No matter how many great shots you made duck hunting last year, the shots you miss always stick with you. That’s why so many who hunt waterfowl are looking for an edge. It often comes down to matching your ammo to the distances and size of the bird you’re hunting. Patterning your shotgun is more important to hunting waterfowl than many think. There are several makes of shotgun ammo for duck hunting that you should pattern with. Let’s look at what many consider the best shotgun ammo.
Apex Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat Blend
A unique 12 Gauge Blend of 1-1/16 oz. #3 Steel over 1/4 oz. #8 TSS for your habitat of choice.
The TSS/S3 Steel model combines the Apex S3 Steel with the added knockdown power of the world-renowned Tungsten Super Shot (TSS). The “duplex,” also known as a blend, includes 1/4 oz. of the TSS to maximize pattern density and help virtually eliminate cripples. Looking back on those hunts, you’ll know that little extra made all the difference.
HEVI-Shot HEVI-METAL
Don't take this ammo for rabbit hunting. This is duck-killing ammo. The HEVI-Shot brand is popular for all waterfowl — and for a good reason. It patterns well for most hunters and is relatively easy to find. The three-inch shell with a one-and-a-quarter-ounce load and BB size shot is the most lethal combination. The layered shell has a 30 percent bismuth shot in front of a 70 percent steel shot and leaves the barrel at 1,500 feet per second. Because the layered design packs such a punch, you can open up your choke and still make long shots.
FEDERAL SPEED-Shok
Load up the hunting dogs because it's time to shoot ducks. This clean-burning ammo is excellent for semi-auto shotguns that tend to jam before the duck hunt is over. The three-inch shell with a one-and-a-quarter-ounce load and number 2 shot is great for ducks close over decoys. The thicker wad minimizes contact of the steel shot with the bore, reducing wear on your barrel. This ammo can be hard to find but is well worth the drive to get.
HEVI-Shot HEVI-HAMMER
Deer hunters looking for tips on deer hunting turn to technology for an edge. The technology behind this shell looks great on paper, and its performance in the field is top-notch. It seems that every duck hunt you go on, someone is using HEVI-HAMMER. The most popular shell for mallards is a combination of the three-inch shell with a one-and-a-quarter ounce load and #2 shot size. The layered shell has a 15 percent bismuth shot in front of an 85 percent steel shot and leaves the barrel at 1,500 feet per second. A new upland load with a one and three-eighths-ounce load works great on larger waterfowl.
WINCHESTER Blind Side
The new hex cut shot does more damage and is more lethal than the traditionally cut shot. The high packing density technology of the Blind Side stacks 15 percent more pellets per shell, and the diamond cut wad increases the kill zone dramatically. You are probably familiar with the Drylok technology that Winchester uses in other ammo. When you combine Drylok technology with the rest of the technology Winchester used to make Blind Side, you are armed with serious waterfowl ammo.
Ideal Tree Stand Height for Bow Hunting Whitetails
REMINGTON HyperSonic STEEL
At 1,700 feet per second, the HyperSonic is the fastest shotgun shell on the market. It uses a special accelerator wad to maintain velocity and claims to reduce the lead on a duck by eight inches at 40 yards. That is subjective, but the three-inch #2 shot with a one-and-a-half-ounce load is deadly on fast-moving teal. There is a one and three-eighths-ounce load for bigger birds. The speed of this shell takes some getting used to, but once you do, you should dramatically reduce the shots you’re behind on.
FEDERAL Black Cloud TSS
Federal Black Cloud ammunition is a top choice for waterfowl hunting. This powerful combination of FLITESTOPPER® Steel and Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) is designed to keep you ahead of the game, extend your effective range beyond the usual 50 yards and ensure that each shot packs a serious punch.
The secret? A hefty 60 percent of the payload is made up of heavyweight TSS pellets, which are incredibly dense — more than double that of steel and 50 percent denser than lead. This means your shots fly farther, hit harder and penetrate deeper, giving you a clear edge and ensuring a quick and humane harvest.
Adding to this lethal mixture is the 40 percent FLITESTOPPER steel shot and the FLITECONTROL FLEX® wad, which helps tighten shot patterns across all waterfowl chokes, making your shots more consistent and dependable, no matter the conditions.
BOSS Warchief
With its Copper-Plated Bismuth core, BOSS Warchief hits the sweet spot between classic effectiveness and eco-friendliness, making it a standout choice if you care about the environment as much as your hunt.
Warchief is packed with enhancements, including a unique buffer technology that promises deeper pellet penetration and impressive pattern uniformity up to 88-90 percent at 40 yards with F and IM Chokes.
The newly upgraded wad is a marvel in itself, specifically designed for Bismuth shot. It features a double gas seal for an optimized powder burn and full-length, hinged wad petals that protect the shot and ensure its quick release. This wad, made with USA-produced polymers, is also infused with BioTec’s EcoPure® additive, improving the shell’s biodegradability without relying on PLA-based biopolymers.
BROWNING Wicked Wing XD
Wicked Wing XD is the go-to waterfowl load for dedicated hunters who wake up before dawn with birds on the brain. It's not just any steel load. This high-velocity, bird-dropping powerhouse is made with the highest-quality, most aerodynamic steel shot that’s been carefully treated and plated. Available in various 12- and 20-gauge options, Wicked Wing XD is all about going the distance — making sure your shots fly true and hit hard.
But what sets this ammo apart is the Wicked Wad, which ensures your shot spreads perfectly as it leaves your barrel, creating tight patterns and delivering maximum energy downrange. This means whether you’re aiming for waterfowl in the wetlands or even targeting turkey in the timber, you’ve got the precision and power you need in every shot.
Establish a Pattern
All the shotgun shells we mention will kill ducks and geese. Before buying a shotgun shell case, try a few shells from different manufacturers and see how your shotgun performs. It seems every shooter has their preference regarding shotgun shells. You can spend a lot of money and miss a lot of ducks just to find your shotgun misses high left with the shell you’re using.
Of course, patterning your shotgun is not the cheapest thing to do these days. You can save money and have fun at the same time if you pattern your shotgun with a couple of buddies. To save money, each shooter brings two boxes of shotgun shells from different manufacturers. This way, you can determine which shell performs best with your shotgun without each person buying six boxes of ammo.
When you’re ready to pattern your shotgun, take a few of the shotgun shells we discussed. Use a 40 x 38-inch paper target with a duck background and patterning rings. After you shoot at the duck, you can see how much of your shot hits a lethal location. The patterning rings will give you an idea of how much shot is in a given circumference.
If you know how far your average shot is, choose the ammo that consistently puts the most shot on target at that range. If the distance of your average shot varies, you should choose the ammo that consistently puts the most shot on target from several distances. You will find that some ammo is great under 30 yards but is all over the place at 45 yards. The bottom line is that you want to know where you’re going to hit when you pull up on a bird.
Doing Your Homework
Every duck hunt has that guy who seems to have the edge over everyone else. Everyone marvels at him and dismisses him as a natural. Odds are, he has done his homework and knows what shotgun and shotgun shell combination works for him. Sure, he may change things up if he is hunting teal one week and mallards the next. The point is that he knows what shell works best for the species he is hunting and he knows where he is going to hit when he pulls the trigger. With a little homework, you can be the guy with the edge.
