My intention was simply to provide a snapshot of the potential effectiveness of this popular sub-gauge using the information on Roster’s lethality table. I shot only two patterns for each of the loads: one at 30 yards to simulate decoying birds the other at 40 yards for longer-range passing shots. No doubt, a greater selection of ammunition will become available from local retailers as the sub-gauge exemption phases out. I was able to obtain only a limited range of ammunition: six different loads in all. The 2019 duck season was over when I undertook them, so they remain theoretical, based on pattern testing. I cannot claim that my tests are a definitive or comprehensive survey. Would 20-gauge steel meet this minimum pellet count requirement? For a mallard-sized duck, 85-90 pellets are the minimum number required. In it, he details the minimum count of pellets enclosed in a 30in circle at ranges from 20 to 45 yards needed to ensure a clean kill. I based my testing on the comprehensive research conducted by US ballistics expert, Tom Roster, and summarised in his Nontoxic Shot Lethality Table which is readily available on the internet.
#20 GAUGE SHOT SERIES#
The fact that most of the well-known makers offer 20-gauge non-toxic waterfowling loads shows that there are enough 20-gauge duck hunters out there to make it worth their while to satisfy this market.įor the benefit of those pessimistic 20-gauge users, I conducted a series of simple tests to show what 20-gauge steel loads might be capable of. Shotshell manufacturers have developed steel loads that largely compensate for the limitations of this sub-gauge. Overseas, especially in the USA, hunters have been successfully using 20-gauge steel as well as other, much more expensive, non-toxic options such as tungsten blends and bismuth. But that doesn’t mean that 20-gauge steel isn’t a viable option for waterfowlers. The smaller dimensions of the 20-gauge cartridge, either 2¾in or 3in, impose limitations in shot payload and in velocity. The 20-gauge cannot match the ballistic efficiency of a 12-bore. Their pessimism is understandable to a degree. “You’ll never kill ducks with 20-gauge steel”, is a comment I’ve heard from several shooters who are gloomily considering whether they should sell the 20-gauge autoloaders they’ve been using up till now. Of course, the non-toxic regulations don’t apply to any gauge for shooting over pasture or crops more than 200 metres from open water. This probably restricts the use of 20-gauge lead to private land for this year. Lead shot cannot be used on Fish & Game or Department of Conservation controlled wetlands.
2020 marks the last year of the phase-out period of the exemption and even then, some restrictions apply. If you’re a duck hunter who’s been taking advantage of the non-toxic shot exemption for sub-gauges to shoot your ducks with 20-gauge lead, you’ll be acutely aware that time is running out for this option.
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