Steel Shot Pattern

Nighthawk

August 16, 2002 08:15

I have a Beretta Shotgun that I like to bird hunt with.We took it out to shoot some skeet,I thought I would see how well I could do with the steel shot I hunt with.I had the steel choke in the gun and was hitting about two for six.So I set up a target at 25yrds to see how it was pattering.It was shameful very few shot was hitting the Large paper target.I switched chokes and went to lead shot.Then it shot a good pattern.Has anyone had trouble with steel shot?

Thanks in advance

Rugster


Tou Jours Pret

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  JB

  August 16, 2002 15:53

  I have shot a lot of lead and steel shot and basiclly steel shot is junk. As far as the point of aim goes, I can't help you. I used to use lead 4's and 5's for decoy hunting. I have since switched to 2's and mostly BB's for my ducks. My Benelli has two sets of chokes. One for steel and one for lead. I belive that the steel shot uses one step more open than the lead does.
  
  I'm not an expert on this. but I have seen a ton of ducks shot with steel No. 2's fly away. ( and probably die)

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  aglore

  August 16, 2002 16:27

  rugster you didn't mention what shot size you were using. Is this an O/U or a pump/auto. Steel shot does not like full or X-Full chokes from my shotguns so I use Bismuth or Tungsten/Iron. Wish I could get some Hevi-Shot ammo. The Bismuth and Tungsten-Iron works very well out of any of my shotguns that I shoot it out of. It is especially good in my 10 gauges. Some field guns are designed to shoot high for raising birds like pheasant. Taking the sons out this weekend to shoot some trap to get ready for duck season.
  
  AlleninAlaska
  
  He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
  -- Thomas Paine

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  tocamoha

  August 17, 2002 06:03

  Aglore's got it right.Hevi-shot patterns best.

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  nelchris

  August 17, 2002 06:16

  I have found that if you use smaller shot and a more open choke you will kill a lot more ducks/geese. I use 4s mostly but for creeks 5 or 6 shot nock the sh-- out of them

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  Nighthawk

  August 17, 2002 06:28

  Its a Semi auto and the steel shot was 4, and so was the lead shot.Someone told me to buy a different steel choke but I forgot the Name Ive got it wrote down.I mostly grouse hunt,but some times I get the chance to duck hunt,And I use BB shot for that.Any suggestions?
  
  Thanks!!
  
  Rugster
  
  
  Tou Jours Pret

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  aglore

  August 17, 2002 08:38

  BB shot is kind of big for ducks. Move to a smaller shot size, like #2 in one of the high velocity loads.
  
  AlleninAlaska
  
  He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
  -- Thomas Paine

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  Nighthawk

  August 18, 2002 07:19

  Ill give that no.2 shot a try maybe it will give me better odds there should be more pellets in no.2.I need all the help I can get.Thanks!
  
  Best!!!
  
  Rugster
  
  
  Toujours Pret

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  duckhunter

  August 18, 2002 21:56

  I USE TWO'S IN A CYL. CHOKE. AND IMP WOULD BE AS TIGHT AS I WOULD USE. LET US KNOW HOW YOU COME OUT. GOOD LUCK, JOHN
  
  I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.

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