Best lead shot load for survival/small game hunting?

S

Smash05

Joined
Jul 16, 2007
Messages
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Would #6 shot be sufficient for survival/subsistance hunting, or should it be kicked up to #4?
 
Where are you and what game is available there? Why did you decide on a shotgun rather than a rifle?

In general it makes more sense to use small rifle cartridges to get large game than to use large shotshells to get small game. If there is no large game at all where you're going to be trying to survive that might be an exception....

Trapping is usually much more productive than hunting anyway.

There's a Wilderness & Survival Skills forum here.
 
It really depends on several factors... what you're shooting at, range, how well your gun patterns different loads, etc.

Whatever shot size you choose, for best performance, you need to buy (or handload) quality ammunition. Budget loads usually contain softer shot that deforms a lot, resulting in velocity & energy loss, as well as poorer patterning.
 
Like Cougar Allen said, game in your area should determine it, but I don't even use #6 for pheasant anymore. I'd go with #4 or #2 if you have geese, ducks, turkeys, or other edibles like raccoon. Of course, the beauty of a shotgun is the diverse loads you can have. Why not keep some buckshot and some slugs handy too?
 
#8 or #7 is about right for small game. Doves, squirrels, rats, rabbits, quail, snakes.

For big high fying birds or resiliant critters like cats, raccoons and coyotes you want at least #4 shot or bigger.
 
For an all purpose game load #6 will do (though arguably 4's might be better). You just have to be closer for larger stuff (duck, goose, turkey), depending on how your particular gun patterns. Choke tubes can help, too (pattern each one). Throw in some buck and/or slugs for the really big stuff and you're all set. This all supposes a FBO. Trekking with a shotgun is hard because of the weight/bulk of the ammo.
 
I'll explain my purpose. I have a .22 as well, which would be the go to load. But, I have a good 12 ga, and am loaded up with good 00Buck and Foster Slugs. I want to take advantage of the versatility of all of my firearms, similar to how I have the whole gambit of loadings for my 357mag. Its just a matter of keeping the loads around for an emergency. I have all kinds of game around here, Squirrel, Rabbit, Turkey, Pheasant, Goose, Duck, etc. I assume it would be easier to do with a 22lr, but that does not mean I don't want to cover the contingency. I often post over at WS&S, and I am also considering a 20ga Rossi as a survival gun, perhaps with a 22lr matched barrel. Just trying to cover the bases.
 
Okay, that makes sense. You have the shotgun and slugs and buckshot; you should lay in some birdshot too....

In a post-nuclear war scenario or whatever, no grocery stores and no game laws, flocks of wild turkeys and Canada geese would be good sources of meat -- and of course you're not going to be wing-shooting for sport; you're going to be aiming for head or neck shots on sitting geese much like the turkeys....
 
For the game you mention, you might consider a .357 lever action rifle to go with your pistol. On the high end, it would give you .30-30 ballistics, and you can load it down with .38 specials to limit meat destruction on smaller game.
 
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