B686 Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 Hi guessing this may have been done a good few times and I have typed in the search bar ‘ recommend steel shot cartridge for pigeon’ . But ended up with over 300,000 posts but none tat actually seemed to relate to that. So any recommendations for a good cartridge and shot size for decoying. Haven’t used steel yet but farmer at back of where I live started drilling barley today so I’m expecting to have some decent shooting in a few days🤞🏻. Want to use steel as there is a pair of buzzards that have nested here last few years and there is also a pair of kites here now . So if I do get any pigeons that fly off and I can’t get as sometimes happens I can rest easy that if the buzzards or kites do find them I have no worries. Also are the any now that have fibre wads or similar? Thanks for any help👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHenry Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 I find that Lyalvale 'Precision Steel' 32g and 30g '5' are very effective. The only downside is picking up the plastic wads afterwards.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B686 Posted March 25 Author Report Share Posted March 25 Thanks for that , but picking up the wad could be a bit awkward as it’s being direct drilled into yellow mustard that was planted and sprayed off as a soil improver also barely stubble from previous year . So won’t be as easy to find as on normal drilled field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHenry Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 7 minutes ago, B686 said: Thanks for that , but picking up the wad could be a bit awkward as it’s being direct drilled into yellow mustard that was planted and sprayed off as a soil improver also barely stubble from previous year . So won’t be as easy to find as on normal drilled field. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 11 hours ago, B686 said: Thanks for that , but picking up the wad could be a bit awkward as it’s being direct drilled into yellow mustard that was planted and sprayed off as a soil improver also barely stubble from previous year . So won’t be as easy to find as on normal drilled field. I haven’t used on pigeon but very happy with Eley Ecosteel on pheasant so you don’t have to worry about wads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 I also like 5s for wood pigeons but my current preference for a cartridge is the Jocker cardboard wad no 4 steel. They pattern so well that even the 27 gram loads are very capable. There was a lad on here or on Facebook recently selling discounted by the thousand. Just Cartridges usually have them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 You could try gamebore 7.5 (2.5 mm) 28gram steel clay cartridges work fine decoying at sensible distances. There about the cheapest option for 12 gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fargo Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 I’d use lead with fibre wads personally However if your adamant on steel then I’d use Eley Grand Prix 30/4 with eco wads but going cost you £500/1000 roughly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B686 Posted March 26 Author Report Share Posted March 26 Thanks for the replies, 👍will probably give the Eleys a go. Although looks like this rain is going to hold up the drilling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny_blaster Posted March 27 Report Share Posted March 27 I’ve shot most steel cartridges on the market on pigeons and now my go to cartridge is the RC 24g 6’s. I’ve killed some seriously tall and long pigeons with them. Another good cartridge is the Bioammo 28g 7’s and the lylvale 28g 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 29 Report Share Posted March 29 The shooting organisations seem to recommend Bismuth shot and fibre wads ! 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted April 3 Report Share Posted April 3 On 27/03/2024 at 21:05, bunny_blaster said: I’ve shot most steel cartridges on the market on pigeons and now my go to cartridge is the RC 24g 6’s. I’ve killed some seriously tall and long pigeons with them. Another good cartridge is the Bioammo 28g 7’s and the lylvale 28g 5 A 24gm steel 6 sounds perfect to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B686 Posted April 6 Author Report Share Posted April 6 Hi ended up getting a slab of Bioammo blue 5’s . Haven’t been yet but field is being drilled now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 On 29/03/2024 at 10:11, Westley said: The shooting organisations seem to recommend Bismuth shot and fibre wads ! 🙄 Presume that is a tongue in cheek comment? Which organisation did you get that from please? There are various options for various gauges. BASC has published a list of alternative shotgun cartridges on the market on its website here: https://basc.org.uk/download/358749/?tmstv=1685980747 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 1 hour ago, Conor O'Gorman said: Presume that is a tongue in cheek comment? Which organisation did you get that from please? There are various options for various gauges. BASC has published a list of alternative shotgun cartridges on the market on its website here: https://basc.org.uk/download/358749/?tmstv=1685980747 It was quoted to me by a representative on the BASC stand at last years Game Fair. I had asked about my best course of action for using 'alternative ' shot through my 100 years old Westley Richards, which left the makers bored I/C & 3/4 chokes and with 2 1/2" chambers. As I have all but given up game shooting now, it is irrelevant anyway. I shall simply use it for growing runner beans up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 14 hours ago, Westley said: It was quoted to me by a representative on the BASC stand at last years Game Fair. I had asked about my best course of action for using 'alternative ' shot through my 100 years old Westley Richards, which left the makers bored I/C & 3/4 chokes and with 2 1/2" chambers. As I have all but given up game shooting now, it is irrelevant anyway. I shall simply use it for growing runner beans up ! 2!st century version of, 'Rest on on your arms. Reverse'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 On 06/04/2024 at 21:11, Westley said: It was quoted to me by a representative on the BASC stand at last years Game Fair. I had asked about my best course of action for using 'alternative ' shot through my 100 years old Westley Richards, which left the makers bored I/C & 3/4 chokes and with 2 1/2" chambers. As I have all but given up game shooting now, it is irrelevant anyway. I shall simply use it for growing runner beans up ! Thanks for clarifying that. So your assertion that "The shooting organisations seem to recommend Bismuth shot and fibre wads" was a bit misleading. What happened was that you got specific advice for your gun, having sought out that advice at the BASC stand at last year's Game Fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 (edited) Connor, that may have been specific advice for my gun, but I have read several articles in the shooting press, and I'm sure that you have too, where Representatives of various shooting bodies have advocated Bismuth loaded cartridges for older guns. Usually accompanied by "but you don't shoot that many cartridges on a game day", in an effort to justify paying their ridiculous price. I have used 'Bismuth ' cartridges in my gun, and quite frankly, I thought they were rubbish. I was bringing stuff down on a 'wing and a prayer', which I know I would have killed cleanly with lead. I even had someone ask how old the cartridges were ? It would appear that the 'earlier' Bismuth shot was too hard and therefore not killing cleanly. So, how hard is steel then ? I am thankful that my shooting career of over 65 years is coming to an end, and as a Life Member of BASC, I have to say I have been bitterly disappointed with some of actions or lack of, in the latter years. We have already agreed to disagree in previous posts and this looks like another. Edited April 8 by Westley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor O'Gorman Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 3 hours ago, Westley said: Connor, that may have been specific advice for my gun, but I have read several articles in the shooting press, and I'm sure that you have too, where Representatives of various shooting bodies have advocated Bismuth loaded cartridges for older guns. Usually accompanied by "but you don't shoot that many cartridges on a game day", in an effort to justify paying their ridiculous price. I have used 'Bismuth ' cartridges in my gun, and quite frankly, I thought they were rubbish. I was bringing stuff down on a 'wing and a prayer', which I know I would have killed cleanly with lead. I even had someone ask how old the cartridges were ? It would appear that the 'earlier' Bismuth shot was too hard and therefore not killing cleanly. So, how hard is steel then ? I am thankful that my shooting career of over 65 years is coming to an end, and as a Life Member of BASC, I have to say I have been bitterly disappointed with some of actions or lack of, in the latter years. We have already agreed to disagree in previous posts and this looks like another. Sorry you feel like that and particularly given your life membership you could perhaps put pen to paper and write to the editor of BASC magazine or the BASC CEO or Chairman at BASC HQ postal address outlining whatever those concerns are? And vote in the BASC elections - maybe contacting some of the candidates first? And attend the next AGM and ask your questions there? If you don't like using bismuth maybe try an appropriate load of steel? See the following advice: https://basc.org.uk/ammunition/moving-away-from-lead/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B686 Posted April 11 Author Report Share Posted April 11 Pigeons finally found the drilled barley , so took a day off and got over and set up by 11.30 . Put out just my magnet with two dead birds from the freezer pigeons started dropping in straight away stopped shooting by 4.30. Picked up 81 for 107 shots. First time using bioammo blue . Honestly say I didn’t notice the difference from what I would normally use which were clear pigeon 30gm 6 fibre wads . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weihrauch17 Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 32 minutes ago, B686 said: Pigeons finally found the drilled barley , so took a day off and got over and set up by 11.30 . Put out just my magnet with two dead birds from the freezer pigeons started dropping in straight away stopped shooting by 4.30. Picked up 81 for 107 shots. First time using bioammo blue . Honestly say I didn’t notice the difference from what I would normally use which were clear pigeon 30gm 6 fibre wads . Have you a Game Dealer to take them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B686 Posted April 11 Author Report Share Posted April 11 Luckily I know a few people I can give them away to. Used to take them to Ben rigby but they don’t take them anymore. They did give me the number of someone in Tiptree who they said takes them but it’s easier to give them away. Will give this person a ring if I get anymore though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weihrauch17 Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 2 minutes ago, B686 said: Luckily I know a few people I can give them away to. Used to take them to Ben rigby but they don’t take them anymore. They did give me the number of someone in Tiptree who they said takes them but it’s easier to give them away. Will give this person a ring if I get anymore though. Good to see them used, we used to sell to two pubs dressed but they have changed hands and now only buy commercially. No Game Dealers round here so I have stopped shooting them as I refuse to throw them in a ditch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B686 Posted April 11 Author Report Share Posted April 11 If I couldn’t get rid of them I wouldn’t shoot them either 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krico woodcock Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 Nice bit of shooting there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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