Best Shotgun Shells for Snow Geese

Things in the world of snow goose hunting are about to get crazy. It's time for magazine tubes, electronic calls, and decoy spreads that require a 2 a.m. start time. It's time for tornados of white, fast-cycling, and post-hunt hull collections that make those who experienced the hunt marvel at the piles of spent plastic and brass.

The Light Goose Conservation Season is an ultra-special time for those who love it and chase the migration. Aside from finding time to grab a nap, keeping the ammo supply positive and out of the negative is the most challenging thing. I've experienced hunts where I've cycled 75 rounds of ammunition, which depletes the ammo reserve quickly. A few years back, I went through a case of ammunition in nine days. If you don't prepare accordingly, you could go to the garage, man room, etc., to refill the blind bag and find the Federal reserve (pun intended) empty.

I marvel at the new waterfowl shotshell offerings each year. Manufacturers find ways to create more blends that fly faster and hit harder. From multiple steel types to bismuth to tungsten, waterfowler goers have more options than ever. Not to mention, ammo makers have taken notice of the sub-gauge craze, giving snow chasers even more options. The results are more dead birds, more meat for the freezer, and grip and grin photos that will live forever on the wall or mantle.
Here is some of the best ammo to stock up on and blast at springtime snowstorms.

Boss Steel Reserve 12 GA 3" 1-3/8 Oz

Making the sky rain white is always the goal, and Steel Reserve from the minds at Boss makes a killer snow goose-getter. The 1-3/8-ounce #1 copper-plated steel shot is ground smooth to ensure proper patterning with minimum drift, and the Modified War Chief Wad sports a double gas seal for efficient powder burn. Boss gave the wad a Biotec additive, which aids in the environmental breakdown of the plastic. If your spring snow goose sojourns keep you cycling shotshells, Steel Reserve will keep more money in your pocket and allow you to dominate the skies.

$29 box of 25; bossshotshells.com

Apex TSS/S3 Steel Blend - 20 Gauge

The sub-gauge craze knows no bounds, and many who partake in the insanity of the conservation season walk afield with a fast-cycling 20-gauge slung over their shoulders. If you're a sub-gauge lover, let me introduce you to Apex's TSS/S3 Steel Blend - 20 Gauge shotshells. TSS/S3 marries Apex's kill ‘em dead TSS with premium-plated S3 steel shot. Apex TSS/S3 Steel Blend is available in blends of #2 S3 Steel/#7-1/2 TSS and #4 S3 Steel/#7-1/2 TSS. The muzzle velocity of these 1-1/8-ounce payload pink feet killers is 1,250 fps. Earlier this season, my youngest son, Brody, hammered five stud Canada geese over decoys with the #2/#7-1/2 blend. Imagine what it will do on smaller-framed, lighter-skinned snow geese.

$48.99 box of 25; apexmunition.com

Federal Ultra Steel

New from the minds at Federal is Ultra Steel. Available in a smattering of patterns and gauges (10, 12, and 20 ga.), Federal Premium Ultra Steel combines the field-proven FliteControl Flex Wad with a payload of zinc-plated steel. According to Federal, the result is tight patterns and limit-filling (even though springtime snow limits are virtually non-existent) performance. We haven't tested Ultra Steel yet but are eyeing the 12 gauge 3-inch double-stack BB and #2 1-1/4-ounce payload blend for the upcoming snowstorm. Sub-gauge goers should give the #2 and #4 blend a go.

$37.99-$57.99 box of 25; federalpremium.com

HEVI-Shot Hevi-Steel

Speed kills, and you get plenty of it if you feed your favorite snow goose slayer HEVI-Shot's Hevi-Steel. Ready to roll in a smattering of patterns and gauges, Hevi-Steel is an economical option that produces results. The 7.8 g/cc precision steel pellets pattern well and hit with a wallop migrators can't handle. Increased velocity means more down-range killing power and all-new layered loads like the 12-gauge 3-inch 1-3/8-ounce payload #2/BB and 20-gauge 3-inch 1-ounce payload #2/#4 add a new flavor to the Hevi-Steel line that will likely become a blind bag favorite. Plus, you get all that performance at a per-box price that doesn't break the bank.

$27.99-$35.99 per box of 25; hevishot.com

Remington Nitro-Steel Duplex 12 Gauge BB and 4

The newbie in Remington's Nitro-Steel Duplex lineup is 12 Gauge BB and 4. Overkill for snow geese? Nope! This shotshell combines two of our favorite shot sizes and promises maximum lethality when a white tornado is over the decoys and geese hang on the outside edge of a monstrous spread. The two different steel shot sizes—the high-velocity magnum (BB) steel payload provides killing power at longer ranges, and the smaller shot size (#4) crushes at closer distances. The tough, versatile four-petal Remington Wad protects barrels and helps the payload perform its best across a range of choke tubes. We like the drab hull for less reflection, which matters when magazine tubes get emptied, and hulls lay everywhere.

$42.99 box of 25; remington.com

Winchester Last Call 12 Gauge

When I see a 3-inch 1-1/4-ounce shotshell loaded with #7 TSS, I can't help but raise an eyebrow. I'm not saying this is the only snow goose shotshell you should buy unless you plan to dip into the kids' college fund, but I absolutely suggest having a box or three in your blind bag. Buffered 18 g/cc tungsten means insane payload energy and clean, deep wound channels. With more pellets, you do more damage. Having already proven to be a devastating load on birds across the country this season, it’s sure to send snows falling from the sky. The sealed wad and primer ensure maximum water resistance for safe and reliable performance. The muzzle velocity is 1,500 fps.

$62.99 box of 25; winchester.com

Browning Wicked Wing XD

Yeah, we know there's a mallard on the box, but we've flat-worn white geese out with Wicked Wing XD 3-inch #2s. With a 1-1/4-ounce payload with a muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps, this waterfowl wrecker features a round, smooth, corrosion-resistant steel shot that ensures consistent patterns in various chokes. The Wicked Wad allows for uniform shot release and helps keep patterns tight while protecting your barrel.

$29.99 box of 25; browningammo.com

Kent Fasteel 2.0 Precision Plated Steel Waterfowl

The name's a mouthful, but we promise the snow geese don't mind a bit. Hitting a pleasing price point, Team WILDFOWL tends to rock 12-gauge 1-3/8-ounce #1s when it's time to set massive spreads, flip on the electronic caller, and fill the extended mag tube in preparation for a hell of a good time. Fasteel 2.0's nickel head resists corrosion, which can be problematic in the rainy, muddy and snowy spring season. The precision-plated steel shot ensures remarkable pattern density, and the premium wad promises excellent patterns no matter the conditions. A shotshell won't fire unless the primer ignites the powder, and Kent's CX2000 Primer never-fail ignition starter.

$30.99 box of 25; kentcartridge.com

There you have it, eight snow goose killers that will help you make the 2025 snow season one to remember.

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