New to the forum I am excited to hear your thoughts!
My set-up:
12 gauge semi-auto - 6's or 7 1/2 full choke or modified.
Normally high brass but I've been successful just fine with low brass.
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What is your setup? I would also like to hear your thoughts on lead distance? Depending on the shot distance. This is a tricky question depending on the height of the bird and speed. I've been successful with generally a 1-2 foot lead for average distance.
Brian
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I would imagine...I've been on the site for 5 minutes so the Newbie is going to do what they normally do. Ask those questions Thanks for the tip..I will look around and learn.
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It's not the size of your kill. Its the memories that mean the most
Most use mod and 7 1/2 trap and skeet loads. Some use full choke. Some uses 8 and 9's while others go for 6 and 5's.
For a starting point try mod choke and 7 1/2.
Lead as you have said is a tricky question. I really can't tell you, cause I shoot when it feels right. A few times when I have been smacking the crows and my hunting partner has been missing he asks me what lead I am using...my answer is "I don't know, can't remember." Bird comes in, gun comes up, shot goes off, bird goes down. That's the plan and usually happens, but not always. And then there are days that I couldn't hit a stationary beach ball and 30 paces.
mod or full 12 ga & I like #5s or 6s,but I'm pass shooting for the most part, might be overkill for you
You can't overkill a crow
Lots of variables not the least of which is the skill and experience of the shooter. I prefer tight chokes and number 6.
Another question is do you reload? Those who don't reload seem like to shoot the 7.5's and 8's that come in the economy four packs from Wal-Mart and the like mainly due to price and availability.
-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Saturday 8th of January 2011 07:50:50 PM
Ublycrow: Recommendations from light mod to full choke.. and shot size from 5's to 9's. I almost fully agree with as somewhere in there is the probably the right combo for you but I would add do not dismiss the Imp. Cly. choke if your shots are at or under 40 yards. If you do not reload, use the best ammo you can afford. I say that because the economy four packs are cheaper for a reason...the do not contain the best ( read expensive ) components. Hence, their killing distance is hampered mainly due to the use of softer shot, etc and pattern density suffers at you approach the longer ranges...35-40 yards. Good reloads and top shelf factory stuff can stretch your killing range significantly.
For what it is worth, I much prefer the value-packs from Rem.. vs. WW and really like the "Top Gun" load from Federal though I am not sure that is available as a value pack. It is, however, cheaper than their Gold Medal competition loads.
Pattern size is limited by density; density is limited by payload count and payload count is limited by shot size. Shot size, pattern size, (choke) and range are all interdependent and of equal importance. Change one and everything else probably must change.
Ublycrow : Skip is dead on as usual with the not to go cheap on ammo. I stocked up on the value packs from WW in #6 loads. Anything under 30 yards I do OK with depending on how my day is going. Most of the time its under 20. When I stretch out my shots, I have found that all I am doing is knocking the dust off and chasing feather.
Cheap shells are cheap for a reason. They will work but when they don't it sucks.
I reload and buy some federal multi purpose value packs 7 1/2's. You should be able to reach out passed 30 with cheapos. Try some 7 1/2's and or open up your choke.
I use elcheapo in 7 1/2 or 6's or 8 or whatever i can find. I shoot them out of factory mod choke and i will shoot birds at 40 yards and kill them consistantly. I would rather shoot birds at 10 yards but occasionally we will have some that don't want to die.
I can kill crows with the cheap stuff. I like the Win. super speed in 7 1/2. On one hunt I killed two crows at 45 and 50 steps.
That being said, I find I kill a higher percentage per box with the better quality ammo. Better doesn't have to mean that much more expensive. Cheapo here is about $6 a box and Winchester AA trap load is $7.5 a box. That is only 6 cents a shell difference. It is worth that for my TBC to go up. That is for 1 1/8 oz of hard shot in a full one piece shot cup pushed at 1300 fps. It is a hot load and will reach birds past 50, Just ask those two I picked up 53 and 55 cotton rows form the blind this morning.
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"If money can fix it, it ain't broke" The great theologian and my crow hunting partner AW.
8fisherman: You said it!! That 6 cents per shell is so well worth it. The additional killing distance is what the Dr. ordered. Crows are not safe at 50 yards and beyond.. with good factory ammo in 7 1/2's....even 8's. Put it another way, you will kill far more consistently at those ranges.. with quality ammo vs. the other stuff. Money well spend in my book.
I just reloaded some 6s 1 1/4 oz shells, using AA hulls, hardened 6s & wsf powder, 1330 fps. Amazing dif from the remington 1 oz 6s. I think its mainly the hardened shot & not so much the extra 1/4 oz payload. IMHO I think the hardened shot flys better.
we have used 2 3/4" 6's but have difficulity killing past 40, we have used 3 1/2" 6 shot and dropped them at 60 with a mod choke and 80 with a turkey choke. today we used 3 1/2" #2's and BB, (we were in a pinch) and we dropped one dead about 50 yards high and 20 yards out
Thanks for all the detail and spending the time to give me your input! I have 300 rounds in my safe that I loaded with my Mec Jr. I used Green Dot powder and I loaded these on the hot side but "safe". I loaded these in 7 1/2 and 6's but in low brass.
I'm not sure what to do with these. I'm torn..... I may run to the range and pattern this stuff to see what it looks like. I just ordered a new JS caller through my side business and I'm ready to get out and bang some crows and do some fox and coyote hunting.
I HAVE THE ITCH! I'm pumped about being a member on here now! I put in my 5 bucks....
I'll be ordering some shirts!
Brian
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www.americangunnery.com
It's not the size of your kill. Its the memories that mean the most
im glad to see so many other people using the good ole' LIGHT MOD. one of my favorite chokes,and to often forgottin about-since they dont come w guns from the factory.i also like it in the dove field too. i buy the EXTENDED tubes in LT.MOD & SKEET for all my guns. if you've ever use a mojo dove, u know the birds will try to come in and sit in your lap.so i will pop in the skeet & then once they've been shoot at a bit i'll stick in the lt. mod for the longer shots. and i had an old box of #5 STEEL -High Brass that had been collectin dust for awhile, and it absolutely putz the smack down on the crows.but cant afford too do that very often.
Thanks for the tip..I will look around and learn.