My brother and I signed up for a snow goose hunt in a couple months and trying to inquire on the best set-up for such a thing. Our current canadian goose hunts rarely give us a shot over 25 yds, so I’m thinkin’ I should change up a bit. Looking at Black Cloud and Hevi-steel if that is a good option. Thanks for any help.
Fish guy turned bird hunter.
I have not hunted them myself, but have a lot of friends that have. They recommended to me to try bb-bbb or 2’s in 3 or 3.5″ inch shells, myself, I would not be spending 25 a box on shells considering you will probablly shooting alot, but if you can swing it—do it- I would think that a guy could shoot 1.5 to 3+ boxes per day and that could get expensive after 3-5 days 
. I plan to try snow goose hunting soon, but only time will tell 
I would probablly also reccommend a long range pattern master choke or something equivilent as well considering the shots will be longer range as well as a shell that is 1500 fps or greater 
I have never snow goose hunted but i would go with the black cloud being they arnt that expensive. And with the flite control wad you can take farther shots. I have had experience with them on canadians and mallards and i think the are the next best thing to tungsten.
I wouldn’t buy the expensive black clouds in the quantity you’ll need. Maybe a box or two and keep 10 of them in a “special” pocket for your best opportunities.
If you’re pass shooting them, go big, T’s for me, maybe BBB and definitely 3.5″. I’ve not hunted them in the south so I don’t know what your likely to get coming into the dekes.
In ND in the fall, snows don’t decoy at all in groups of 6 or more birds. You can decoy singles, doubles, and sometimes 3-5 birds. If you’re not getting many of these opportunites, you can pass shoot around your decoys by sitting way outside your decoys on their approach line or their escape pattern. Again, BBB and T’s for me.
Eric
Oh, if you do choose a BB or BBB, go for smaller shot size and higher speed over the heavier slower steel. I’ve always felt if you can get a smaller bb up inside their feathers fast, you are better off than trying to smack them with weight.
BBB and T’s though do the best job of breaking wings, which you’ll need to do frequently. This is completely against what duck and Canada goose hunters believe in and that’s fine. I believe the same when hunting them.
But snows are literally eating themselves out of house and home, are living to be 10-15 years old, and don’t decoy for anything. So you’ve gotta do what you gotta do.
ET 
FIRST THINGS FIRST GET A PATTERNMASTER!
I’ve hunted them ever since the conservation order has allowed. I use Kent faststeel #3’s and BB through a patternmaster, last year I dropped a nuisance goose at about 80 yards dead with a #3, I got the wittnesses. I’m a firm believer in # of pellets and speed. The price is unbeatable, especially for the performance it gives you. If you are in a good area and get some good gunning be prepared to go through a half a case or better, because if you get a big flock to come in you won’t want to stop pulling the trigger and then it will all start from there. This is not a hunt you want to spend a lot of money on expensive shells because you will go through them. From what I hear Blackcloud is an excellent shot choice, but after pricing them out I will not be able to expirence that. In my opinion Kent is my #1 option and they are more than affordable. I would also say that BB is the best shot for all-around gunning. Good luck!
I agree with Lars. Pattermaster choke tube is a must. I have had really good luck with 1’s and BB.
If you are an average or below average shooter…just buy the cheapest BBs you can. If you are a good shot…buy some good shells. I would pick up a case of #2 Remington Wingmaster HD. When the day is over….there will be twice as many dead birds on the ground. It will fold them like a rag doll at 80 yards! But…like I said..if you can’t hit them that far….it doesn’t matter what you are shooting.
I agree. I have hunted several times in Sask and the PatternMaster with Black Cloud BBB you can not go wrong.
Thought you were not suppossed to shoot black cloud with the pattern master
I really liked the new black cloud ammo it was a great load to shoot. I shot the 12 gauge 3″ black cloud at 2 shot and instantly it dropped the geese…
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I agree. I have hunted several times in Sask and the PatternMaster with Black Cloud BBB you can not go wrong.
Do not use a Pattermaster with Black Cloud! There is a warning about it. The wads can become lodged in the choke tube. If you look at a Black Cloud wad, you can see why. Part of the wad actually expanse causing the wad to slow down when leaving the barrel. Those flanges in the wads can catch on the lugs in the Pattermaster and cause the wads to stick there.
And that could be a bad thing right? 
It would be a bad thing on the second shot.
Thank you guys for the Patternmaster and Kent Fasteel recommendations. Patterned them out Sunday in the cold and wind, and wow is all I can say. Two weeks away to snow geese, just need it to warm up a bit. Shoot straight.
JH
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