New to duck hunting. What are the best non-toxic loads for pass shooting and flooded timber. I have an 870 pump with a 28" bar

[Shellcracker]

New to duck hunting. What are the best non-toxic loads for pass shooting and flooded timber. I have an 870 pump with a 28" barrel and all kinds of chokes and I hunt mainly oxbows and creeks in SE Louisiana and North Florida. I'm thinking of buying one box of heavyshot #6 (which pattern awesome for turkey out of my gun in a full choke) and then buying some bulk cheapo #2 high velocity steel just to have on hand in case ammo starts getting taxed. I'll probably try those in IC choke. I shoot 2 and 3/4 mostly, even for turkey and buckshot. I'm 160 pounds if I ate a big breakfast that day so 3-1/2 are out of the question. Are 3" that much better? The pump gun is gonna kick more than an semi-auto would.

[Beekeeper]

Look at Kent Fast Steel for a good, inexpensive steel load.

[rrmont]

Beekeeper is right about the shells. You should also try your mod. choke, mine gives me the best pattern. And yes you should try the 3", it might not seem like much difference, it gives you just alittle exta umph.

[teufelhunden]

Hunting flooded timber and Oxbows I would peronally go with the steel shot from a modified choke. I would also stick with 2 3/4. Most of your shots will be upclose. If I were hunting open rice fields I might try the 3" but I rarely find a need for them either in flooded timber or on decoying ducks.

[streack]

Winchester Supremes are very good shells, I have cut a few open and the shot size is completely uniform except for maybe two or three pellets. I have always been impressed with it and it patterns well out of my IM choke. I shoot 3 in. and they are comfortable to shoot from early goose in September, long sleeved shirt, to January, multiple layers of clothes.

[idduckhntr]

Try Winchester Xpert high velocity in #2 with a mod or im choke the shells are cheap and shoot damn good.

[lukem]

I haven't used heavy shot much, but I haven't had enough of an issue killing ducks and geese with kent faststeel 3" shells to justify the extra $. There shouldn't be too much of a recoil difference from 2 3/4 up to 3" howevr 3 1/2 will definitely kick ya. (I shoot an 870 too)

[hjohn429]

Remington Hi-Speed Steel should work well, and would go well with your light-weight 870 pump.

[guncrazy74]

Iam not a fan of remingtons steel and I have done most of my shooting with Kents but have had quite a few stay alive down to the water and dive but it is great for a cheaper shell than heavy shot. I like heavy shot but I found a new love this year with federals blackcloud. It is fantastic!! And cheaper than heavyshot because you get 25 shells for close to the same price for ten heavy shot. The only problem I have had with it is my 870 doesn't cycle well with it but it has been messing up with everything this year. Can you believe anyone could mess up an 870? Well I have and two gunsmiths later it is still acting up. But with those blackclouds I swear I have never seen anything knock the heck out of birds like it.

[blazer_ov-1d]

kent fast steel

[rudyglove27]

Agreed with Beekeeper!