steel shot

[chris64]

I've been using bizmuth No2 for wildfowl but not impressed with it,want to try steel what would you serjest shotsize ect ,my gun's chamberd 2 3/4'' .

[henry c]

The reccomendations are 2 sizes bigger for steel, but No. 2 shot is already quite a big shot size.

 

What are you mainly shooting?

 

for ducks i would say use 3 shot in steel and for geese 2 or 1 shot in steel in at least a 36 gram load. Its best not to take really long shots with steel.

 

Hope this helps.

[chris64]

the bismuth is ok on duck drop's them easy enuff only shot one goose whith it flook shot, ive been told their not hard enuf for goose so want to try steel or tungston matrix thats serpost to be as good as lead, not herd of this so eny advice would be appreciated

[poontang]

the bismuth is ok on duck drop's them easy enuff only shot one goose whith it flook shot, ive been told their not hard enuf for goose so want to try steel or tungston matrix thats serpost to be as good as lead, not herd of this so eny advice would be appreciated

 

You could also have a look at Hevi Shot Classic Doubles. It's designed specially for older guns and has good knock down power! :o

[henry d]

Hi Chris, I have just changed guns to a 3 1/2" chambered Beretta because of the problems you have quoted and I found Tungsten matrix the best between Bis/TM/steel in 2 3/4" chambered guns.

[anser2]

32 gr of steel in a minimum of 4s are ok for close duck but at 40 yards I doubt as good as Bismuth 5s or 4s. I shoot about 500 steel shells a season and to be realy effective you need at least the fast 36 gr magnum 3 inch loads which in 3s or 2s will kill mallard to 45 yards .... just. Without a super steel choke I would not use steel at geese further than 35 yards. However with a super choke and 3.5 inch load steel in BB or BBB 1.5 oz are very good at geese to 50 yards.

 

The Bismuth 2s you have been using have a very open patten for duck , but maybe ok for close geese. Assuming you are an average shot you should be aiming for a goose in the bag for every 3 shots. If your average falls below this I suspect the shell is not up to the job.

 

Probably the best shells you can buy for longer range shooting are hevi-shot. But they are very pricy , but 31 gr of 5s are bril for duck and 4s good for geese as long as you do not push your range too much.

Edited December 16, 2009 by anser2

[chris64]

Thanks for the advice I've paterned the bismuth at thirty yards and they give very tight patern with 1/2 & 3/4 choke's.