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Post by huntinfool on Dec 15, 2010 20:49:32 GMT -5
 The weather is gettin' good for geese! I doubled this evening and it's the first shots I've had on geese with the triple B "Black Cloud" shells I'm trying out this year. These birds were tall and the these shells dropped'em stone dead. Anyone else use these shells and have any thoughts on on them? |
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Post by featherduster on Dec 16, 2010 2:37:21 GMT -5
Federal 3 1/2" #2's over decoys, deadly.
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Post by esshup on Dec 16, 2010 10:31:14 GMT -5
I think it depends on your gun/choke and how close the birds are. I patterned some #2's from my gun at 30 Yds, and while they had a 10% better pattern count than Kent FastSteel, the wad also hit the paper.
They're good out of my gun for longer shots, but at 10 yds over decoys they will breast out a duck for ya. So, I load Kent for shot #1 and #2, and the Black Cloud for shot #3.
I still need to do more extensive pattern testing to get more data at different ranges.
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Post by duff on Dec 16, 2010 11:13:14 GMT -5
All hype, shoot em right and they will die. I used a box and they didn't perform any better than the cheap X-perts, but to each thier own. Most people blame a certain load or brand but the majority of the time they just flat miss the birds.
By far the worst shells I have ever used were the Remington Sportsmen loads. More duds than I care to remember. Other than those I would rate all of them equal. I prefer 3 1/2 BB for all waterfowl hunting but range from 3" 4s to 3 1/2 Ts depending on the situation.
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Post by duff on Dec 16, 2010 11:13:41 GMT -5
PS, great job on the honkers!
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Post by speckle on Dec 16, 2010 14:16:50 GMT -5
I like them in the dekes before I shoot. #2 work just fine
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Post by ActionPoint on Dec 18, 2010 15:09:24 GMT -5
I've shot BlackCloud in several combinations. IMO, not worth paying extra for. I'll take 3" Kent Fasteel 2's or BB any day, and Winchester Supremes if someone else is buying. Winchester Xperts will kill birds as good as any other shell at decoying range but I personally get poor patterns at distances over 30 yds, and the powder used is a concern in wet or freezing weather. Whether shooting 3.5's or any of the hevi-shot variants, I never really noticed any difference in cripples or lost birds. Understand your shot pattern and put in the practice and you'll kill more birds, period. I think alot times guys are trying to make up for poor shooting and lack of practice by buying an expensive shell with lots of hype.
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Post by 36fan on Dec 20, 2010 13:47:30 GMT -5
I'm headed out tonight with them!
Blackclouds were all I could find locally a couple of years ago when I started waterfowling (late season). If you watch the ads, Dick's often has them on sale for ~$20/box.
I thought ahead this year and bought some Federal and Winchester steel shot , so I hope to have a better idea of the difference (if any) soon.
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