20 ga poppers

[k2k]

My dad and I were talking dogs the other day, and he mentioned he was loading up some 16 ga poppers for a guy. He was using less powder, of course, and white rice.

I've got a 20 ga. Anyone know if poppers are made for that gauge (my dad didn't know of anyone) and where to get them?

Alternately, anyone got a recipe for them or know where I could find one? I'm sure I can find someone to load them up for me (dad's too far away).

Thanks!

Karen

[ezzy333]

What do you do with them?

Ezzy

[k2k]

They're just a less-noisy, less kick shell as opposed to a regular 20 ga shell.

I was thinking it might be a little better to use when gun-breaking the pup.

[ezzy333]

They're just a less-noisy, less kick shell as opposed to a regular 20 ga shell.

I was thinking it might be a little better to use when gun-breaking the pup.

Pups are not hard to breakto gunfire. Just let them get a little distance away no matter what you use and have them chasing or at least interested in something. I don't see how it would be worth the effort.

Ezzy

[k2k]

To each their own, I guess.

[Wildweeds]

I make them myself,the reason being is that the area I train in is a steel shot only area and,I only use live ammo when killing birds,for my homers I use the popper shells.I shoot alot of skeet and just use the recipe for my skeet loads with the rice charge.It makes a hair less noise as you suggest because of the weight of the payload in the wad and the pressure created.Find a 20 load in the charts and fiddle around with the powder charge,start middle of the road and go either down or up to MIN/MAX to find the noise level you want,obviously if the wad doesn't clear the barrell you'll want to pump it up some.


My load is Mec loader ......#22 bushing for the powder,powder is International clays,a claybuster wad and minute rice/birdseed/rye seed/winter wheat.I've used all of it for the shot filler.

[Wildweeds]

Ezzy

I've got one that's being really tough on the gunfire breaking,Won't chase wingclips,just takes 2 jumps then points the area they've landed in,Even with teasing him with the bird before it's thrown.I got him all stirred up,I got bit when he snapped at it,I let the bird go,he took 2-3 jumps after it,stopped and pointed the landing spot 20 feet away,My assistant fired just a primer from approximatley 20 yards away with the muzzle in the opposite direction of the dog and there was a slightly visible negative reaction.He's 6 months old,I've been at the loud noise thing since I got him,Hand clapping and such when he was younger.He'd much rather point than chase.It's going to be a great advantage when it comes time to break him out after overcoming the noise sensitivity issue thats presently showing.Or maybe he'll never overcome it.I'm about ready to get some banty chickens for him to run around the yard to get his "Drive" in the go mode.


I've broke or been involved with breaking about 100 or so dogs(20 of my own) to the gun and agree that it's fairly easy to do,however I've seen 3 now that are like the pup I've described above.So it's not always easy.

They're just a less-noisy, less kick shell as opposed to a regular 20 ga shell.

I was thinking it might be a little better to use when gun-breaking the pup.

Pups are not hard to breakto gunfire. Just let them get a little distance away no matter what you use and have them chasing or at least interested in something. I don't see how it would be worth the effort.

Ezzy

[ezzy333]

My advice is to stop the gun training and get the pup out in the field and let him run and explore with little or no voice commands from you. The pup has to discover the fun of finding and chasing a bird or he will end up walking with you instead of hunting. 6 months is very young yet in a dogs life so don't get impatient. The pup just needs exposure I would guess. The pup is not too young for gun training but it sounds like it just isn't ready yet and needs a whole lot more exploring time without thinking about anything else.

The other thing is when I am breaking to gunfire I do not take and release birds. It is done when we are out exploring so the pups mind is not on me or listening for me but rather is completely wrapped up in whatever it is finding. I don't think loud noises has much to do with gunfire though I used to think so. But I have discovered that getting use to loud noices teaches it to accept loud noises but the way to get use to gunfire is to fire a gun. Dogs know the difference.

Ezzy

[postoakshorthairs]

The other thing is when I am breaking to gunfire I do not take and release birds. It is done when we are out exploring so the pups mind is not on me or listening for me but rather is completely wrapped up in whatever it is finding.

Sorry for the highjack...but EZZy are you saying you shoot with the pup just out wandering and NOT around birds?

[ezzy333]

The other thing is when I am breaking to gunfire I do not take and release birds. It is done when we are out exploring so the pups mind is not on me or listening for me but rather is completely wrapped up in whatever it is finding.

Sorry for the highjack...but EZZy are you saying you shoot with the pup just out wandering and NOT around birds?

Yes I do but not just wandering. I would rather do it without birds so if it bothers in anyway the pup can not associate with a bird. Once it is established there is no real problem then I will introduce birds to the equation and start getting closer till I can shoot when a bird flushes and be able to knock it down for the pup(hopefully).

Chasing song sparrows , butterflies, or field mice all work well.

Ezzy

[mcbosco]

we live behind some county land that is leased usually for sweet corn and the farmer uses a propane cannon to keep deer away...my dog heard that noise 20 or 30 times a day for weeks and never flinched the first time a shot gun went off...

lucky me