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Activity
Large Geese at Long Range
(Giant, Western, Atlantic and
Interior Canadas)
50-65 Steel BBB to T 1-1/4 1-2 50-55 Improved Modified
50-70 HEVI-Shot 2 to B 1-1/2 Improved Modified, Full
Large Geese Over Decoys 35-50 Steel BB to BBB 1-1/4 1-2 50-55 Improved Cylinder,
Modified
HEVI-Shot 2 to B 1-1/2
Medium/Small Geese at
Long Range (Snow, White-
fronted, Lesser Canadas)
50-65 Steel BB to BBB 1-1/4 1-2 60-65 Improved Modified
HEVI-Shot 2 1-1/2 Improved Modified, Full
Medium/Small Geese Over
Decoys
35-50 Steel 2 to BB 1-1/8 1-2 60-65 Light Modified, Modified
HEVI-Shot 4 to 2 1-1/4 Improved Cylinder,
Modified
Large Ducks at Long Range
(Mallard, Black, Pintail,
Goldeneye, Gadwall)
45-65 Steel 2 to 1 1-1/8 1-2 85-90 Improved Modified, Full
HEVI-Shot 4 1-1/4
Large Ducks Over Decoys 20-45 Steel 6 to 2 3/4 - 1 1-2 85-90 Improved Cylinder (20-
35), Modified (35-45)
HEVI-Shot 6 to 4 1-1/8
Medium Ducks Over
Decoys (Wigeon, Scaup,
Shoveler)
20-45 Steel 6 to 3 1 1-2 115-120 Improved Cylinder (20-
35), Modified (35-45)
HEVI-Shot 6 to 4 1-1/8
Small Ducks Over Decoys
(Teal, Ruddy, Bufflehead)
20-45 Steel 6 to 4 1 1-2 135-145 Modified (20-35), Full
(35-45)
HEVI-Shot 6 1-1/8
Ring-necked Pheasants 20-50 Steel 3 to 2 1 2-3 90-95 Improved Cylinder (20-
30), Modified (30-50)
HEVI-Shot 6 to 4 1-1/8
Turkeys (Head and neck
shots)
20-40 Steel 4 1-1/4 3-4 210-230 Full or Extra Full
Mourning Doves 20-45 Steel 8 to 7 5/8-3/4 1-2 200-210 Improved Cylinder 8s/
Light Modified 7s
(20-30), Modified (more
than 30)
HEVI-Shot 7 1/2 3/4 Improved Cylinder
(20-30), Light Modified
(30-45)
Northern Bobwhite Quail 20-30 Steel 7 5/8-3/4 1-2 200-210 Improved Cylinder, Light
Modified
Swatter Loads for
Wounded Birds
20-30 Steel 7 to 6 1 1 175 Improved Modified, Full
Copyright 2016 by Tom Roster
Proven
Nontoxic
Shot
Loads
for
Waterfowl,
Doves
and
Upland
Game
Birds
(Load
velocity:
1,225
to
1,700
FPS)
Observed
Hunters'
Typical
Shooting
Range
During
Activity
(Yards) Most
Effective
Nontoxic
Shot
Sizes Minimal
Load
Weight
(Ounces)
Minimal
Pellet
Hits
Needed
on
Lethal
Areas
for
Clean
Kills
Minimum
Pattern
Count
Needed
at
Any
Distance
for
Clean
Kills
(pellets
in
30-in
circle)
Most
Effective
Chokes
at
Distance
(in
yards)
Nontoxic Shot Lethality Table
