From My Blind to Yours: How I Choose Shotgun Shells for Hunting

I’ve been hunting since I was old enough to carry a shotgun, and if there’s one lesson I’ve learned the hard way, it’s this: the wrong shell can cost you the shot of a lifetime. Whether you’re after birds or big game, knowing your ammo matters. This isn’t theory — it’s what I’ve figured out over seasons of trial, error, and a few missed opportunities. --- 🎯 First Things First: Understand Your Shell Every shotgun shell has three parts: • Casing — holds everything together • Primer — ignites the powder • Payload — either birdshot (multiple pellets), buckshot (larger pellets), or a slug (single projectile) You also need to match your shell to your shotgun’s gauge and chamber length. I shoot mostly 12-gauge, but I’ve used 20-gauge for lighter setups. Don’t assume — check your barrel markings before loading anything. --- 🐦 Birdshot: My Go-To for Feathered Game When I’m hunting birds — dove, pheasant, ducks — I use birdshot. It spreads wide and gives you a better chance at hitting fast flyers. • .5 to — great for dove and quail • to — solid for pheasant and grouse • steel — my pick for ducks and geese, especially in wetlands where lead is banned Steel doesn’t hit as hard as lead, but it’s legal and effective if you know your distances. I pattern my shotgun before every season to see how each load behaves. --- 🐇 Small Game: Light Loads, Tight Patterns For rabbits and squirrels, I stick with or .5 birdshot. It’s enough to drop them clean without tearing up the meat. I usually go with light loads — less recoil, more control, and easier on the shoulder during long walks. --- 🦌 Big Game: Slugs or Buckshot? When I’m hunting deer or boar, I load slugs. They fly straight, hit hard, and penetrate deep. I’ve taken bucks at 60–70 yards with rifled slugs and smoothbore barrels. If I’m in thick brush or close quarters, I might use buckshot — but only if I know I’ll be within 30 yards. • Slugs — best for accuracy and ethical kills • Buckshot — good for close-range, but less precise --- ⚙️ Load Types: What I Actually Use • Light loads — for small game and practice • Standard loads — my everyday bird hunting choice • Magnum loads — I use these for turkey or long-range waterfowl, but only in shotguns built to handle them Magnums kick hard. If you’re not used to them, they’ll wear you out fast. --- 🧠 Real Advice: Test Before You Hunt I always test my shells at the range before heading out. I check pattern spread, recoil, and how they cycle through my shotgun. It’s not just about hitting the target — it’s about knowing how your gear behaves when it counts.