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Author Topic: Steel Shot  (Read 5744 times)

Offline chukarguy

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Steel Shot
« on: August 05, 2010, 01:41:42 PM »
New regs require steel shot on my hunting grounds. I have never used steel and have know idea what to buy. I usually hunt with a 20 gauge for chukars. So what size steel shot should I use. Thanks for the help 

Offline bonneylakebowman

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2010, 02:43:42 PM »
Im not sure about shooting steel for chukar but I used to hunt hunter farms and we shot 5's and 6's at the pheasants there and that was more then enough.  But thats the lame release sight birds. I would use the same size steel as lead.  :dunno:

Offline Curly

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2010, 02:46:37 PM »
Rule of thumb is 2 sizes larger for steel than what you would use in lead.  Probably size 3 or 4's for chukar.
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Offline vandeman17

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2010, 03:17:43 PM »
I wouldn't go any smaller then 4's. We shoot 2's and 3's for ducks so I don't think you can go wrong with 4-6...  :twocents:
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Offline AWS

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2010, 03:33:35 PM »
Took my 20ga to MT last year and used #5 steel for the first shot and backed it with #4 Blackclouds worked just fine for huns sharptails and pheasants.

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Offline MP123

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2010, 09:50:07 AM »
Steel usually patterns a little tighter than lead too so you might want to go with a more open choke if you can.

As mentioned be sure the barrel can handle steel shot, many older guns can't.  Then you'd have to use some of the super expensive non toxic shot.

Offline Bigshooter

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2010, 04:56:25 PM »
Id start looking for some deals on bismuth or hevi shot or some of the others ones that are similar.  I hate steel.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2010, 05:06:24 PM by Bigshooter »
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Offline h2ofowlr

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2010, 09:09:56 PM »
#5 or #6 would probably be fine.  Steel has come a long ways from it's inception.  It has picked up a lot of speed, so in close you will have a shorter lead.  I would pattern the type you want to shoot as you may have to open your choke up some.  If you have the money you can pick up Heavy Shot and it will perform and shoot similar if not better than your lead.
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Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2010, 09:21:27 PM »
#4 is what i would use.
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Offline fethrduster

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Re: Steel Shot
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2010, 06:33:46 PM »
I wouldn't use a 20ga. with steel for chukars.  Larger shot size with steel = poor pattern density in a 20ga and lots of cripples, as chukars can be tough birds, especially at longer ranges.  I'd go up to a 16ga or 12ga in steel, or reload your 20ga. with ITX shot in #6.  If you got a 16ga, you would also have the perfect all around upland gun, especially in areas you can use lead.

 


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