com/info/sub-gauge-adapters

Here you go!

[King Brown]

I don't know if Kent is still a Canadian company but countrymen or not the company should be charged with stupidity in International Court at the Hague for abandoning the best non-toxic load ever over decoys: 12 ga Impact TM 2 1/2 inch, 1 1/16oz No. 5 shot, fibre wad, pressure 7500. I believe it's abuse to use the 12ga 2 3/4 TM 1 1/4oz at 1400fps in my American classics. I reload for them.

[Richard Flanders]

Agreed King. I just inherited a full box of Federal Premium shells in copper plated #6 here in Denver. Unfortunately, it's 1-1/8oz 1400fps "magnum" ammo and a bit more than I want to put through even my stoutest #2-frame VH12. I have no idea what the pressure on them is - if anyone knows, please post here. Great long range pheasant load if I could use them. Not much of anything beats the Fed Premium ammo. I'm going to give the box away to someone unless I learn that the pressure isn't near as high as I'm assuming.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Send them on to me Richard. *wink*