Steel vs Lead in Chokes
Does the same choke throw a tighter pattern using steel shot than lead? All help greatly appreciated.Thanks
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Steel shot patterns run 2-3 sizes tighter than lead, when fired through the same amount of choke.
Lead Cyl = Steel Modified
Lead IC = Steel Improved Modified (Full with large shot)
Lead Modified = Steel Full
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Pete - What Tailgunner said is probably mostly true - those are essentially the manufacturer's guidelines. However, it wouldn't hurt to pattern your shotgun at 30 yds & 40 yds with both and see just how your rig performs. That's always good to know in any case. I have an old Smith & Wesson 12 ga pump gun in full choke - an Eastfield, the least expensive I could find at the time. I bought it new in 1974 when our duck hunting area became a required 12ga/steel shot only test zone. I have shot lots of steel shot through it (I know, conventional wisdom is Steel Shot + Full Choke = Bad, but nobody said that around here thirty years ago) and almost as much lead shot, and there is virtually no difference in the way this gun patterns steel and lead inside a 30" circle. Some may say that the choke is opened some over the years, I don't know, but it patterns consistently. Just my experience.
"Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals."
Albert Schweitzer, 1875-19650 -
For the most part yes but to what extent can depend on the payload and shot size. The basic reason steel shot patterns tighter is because it is harder and the pellets do not deform like lead when they pass through the choke.The deformed lead pellets often fly erradically causing the pattern to open while the nice round steel pellets track straighter. In theory steel provides a more uniform pattern. A #7 or #8 shot theoretically can pass through a given choke with less disturbance than say a #2 or BB and may pattern different. 0 -
Thank you all for your answers. They greatly helped me. 0 -
Don't trust the mfgs. markings. Take your gun to the range and teat it with several shot sizes.
I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.0 -
Use Tungsten 0 -
How about Hevi-Shot? Will the pattern run tighter through the same choke just like steel? 0 -
Hevi shot has nearly the same dynamics as steel for pellet deformation and should pattern nearly the same with alot more energy downrange. the downfall with hevishot is that you should not use it in your older guns, just like steel. if you go with tungsten or bismuth it deforms like lead and can be used in some older guns without the worry of blowing your choke out. and these alternatives, are non toxic like steel. They hit harder, Kill quicker and farther, but are expensive. 0
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