Shot Size!?

[270Shooter]

Steel patterns much tighter than lead because it is harder and the pellets don't get deformed as they travel down the barrel and through the choke. For this reason I prefer steel for almost all hunting. And yes I do believe that steel 3's and 4's kill pheasants more effectively than lead 6's because steel shells are generally faster and will pattern tighter than lead. The only downside to steel is that it is lighter than lead but it's really not as big of a difference as everyone thinks. The only thing I'll use lead for is turkeys, clays, and if I am quail hunting and not expecting any roosters.

Problem is most "wild phez" jump at 50+ yards. Lead or heavy shot is the only thing capable to put the hurt at that range.

Steel shot is perfect for box chickens on the other hand

haha well don't tell that to the wild Yakama Rez birds I've killed with steel I think they'd beg to differ.

[singleshot12]

Steel patterns much tighter than lead because it is harder and the pellets don't get deformed as they travel down the barrel and through the choke. For this reason I prefer steel for almost all hunting. And yes I do believe that steel 3's and 4's kill pheasants more effectively than lead 6's because steel shells are generally faster and will pattern tighter than lead. The only downside to steel is that it is lighter than lead but it's really not as big of a difference as everyone thinks. The only thing I'll use lead for is turkeys, clays, and if I am quail hunting and not expecting any roosters.

Problem is most "wild phez" jump at 50+ yards. Lead or heavy shot is the only thing capable to put the hurt at that range.

Steel shot is perfect for box chickens on the other hand

haha well don't tell that to the wild Yakama Rez birds I've killed with steel I think they'd beg to differ.

haha at 50 plus yards wild birds

[270Shooter]

Steel patterns much tighter than lead because it is harder and the pellets don't get deformed as they travel down the barrel and through the choke. For this reason I prefer steel for almost all hunting. And yes I do believe that steel 3's and 4's kill pheasants more effectively than lead 6's because steel shells are generally faster and will pattern tighter than lead. The only downside to steel is that it is lighter than lead but it's really not as big of a difference as everyone thinks. The only thing I'll use lead for is turkeys, clays, and if I am quail hunting and not expecting any roosters.

Problem is most "wild phez" jump at 50+ yards. Lead or heavy shot is the only thing capable to put the hurt at that range.

Steel shot is perfect for box chickens on the other hand

haha well don't tell that to the wild Yakama Rez birds I've killed with steel I think they'd beg to differ.

haha at 50 plus yards wild birds

well yeah I'd say I've killed a few roosters around the 50 yard mark with steel shot, but I really don't hunt pheasants all that much, but I can tell you I've killed a good many ducks that far or farther and I'd say a big mallard is every bit as tough as a rooster. Now if I was to hunt late season pheasants with no snow on the ground and that's the only bird I'm expecting, then yes a imp mod or full choke with lead or heavy shot would be more ideal.

[wildweeds]

25% of the pattern  at any yardage is constant no matter what the choke constriction,when your on em your on em.

[singleshot12]

Steel patterns much tighter than lead because it is harder and the pellets don't get deformed as they travel down the barrel and through the choke. For this reason I prefer steel for almost all hunting. And yes I do believe that steel 3's and 4's kill pheasants more effectively than lead 6's because steel shells are generally faster and will pattern tighter than lead. The only downside to steel is that it is lighter than lead but it's really not as big of a difference as everyone thinks. The only thing I'll use lead for is turkeys, clays, and if I am quail hunting and not expecting any roosters.

Problem is most "wild phez" jump at 50+ yards. Lead or heavy shot is the only thing capable to put the hurt at that range.

Steel shot is perfect for box chickens on the other hand

haha well don't tell that to the wild Yakama Rez birds I've killed with steel I think they'd beg to differ.

haha at 50 plus yards wild birds

well yeah I'd say I've killed a few roosters around the 50 yard mark with steel shot, but I really don't hunt pheasants all that much, but I can tell you I've killed a good many ducks that far or farther and I'd say a big mallard is every bit as tough as a rooster. Now if I was to hunt late season pheasants with no snow on the ground and that's the only bird I'm expecting, then yes a imp mod or full choke with lead or heavy shot would be more ideal.

50+ yard mark with steel on wild birds ya using nitro-mag 2's or bb's and getting lucky with a pellet to the head or wing tip?

My experiance is..and I've had years of both lead and steel is - -  Steelshot is only consistantely lethal at the 25-35 yard mark reguardless of shot size. Sure you can kill a bird to smitherings at less yardage but who wants to do that?

Lead is good for a much wider range from 10 yards all the way to 80.

Not sure how anyone can ever justify steel being as versitile and or equal and lethal as lead is

[WSU]

Lead 4 or 5 will consistently fold roosters at 50.  Steel won't.

[Curly]

Lead 4 or 5 will consistently fold roosters at 50.  Steel won't.

Yup.

And ducks too.  Boy, I miss those old days of duck hunting with my 30" full choke and 1.5 oz of 5's.   

[WSU]

I had an old wingmaster with a 28 inch fixed full barrel during college in Pullman.  I'd buy 1 1/4 lead 5's at tri-state (don't recall the brand but around $5 box).  That stuff was deadly!