Waterfowl hunters engage in an activity where tradition and technique go hand-in-hand based on specialised long-standing knowledge of this particular habitat, where the game is often unpredictable and never easy. Conditions that anyone else would call bad weather and stay indoors are those favoured by waterfowl hunters as these give you the best chance of success. Teals and mallards are the first species to show themselves towards the end of summer, then the number of migrating flocks grows as winter draws near.
When the north wind blows, bringing cold and rain, as the fog recedes, it may also bring the first magical flight of duck as men wait, shivering in the cold, in their wetland hides, searching the dark sky with their fingers crossed, hoping the game will be beckoned by the duck calls and convinced by the meticulously placed decoys.
When the north wind blows, bringing cold and rain, as the fog recedes, it may also bring the first magical flight of duck as men wait, shivering in the cold, in their wetland hides, searching the dark sky with their fingers crossed, hoping the game will be beckoned by the duck calls and convinced by the meticulously placed decoys.
For some time now the law requires waterfowl hunters to use cartridges loaded with shot made of alternative alloys to lead, as lead is considered highly toxic.
While the theory behind this reasoning is far from proven, hunters and ammunition manufacturers have had to adapt to the new requirements.
Baschieri & Pellagri is one of the top ammunition manufacturers and the company has invested a great deal in terms of research, searching for optimal solutions for waterfowl hunters, to make sure they won’t miss their good old lead shot cartridges.
The company from Bologna (Italy) made excellent progress and developed its range of three Dual Shock cartridges specifically designed for waterfowling, an efficient response to the variety of situations that may arise on this type of hunt.
A double layer of shot of a different diameter is used to guarantee high muzzle velocity at long ranges, producing a compact spread with high penetrating power. Baschieri chose to use copper shot, the density of which is 9 gram/cm3, much higher than that of other alloys, to maintain high residual energy over long ranges.
The shot, with the smaller pellets in the lower layer, is galvanised to make it harder and less susceptible to deformation, while the upper layer of larger shot “guides” the opening compact spread, making it lethal at long range. In ballistic terms this means a muzzle velocity of around 440 m/s.
Baschieri & Pellagri produces this ammo in 3 load versions for the 12-gauge cartridge for the different types of anatidae you may be hunting.
The 32 gram cartridge with No. 6/4 shot is perfect for your first barrel and small to medium sized duck, like teal.
The medium 34 gram cartridge with No. 5/3 shot is a valid solution for your second barrel for taking shots at longer ranges or for more challenging game such as widgeon; finally the heavier 36 gram cartridge again with No. 5/3 shot is for bigger ducks like mallards and pintails, and it can even be used for your third barrel when hunting geese.
All these cartridges are assembled with plastic star crimped cases to protect the powder from any sort of weather conditions, and a special plastic wad complete with a high-capacity cup keeps ballistic performance constant and reliable even when taking shots at the extreme ranges this type of game often requires.
For more information, please visit the Baschieri & Pellagri website.
