Best Duck Hunting Cartridges

There is no single best duck hunting cartridge — the right choice depends on hunting distance, duck species, the firearm's calibre and choke value, shot size and wad type. This page covers the technical criteria for selecting a duck cartridge and the corresponding products in Ozkursan's catalog.

Shot material and pattern

A wide shot pattern is effective at short range, while a tighter pattern and higher muzzle velocity favour longer range. A duck's dense feathering requires shot carrying enough energy to penetrate cleanly, which makes shot size and chamber pressure important selection criteria. Lead and steel shot are both widely used: lead has long been the standard material but is restricted in some countries for wetland hunting due to its environmental impact, while steel shot — being harder than lead — produces a different pattern and range characteristic.

Ozkursan duck cartridges: technical comparison

Ozkursan's catalog includes two products defined specifically for duck hunting: Ozkursan Duck Special (lead shot, Special Series) and COM Duck Special (steel shot, COM Steel Shot Special Series). Catalog values for both are compared below.

Manufacturing and certification

Ozkursan has manufactured hunting and shooting ammunition since 1987. Production is covered by ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management) and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety) certification, issued by KingCert International Certification Ltd.

Choosing the right cartridge

As a practical sequence: first confirm which shot material — lead or steel — is permitted in the hunting area; then select shot size according to shooting distance, with coarser shot for short range and finer shot for long range; finally confirm that the firearm's chamber length matches the cartridge's case type (for example 12/16 70). If using steel shot, check that the barrel is steel-shot compatible before firing.