Quick Answer
For late-season ducks in cold weather, use a larger steel shot size, such as BB or BBB, to ensure effective penetration through the water and into the bird's body.
Choosing the Right Steel Shot Size
When hunting late-season ducks in cold weather, it’s essential to use the right steel shot size to ensure effective penetration and a clean kill. In cold water, the bird’s body is denser, and the steel shot needs to be larger to penetrate through the water and into the bird’s body. A larger steel shot size, such as BB or BBB, is ideal for this situation.
Considerations for Steel Shot Size
The size of the steel shot you choose depends on the range and the type of water you’re hunting over. In cold water, it’s best to use a larger steel shot size, such as BB or BBB, to ensure effective penetration. For example, if you’re hunting over a long distance, such as 40 yards or more, use a larger steel shot size. On the other hand, if you’re hunting over a shorter distance, such as 20 yards or less, a smaller steel shot size, such as BB or T, may be sufficient.
Steel Shot Size for Effective Penetration
When choosing a steel shot size, consider the following penetration depths for different steel shot sizes: BB (0.190 inches), BBB (0.210 inches), and T (0.162 inches). To ensure effective penetration, use a steel shot size that will penetrate at least 1 inch into the bird’s body. Based on this, a BB or BBB steel shot size is recommended for late-season ducks in cold weather.
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