Shotshell Selection 2- A picture's worth a 1,000 words!
Crow Staff Advisor Skip Woody's continued search for the most effective factory crow shotshell.

Introduction

They say pictures are worth a 1,000 words…I have the pictures!

In the "Shotshell Selection" article, I attempted to identify some of the most effective factory shot shells for crow hunting. Job accomplished. Several great shells we all can afford that will do a “job” on brer crow rose to the top. Perhaps more important, however, was the observation and conclusion…that smaller shot sizes ( 7 1/2 and 8’s ) and lower dram equivalent ( less powder ) carried the day as being materially more deadly than the “high brass/large shot” stuff. I have been pleased to read several posts and emails from members saying the use of smaller shot has increased their TBC and crow hunting enjoyment. That is the best news I could get. Great!

To recap briefly, the shell testing in the was done at 55 yards, with 28” barrel with .15 ( light Mod.) choke and all shots where at a “typical” patterning circle 30” in diameter. I tested at somewhat longer yardage to see if modern shells would produce a ‘killing pattern’ beyond what most of us typically consider “in range” for crows. The answer was a resounding “yes”, but none of the great performing shells were from the “high brass” fraternity. That surprised some of us, I suspect, as the results flies in the face of some traditional beliefs.

Here is what I have done to further show shell effectiveness. I tested 11 shells selected to sample a cross section of what many of us shoot. I shot at the same 55-yard distance with the same gun, barrel, and choke combination. I substituted a life-sized paper crow in place of the 30” circle. Paper crows are much more fun to shoot than 30” paper circles! I simply counted the ‘holes’ in the crow for each shell. I figured the crows with the most holes would tell me which shells are the best. Further, I suspected those shells would also be the SAME ones that patterned the densest in my initial testing last spring. Yep, they did!

These shells ranged from 7/8 oz of shot to 1 1/2 oz, from 3 drams to 4 drams of powder and from #5’s to #9’s in shot size. I am not going to attempt to “interpret” results. I will leave that to you. But, for example, a 1 1/8 oz load that puts as many or almost as many holes in the crow as a 1-1/4 oz. load or a 1 1/2 oz load is producing a better pattern etc. Roughly, there are about 40 extra shot for each 1/4 of additional lead. So factor that in when eyeballing the holes in these crows and prepare to be amazed at the performance of the Rem. Hevi shell loaded with only 7/8 oz of 9’s. Here is a list of what was tested in order of the number of “hits” on the crow.

*I was not able to tell the dram equivalent (probably 3 dram) of this shell but who cares! This load would have shredded a humming bird at this range and a crow in the lower ionosphere.

Bottom line is, the faster you push shot, say beyond 1250 fps, the more likely you pattern will suffer. The “high brass” shells are all quite fast and despite heavier shot charges and lots more powder, your chances of hitting a crow at 55 yards or ANY range is reduced. Plus, the milder recoiling shells allow you to get off a second and third shot somewhat faster as you do not have to recover from a massive recoil before lining up on your next target.


Targets

Test Conditions
Distance: 55 yards
Barrel: 28”
Gauge: 12
Choke: .15 (Light Modified)

WW Super-X #5's (3 hits)

WW Supreme Dbl X LR Copper #6's (9 hits)

WW Super Sport #7.5's (17 hits)

Rem 27 Nitro #8's (23 hits)

Rem Hevi-Shot #9's (47 hits)

Special thanks to Crow Busters Staff Advisor Skip Woody for the information in this section.