federal Black cloud

[fabsroman]

Honestly, I have no idea why I bought any after market choke tube other than a Briley. The pattern master was the first and last after market choke I'll buy other than a Briley.

Now, I just need to see what they have to offer for steel and Hevi in waterfowl configurations.

[TreeDoc]

If you shoot the right loads determined by patterning through the PatternMaster, you should get some good performance. As you probably know, the PM is a wad-stopping choke which shortens the shot string creating a more dense pattern. It is designed to work with bigger pellets though, like BB's and BBB's.

One thing I disliked about mine was the porting. Shooting out of a Pit Blind, it was deafening for those in the hole and the dog if he was close by. I have since removed my dog from the equation by sending him down the check about 30-35 yards where he can see the entire playing field. Much safer for him.

[Minihuntur]

Hey guys, just for the record, cheap STEEL DON'T WORK GOOD! today i shot a medium sized duck, i think a can-back at about 20-30yards, my brother (who i was hunting with) said it was a solid hit, and another! at least 3 hits on that bugger, darn! it couldn't fly but just fell to the pond we were hunting on and joined our flock of stupid live ducks that wouldn't leave! this was 12 GA 3in #2 fasteel by Kent! 1300fps! 1 3/8 oz! But it cleaned away all muscles and skin on a nice mallard's neck @ medium range. the gun was my new maverick 28in. bbl w mod choke. i'm confused, this effect on a mallard with none on a can-back!? this is totally strange! maybe ill have better results tomorrow when i go. ill probably post then. ps. any duck tips would be accepted.
Minihuntur

[fabsroman]

If you are hunting in the US, it is illegal to hunt over live waterfowl, even the stupid domesticated ducks that will not leave the pond. That is the first tip.

Canvasbacks can be tough birds, so I'm not surprised that it didn't come down at medium range with steel. I also think a Canvasback would be one of the larger ducks, but I cold be wrong about that. Personally, I have never had a problem with steel at 20 yards, and very rarely at 30 yards, if the gun patterns the shell well, I pick the correct pellet size, and I do my part. For canvasbacks, I would probably use #2's in steel at medium range, and #4's if they are coming in real close over decoys.

If you hit the bird 3 or 4 times, I am really surprised that it didn't drop dead. Did you recover the bird? If so, breast it out and see if you can find any pellets in it. If you find a lot of pellets in it, that will show you what kind of penetration you are getting with the load you are using. There is a huge difference between shooting the neck off of a mallard, and a body shot on a canvasback. Heck, there is a huge difference between shooting the neck on a mallard and shooting the body on a mallard.

[Catfish]

My goose gun is an old model 12, 3 in. with a Polly Choke. I tried the BC in it, shot 2 shells and got 2 geese. They were real close, but they are the first 2 geese I ever killed with steel. I jump shoot geese and do real well with the SUPPER HIGH DOLLAR stuff, but with steel all I`ve ever been able to get is feathers. Jury is still out on BC for me, but I do know that I would reather be shooting lead.