PIGEONS VS CURMUDGEON

Load of the Week 01-10-2011  

In some quarters pigeons are thought of as quaint objects flitting about under bridges and monuments.  Some may believe the bird is undeserving of the shotgunner’s attention.  WRONG! The pigeon is possibly the most elusive bird the shotgunner may undertake.  Among other skilled aerodynamic tricks, pigeon flight includes, but is not limited to, diving, climbing, twisting, sudden swift acceleration, barrel rolls, and deceleration.

Several times during the colder months of the year, the Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club in Prior Lake, MN (http://www.horseandhunt.com) rallies fifty or more hearty & cheerful shooters to a classic Barn Duck event. A delicious lunch is served at the lodge prior to receiving event instructions.  Twenty-six pegs are set out with two shooters per peg.  The pegs are placed in a large circle surrounding several ponds, three modest hills and dappled with pines and bare trees.  The ring” diameter is roughly one-third of a mile.  During this event two thousand pigeons (generically known as rock doves) are to be released over a three hour span.  Shooters advancing several pegs at a time in six intervals.  Anyone who deludes themselves to think that these pigeons will be easy to take has never been exposed to this kind of shooting.  Their resolute toughness compels one to think of these birds as “Rock Solid” as opposed to Rock Doves.  The Event Master, Terry C., cautions shooters to take a minimum of at least a half-case of shells to the pegs.  He points out that event history demonstrates that the average pigeon requires ten shells to finally be put down.  (A pheasant has a put-down rating of three shells).   While a hit pigeon may “poof” feathers this way and that, a one-shot knock downs is usually not in the cards.  Pigeons are indeed tough and elusive birds.

The Event Master assigns shooters to peg number and color then   adds a dog handler and his/her retriever to the peg.  Curmudgeon was pleased to team with a father and son shooting duo and a seasoned dog handler, Phil S., and his eager blond male lab, “Pirate”.   Phil said that he was pleased to work alongside the Curmudgeon because it assured plenty of action for him and his pooch.               

For those who have not attended a “Barn Duck” event, Curmudgeon assures you of the following:  A pigeon can fly in short spurts as fast as a canvasback or pintail.  However, a pigeon is capable of seemingly limitless aerial tricks, things that no duck can do.  The pigeon can put on air brakes, coming to a complete stop in mid-flight. They hover, turn, dip, dive or even reverse course.  The average pigeon is a master flyer and this must be their gift in the process of Darwinian Selection.  For every pigeon that flies a straight line, three will fly an insane and unorthodox pretzel route; a bit like Foster Brooks as a flying ace.  Has Curmudgen ever been embarrassed by a pigeon?  Of course; challenging shotgunning is always a lesson in humility.  This is the very reason why we keep developing new pigeon loads and coming back for more.    

At this particular outing, a gamey pigeon flew straight at Curmudgeon.  At thirty-five yards out, as Curmudgeon was closing on the trigger, the bird sharply dropped off to the right, then side-slipped to the left, went into a brief aerial halt, then quickly twisted and accelerated straight up. He then reversed course and exited the shooting field.  Curmudgeon never got a shot off.  All this action took place in less than three heartbeats.  The last we saw of this bird it was headed for the South Dakota border.  Curmudgeon simply took his hat off and saluted.  Nothing else could ever match the flying magic of the common barnyard pigeon. 

During the course of the event some pheasants were released.  Compared to the zig-zagging erratic flights of pigeons, the pheasants appeared to be large, slow Zeppelins moving on straight line courses toward the horizon.  Curmudgeon observed that none of the pheasants made it past the pegs.  However, pigeons by the score swooped, swirled and blew out of the ring.          

Each Barn Duck event has its own weather.  This adds to the mix of shooting variables.  Curmudge lies awake at night thinking of the next challenge.  He consults weather maps and searches his mind while designing new loads.  The predicted chill is 30F to 35F degrees, which is almost balmy for Minnesota.  A calm, modestly comfortable day is predicted.  On this day wind will not be a factor - just stable cool weather.  For C’s light nimble loads a swift powder is required.  Enter Hodgdon’s International Clays. What gauge to shoot?  Shotgun selection is very important.  Choke matters too.  The shotgun needs to match load selection.  Ah, the O/U Winchester-101 12ga F/M with 30” barrels.  Smaller size lead shot should be effective.  Feeling inventive, Curmudgeon designs a new series of innovative loads: Lightweight 7/8 oz. shot charges of #7 & #6.5 nickel-plated lead shot loads.  The loads are tested moving at speeds between 1600 and 1700 feet per second. This is the kind of load that will prosper in quick, impulsive type of shots typical with pigeons.  Curmudgeon also loads some NP #6 and ITX #6, just in case the wind picks up or the pigeons take to higher altitudes.  These loads are made up in 24-gram (370 grains) and 7/8 oz. (382 grains) utilizing several BP wads.  Even though these are loads are light, they can still pack some sharp recoil.  Choose your shotgun accordingly.  The Win-101 weighs 7.08 lbs. - not a light-weight shotgun.  For example, Curmudgeon caught up with a pigeon diving off to his left, nailing it with a hasty swing. In doing so, Curmudgeon slid the butt down his arm onto the bicep and, ouch!  it left a three day bruise.

Pigeon events offer Curmudgeon a unique outdoor laboratory for field testing.  The bright winter afternoon began on peg #5, set behind a line of trees.  We find ourselves staring into the sun.  Pigeons darting across the sun-line became invisible for seconds on end.  In pigeon-fly-by time this brief moment might as well be an hour.  After an initial assault, the pigeons circled, gained altitude and departed, flying very high. The #7 lead loads did not daunt them.  Pirate was wondering if he might have a boring afternoon.  However, when our party we left the peg, Pirate had collected twenty pigeons.  Good reward for a fine dog.  We were then pegged on a small hill set in heavy tree cover – except for in front.  This position put Curmugeon in place to shoot back-up for his teammates.  A perfect setting for the #7’s and Pirate.  We collected our share of one-shot pigeons and many with the #7 in tree-line backups.  The next peg moved us down to the base of the hill.  Pigeons become high shots with quick darting shapes.  Curmudgeon broke out the #6.5 & #6 NP loads using the SRC wad.  WOWZER!  Curmudgeon immediately ran four pigeons dead in the air with only five shots. The rest of the pegs were combinations of 24-gram and 7/8 oz of either NP#6.5 or NP#6.         

It was a fine day of tough shooting that yielded more discoveries.  Shotgunning is an ever-expanding horizon.

L0AD# 120103-3603R (24 gram, 370 grains)   

HULL:  FEDERAL PB (Plastic Base) 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FED209A  

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 28.5 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SHOT:  24 gram (370 gr.) #7, #6.5, #6 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10900 FPS 1650      

L0AD# 111230-3598 (24 gram, 370 grains)   

HULL:  FEDERAL PB (Plastic base) 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FED209A  

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 27.0 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SHOT:  24 gram (370 gr.) #7, #6.5, #6, #5 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10000 FPS 1580      

L0AD# 120103-3609R (7/8 oz, 382 grains)   

HULL:  FEDERAL PB (Plastic Base) 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FED209A  

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 28.0 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SHOT:  7/8 oz. (382 gr.) #7, #6.5, #6 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 11000 FPS 1630

L0AD# 111230-3597 (24 gram, 370 grains)   

HULL:  FIOCCHI 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FIO616

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 29.0 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SHOT:  24 gram (370 gr.) #6.5 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10400 FPS 1635                    

L0AD# 120103-3801 (24 gram, 370 grains)   

HULL:  FIOCCHI 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FIO616

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 30.0 Grains

WAD:  L078

SHOT:  24 gram (370 gr.) #7 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10800 FPS 1675                    

L0AD# 120103-3602 (24 gram, 370 grains)   

HULL:  FIOCCHI 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FIO616

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 30.0 Grains

WAD: SPARK

SHOT:  24 gram (370 gr.) #7 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10500 FPS 1630                    

L0AD# 120103-3606 (7/8 oz, 382 grains)   

HULL:  FIOCCHI 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FIO616

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 29.0 Grains

WAD:  L078

SHOT:  7/8 oz.  (382 gr.) #7 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10400 FPS 1600                    

L0AD# 120103-3608 (7/8 oz, 382 grains)   

HULL:  FIOCCHI 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FIO616

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 29.0 Grains

WAD:  REX

SHOT:  7/8 oz.  (382 gr.) #7, #6.5 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10600 FPS 1620      

L0AD# 120103-3607 (7/8 oz, 382 grains)   

HULL:  FIOCCHI 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: FIO616

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 29.0 Grains

WAD:  SPARK

SHOT:  7/8 oz.  (382 gr.) #7, Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10800 FPS 1630      

L0AD# 111230-3596 (24 gram, 370 grains)   

HULL:  CHEDDITE 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: CH209

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 29.0 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SHOT:  24 gram (370 gr.) #5, Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10200 FPS 1645                                

L0AD# 111227-3584 (7/8 oz 382 grains)   

HULL:  CHEDDITE 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: CH209

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 28.5 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SH-OT:  7/8 oz. (382 gr.) #6.5 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10800 FPS 1625      

L0AD# 111230-3595 (24 gram, 370 grains)   

HULL:  RIO 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: RIO209

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 29.0 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SHOT:  24 gram (370 gr.) #7, #6.5, #6 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10000 FPS 1610

L0AD# 111230-3599 (24 gram, 370 grains)   

HULL:  RIO 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: RIO209

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 30.0 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SHOT:  24 gram (370 gr.) #7, #6.5, #6 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 11000 FPS 1660

L0AD# 120103-3605 (7/8 oz. 3820 grains)   

HULL:  RIO 12ga 2.75”    

PRIMER: RIO209

PROPELLANT: HOGDGON INTERNATIONAL CLAYS 29.0 Grains

WAD:  SRC

SHOT:  7/8 oz. (382 gr.) #7, #6.5, #6 Nickel Plated shot  

FOLD CRIMP: 6-point        

Result: PSI 10800 FPS 1630