Steel Shot

[wymberley]

I've just been number crunching with another member and what has become apparent is one reason why some shooters think that steel shot is useless when as many will confirm it works well within its specification. Existing users will have already decided what works for them but sooner or later it's virtually guaranteed that everyone everywhere will be using Non Toxic Shot (NTS) and as steel is the cheapest and does work, inevitably there is going to be a dramatic increase in its use but newcomers will not have much of an idea what to select. The reason is simply that the packaging information is poor, advertising specifications (I refuse to use the prefix, 'technical') are sadly lacking and if it was a bag of flour on offer in Tesco would have possibly contravened the advertising standards regulations into the bargain.

 

In this respect, CIP, our Proof Houses, our Associations and not to mention the manufacturers, have all let us down badly. Instead of sitting on their laurels having proudly pronounced that all you need to do with steel is to go up two shot sizes and left it at that, the likes, of , say for example, BASC who appear to be firmly in favour of the material should have continued work to ensure we know what we're getting.

 

Currently it's a nightmare for any novice, as across the board - imported or UK made - there is no consensus with regard to shot size, velocity or pellet count. It would be advantageous if the voice of shooting were to put a hold on some of its more dubious activities and started hammering on a few doors in Westminster to ensure that it's done by statute if they fail to get agreement among the importers/UK manufacturers that any specifications are standardised and are of sufficient quality to ensure the purchaser is aware of exactly what they are getting.

 

Until such time as someone finally pulls their finger out, there is an option. If it can be ascertained what the pellet diameter actually is in inches, its weight/pellets per ounce/32 grams or whatever, and what the velocity is a the muzzle, there's hope.

 

A simple formula whereby the pellet ballistic coefficient equates to its weight in pounds ( 437.5 divided by pellets per ounce divided by 7000), divided by 2.3 (a constant) times its diameter squared. Given this, then with the pellet weight in grains (437.5 divided by pellets/oz) and the MV, the online Hornady Ballistics Calculator works a treat. Although not the be all and end all, for the larger goose size pellets in particular but obviously all sizes, it'll give their performance at 50 yards and for smaller ones at 25 yards to quite an accurate degree - certainly good enough for any field application.

 

On the other hand you could buy RC who appear to be the one exception to the above.

[superspark]

Just pattern you gun with different shot sizes and ranges and that will give you as much info as you need to start. Just make sure your cokes are not tighter than half or you will damage your gun barrels.

Oh and make sure your gun is proofed for steel shot.

[Guest cookoff013]

yep wymbers, with you 100% of the way.

 

infact it has been a real eyeopening project. the first main problem was working out what the shotsize actually is, UK / US and what type of lead. Wmberly and i got together to criuch over some numbers to dispel some of the assumptions with steel shot always directly comparing it to lead. thats where everyones experience is based. the table we are about to publish (just waiting for mod approval.) contains the shotsize guide comparing lead shot and steel shot in UK and US sizes respectively. within this it also contains the speed or energy of both shot material and both uk / us shotsizes at 40 yards. 40 yards being the longest sporting shot. any further it is considered "less sporting,"

 

now this guide is for those who relatively have limited experience with steel shot. the speed and energy calculations have had to be normalised / limited to 1400fps at muzzel for both steel shot and lead. thats about the set standard for good lead loads and normal steel shells. so the table does not look at homeloads who are exempt from guidelines. it looks at CIP limited loads. that is what the average shooter will be able to get hold off.

 

the table however doesnot discuss cartridge shot weight. that should be for an individual to decide.

[motty]

Just pattern you gun with different shot sizes and ranges and that will give you as much info as you need to start. Just make sure your cokes are not tighter than half or you will damage your gun barrels.

Oh and make sure your gun is proofed for steel shot.

Steel can be used through barrels with more than 1/2 choke. Also, steel proofing isn't always necessary.

[motty]

yep wymbers, with you 100% of the way.

 

infact it has been a real eyeopening project. the first main problem was working out what the shotsize actually is, UK / US and what type of lead. Wmberly and i got together to criuch over some numbers to dispel some of the assumptions with steel shot always directly comparing it to lead. thats where everyones experience is based. the table we are about to publish (just waiting for mod approval.) contains the shotsize guide comparing lead shot and steel shot in UK and US sizes respectively. within this it also contains the speed or energy of both shot material and both uk / us shotsizes at 40 yards. 40 yards being the longest sporting shot. any further it is considered "less sporting,"

 

now this guide is for those who relatively have limited experience with steel shot. the speed and energy calculations have had to be normalised / limited to 1400fps at muzzel for both steel shot and lead. thats about the set standard for good lead loads and normal steel shells. so the table does not look at homeloads who are exempt from guidelines. it looks at CIP limited loads. that is what the average shooter will be able to get hold off.

 

the table however doesnot discuss cartridge shot weight. that should be for an individual to decide.

I think whatever you've come up with, the choice will still be up to the individual. There are still enough people who argue about what size in lead should be used on pigeon. Again, I think what sizes people use should be based a little bit on experience. A 'guide' will be of some use, though.

[wymberley]

I think whatever you've come up with, the choice will still be up to the individual. There are still enough people who argue about what size in lead should be used on pigeon. Again, I think what sizes people use should be based a little bit on experience. A 'guide' will be of some use, though.

That is precisely our objective. It guides the relatively inexperienced into making a choice based on reasoning.

[Anth6568]

Looking forward to seeing the table.

[Graham M]

Steel can be used through barrels with more than 1/2 choke. Also, steel proofing isn't always necessary.

Yes it can, but it isn't prudent to do so as soft iron doesn't compress as well as lead, and a tight choke can cause a burst/bulged barrel.

No more than 1/2 choke is usually given as a SAFER option although gawd knows what I will do with my old hammerguns if I can't use 21grms of lead through them.

G.M.

[Guest cookoff013]

I think whatever you've come up with, the choice will still be up to the individual. There are still enough people who argue about what size in lead should be used on pigeon. Again, I think what sizes people use should be based a little bit on experience. A 'guide' will be of some use, though.

 

yep ! there is no understating that. but everything comes down to cost. i mean why use Gamebore mammoths when the competition steel is 1/4 the price. not to mention the reduction in recoil.

everything boils down to cost. guys start using clay loads for birds. when really the issue is, why does 1 oz of #6 cost 30% more?? its the manudacturers price fixing.

 

if decent loads in good shotsizes were cheaper comparable cartridges, then everyone wouls be using classic load. they`d be decent and cheaper. how can 4 kg of lead per 1000 justify 30-40% increase in cost?

 

what about those that want to use great loads but are only sold rubbish in the gunshop. even i have been advised to use clay loads on wildfowl, and i`m not talking about steel either.. so wasnt there a thread naming and shaming a gunshop who was advising the use of lead on ducks withing england? the guy even asked for nontxic shot / steel !

 

the sooner people start buying decent loads, and ignoring the poor performing loads, the better. the manufacturers will just stop making rubbish.

 

i have even been shouted at by some guy in a gunshop, because i am insane because i was making my own ammunition in there, he had never ever heard of anything so ludicrus in his life. i should wake up and buy some d&js in 7.5s and shoot some pigeons.

is he right? should i give up my reloading gear and givi in and stick to 7 steel and lead?

 

with any change there is going to be conflict, its sooner or later the change will happen. i for one dont want to be using ammunition not fit for purpose.

[figgy]

Yes it can, but it isn't prudent to do so as soft iron doesn't compress as well as lead, and a tight choke can cause a burst/bulged barrel.

No more than 1/2 choke is usually given as a SAFER option although gawd knows what I will do with my old hammerguns if I can't use 21grms of lead through them.

G.M.

There is all ways bismuth and nice shot for older guns, and prices should fall if the lead ban does come in. I hope not though.

 

Figgy

[wymberley]

There is all ways bismuth and nice shot for older guns, and prices should fall if the lead ban does come in. I hope not though.

 

Figgy

The performance of the more popular sizes for bismuth is given in a table at the 'Optimum loads/shot sizes thread in this sub-forum. With approval, this will be transferred and coupled up with the table referred to above as a 'quick reference' facility.