Shotshells and decoys

[NoTox]

I have two questions for you waterfowlers out there. First, have any of you used the Kent Fasteel shells? If so, what did you think of them? I am used to shooting Winchester Dryloks, but I'm thinking about changing. Second, has anyone used the Blackwater FUD decoys? They look like they would be great for where I hunt, and a lot easier to carry in. Any input is appreciated.

[birddog]

have tried the kent .. but, Hevi-shot is where its at NoTox ... bi-pass the remington loads and go directly to Hevi-Shot/Envirometal and purchase theirs ... I'm not a fan of remingtons hunting loads.

start with their 2-3/4" offerings in #4 and #6 shot then go from there. You'll be happy you did!

sorry - no experience with the Blackwater FUD decoys.

[NoTox]

I have thought about trying them, but I don't know if I can bring myself to spend $2.00 per shot. Also thought about trying to reload some Hevishot, and maybe bring the cost down. Us city employees down exactly make a whole lot of cash.

[tj]

kent fasteel is some good stuff, especially for its price. i have been using it for years. the #4 shot over decoys is great for puddlers.
one word of caution, fasteel has no waterseals so pay attention not to drop them in the water. the pellets are not plated and rust quickly. otherwise it is a great load for use over decoys.
if it is a problem any shotgunshell can be sealed with wax and nail polish.

good luck

[NoTox]

Thanks TJ, I will give them a shot.

[Bobng]

Hi No Tox, winchester Drylok is great for its pattern and price. I brought a lots big mallards and geese down with No.2,1 or BB. but not beyond 70 yards, not unless using 31/2. I tend to try Hevi-shots but I can't afford the price equally true for Bimuth.

[sleepydoc]

Kent is a pretty good round and one of the fastest for the dollar. I always go with the motto "speed Kills" Hevishot has been ultimately too expensive and 31/2 in steel works out to be cheaper and nearly as effective. Plus a helluva lot cheaper to practice with. Reloading hev is not that inexpensive either.
Paul

[maggietheduckdog07]

has anyone tried tungsten iron by federal? their not good for a long shot, but if you can get that mallard or goose close enough the tungsten wil do the rest

[maggietheduckdog07]

ive never had any problems carryin decoys before, just take em out the boat drag em through the water to your blind set em out cuz theres no point in walkin on the bank to your blind if it aint that far newayz cuz then youll have to get back in the water to flip the decoys over that land on their side(unless that only happens to me). and churning up the mud is good for your spread cuz it actually looks like ducks have been movin around and feeding. and it depends on how many decoys you bring

[maggietheduckdog07]

and im say this cuz here in southwest louisiana we only hunt in marshlands with blinds accessable by mostly boat, or maybe an atv, but the point is we try to make it as easy as possible bto get there, so there wont be as much time spent on getting out there, and more time on getting the decoys ready, along with the guns so you can take a few early sunrise teal

[sp0rt_Sh00ter]

now, i dont know much about decoys, but, shotshell, for ducks, i would us the rem hevi shot, it has alot more knock down power. in #4 and #6

[birddog]

Hi sp0rt_Sh00ter - Have you tried Envirometals Original Hevi-Shot loads?


.....?

[geeseM2]

I use either Federal ultra-shock high velocity steel or ultra-shock heavy high velocity steel. i my self cant see paying around $2.00 a shot . I tried Kent FASTEEL AND IMPACT and thought that the kent steel was a good shell the impact is about the same price as the hevi-shot. I bought a case of the fasteel and NOW use both KENT and FEDERAL. As for the FUD'S I HAVE NEVER USED NOR KNOW ANYONE THAT HAS.

[ 10-17-2004, 01:26 PM: Message edited by: geeseM2 ]

[NoTox]

I appreciate all of the response guys. I still have not decided if I am going to try the hevi-shot. I am afraid that I might like it too much! I was just worried about the Kent, because on another post, someone said the Fasteel jammed in their SBEII about a third of the time.

[geeseM2]

No problem in my M2 with the kent,s only shoot 3" though.

[Robert II]

Hevi-shot is superior to all others in my opinion. Unlike steel, chose one or two sizes smaller than what you would with lead. Best, Robert

[birddog]

* one other thing to note *

2-3/4" Hevi-Shot loads compared to 3" or 3-1/2" of other makes ...

... still no contest!

[Va Shooter]

I can't comment on Hevi Shot because I've never used it. But, after the cripple problems last year my hunting partner and myself are thinking about using it.

As for the FUDs, they're awesome providing you are not hunting in high winds. They do have a tendancy to lean when the winds pick up. On the flip side, a slight breeze really gets 'em moving. Try them, you won't be sorry.

[tj]

does anybody here shoot bismuth???

i have had rough start to my season and the ducks dont seem to work as close as last year.

i reload bismuth #2 for geese and i'm considering a load of #4 for ducks.

[Drundel]

3.5 faststeel are jamming. My buddy and I have shot LOTS of 3" through our SBE with no problems.

As far as FUD, a buddy said they look great in a slight wind. If I had to walk a lot, I would buy some.

[NoTox]

I appreciate the response. Just waiting a few more days now...

[bwnr]

No Tox,
I can tell you that once you try hevi-shot, you will be asking for it at Christmas, birthday's, father's day.....good stuff!!! Yes, it is expensive if bought from Rem. or Environmetals, but in my opinion, worth it. Not to mention, ethically responsible in making clean, quick kills.
A while ago, I got a little push from Birddog, on this site, to look into re-loading hevi-shot. I am certainly glad I took his advice. I am now shooting a 3" #2 Hevi-Shot 1 3/8" oz. load at 1525 fps as my standard goose load. Geese don't stand a chance.
For price, you take it from Remington's $2/shell to $1/shell by reloading it. Compare that to $.60-$.70/shell for steel and it's not that much more.
Birddog, thanks for advice. Have any use for some 3 1/2" steel shells? ;)

[NoTox]

I appreciate the help. I have thought about getting in to reloading hevi-shot myself, but don't really know where to start. Birddog, if you are the one to talk to, I would love some help.

[Choclabman]

Problems with the Cheap kent shells are with 3" as well as 3.5's.
Look at Winchester Supreme's in steel. I wouldnt waste money on Kents.

[ 11-13-2004, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: BLKLABMAN ]

[NoTox]

what kind of problems?--I have gotten reviews good and bad. I just got a case in the mail. 3" #4 1 3/8 shot. Hopefully I don't have problems, but I haven't shot any yet. I guess I will find out Mon.

[Dukmrdr]

i shoot winchesters, federals and remington. they kill just the same, i shot Kents for a while and heavy shot when my uncle would reload them for me, i just noticed you get alot more annoyed when you miss. and that your wallet gets alot lighter. Just as long as you hit em, they do damage.

FUD decoys are great as long as you dont hunt with them.... one stray pellet into a deek, will make it fill up and seperate with water. and if you dont put a rock or a steak through them they will blow away in the field, it really sucks when your only mode of catching an expensive deek is a barbed wire fence or a dog that youve always trained to not get deeks and get birds. i know people who swear by them, but if your using them for Geese, get some Carrylite shells, there 50.00 a doz. and stackable. furthermore, geese land more often in fields than in water, unless its unsafe. FUDs make their money on the easy factor, their easy to carry, and easy to set up. but if you get the carrylites, with a masonry mixing sled, and a rope, its easy as all get out to get your deeks to the field.

and on another note, alot of people have jams and alot of people have misfires. I dont know what you are doing, i have a Stoeger 2000 and i had one jam in 3 years, that was yesterday. and never a misfire, i have shot just about every round of ammo on the market, and even some exparamental rounds of my own. Either people in here exasterbate situations or they cant shoot, i dont mean to make and enemies, but if you have to shoot heavi0shot or tungston to take down a duck or a goose, then you need to get more time on the range. im a 17 kid, ive killed oer 300 ducks in less than 5 years and jsut started hunting geese, and have taken 25 this season alone. that may not sound like good numbers but here its great. i take down geese with #4(steel) winchesters, **** i took one down with #7 (steel)winchesters while i was quail hunting last week.

[NoTox]

I shot the Kent shells for the first time today. They performed flawlessly and seemed to have plenty of knock down power downrange. 6 ducks with 10 shells. Not too shabby, I like the shells alot so far.

[BenelliGirl]

Reloads are not recommended. If anything goes wrong while using them, your warranty is gone.

[fezman]

Some of the best rounds I’ve ever shot were reloads. As long as you don’t make them to hot. I’ve fired over 2000+ reloads out of my GLOCK and only ever had one problem with a casing that wasn’t sized correctly. I cleared the jamb and kept on shooting. Some of the best shot gun shells I’ve ever fired were re-loads. Some of the worst were reloads. Every manufacture recommends not to shoot them to limit there liability because of over pressuring. Which can happen with any load or ammunition manufacture or even failure to properly maintain the weapon. Its just like the owners manual in your car that says that if you don’t use there oil you’ll void your warranty. Theres a little line at the bottom of every warranty that says “your rights may vary” believe it

[surfscotter]

I'm going on a guided brant and mixed duck hunt in jan. so I asked my outfitter what was working best and he said bring the heavy-shot. From talking to other duck hunters there seems to be a lot less cripling of ducks. Yea it's expensive but if what they say is true, we owe it to the birds we all love.

[fezman]

when im hunting i usualy wont skimp on shells or bullets. but when i target shoot i could care less as long as they wont blow my hand off or fizzel down the bbl :D

[Ace]

I have to agree with Birddog...........Even though they are more expensive, Hevi-shot is where its at! I shoot #2 shot at Geese with good success. Give up something else and go with Hevi-shot.........