Bird shot

[KoozeDeer]

Howdy fellas, so I used to shoot a lot of birds before the lead ban, I shot 7 1/2 most of the time. However I really haven’t hunted in the last few years. What’s everyone using for bird shot? Particularly with these Eurasians that are the size of small chickens?

 

[ilovesprig]

Size #7 steel seems to work best out of my Benelli M-2 20 gauge.

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[Morgan1776]

@Chris240 I found #7 steel adequate for dove, but not quite the knock-down power on 7.5 lead we used to use. I'd use #6 for Eurasians.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

I use #6.

 

[Dawnandusk]

I use #7 and they come down well....
12 Ga CZ 912

 

[TeamRoper]

3 1/2 T shot.i want clean kills.oop.
Steel sucks.

 

[MJB]

#6 with speed lots of speed 1400-1500fps

Steel sucks!

 

[as73]

I agree, The steel needs to be shot at a faster fps to have the same knock down that the lead had!
I always shot #7 lead 1 1/8 1280 Modified choke and the birds were dead
Now I shoot #6 steel 1 1/8 1400 IC choke and that does the trick!
Works great on Doves, Euros,Quail and Pheasant

 

[Pitchinwood]

I've had rather good results with steel. I usually shoot 1oz #7 modified choke and pepper them pretty well.

 

[Pitchinwood]

@1325 FPS

 

[Pitchinwood]

I’m upping my game this year to 1375 and 1400 1 1/8

 

[QuailSlayer]

I use 7s in fast steel for morning and white wing. For all other upland, I’ve had good success with Hevi-shot products. Dad and I along with friends found we were getting too many crippled quail with straight steel. Hevi fixed that and results seem close to lead.

 

[CTR13]

Kent steel dove #6 W/ imp. Cyl. Works best in my 1100.

 

[sandfish]

I also like the Kent steel dove 1oz #6 1400fps. Works good on quail also.

 

[WaterDog]

I’m kind of struggling with this question. I’m so use to lead it’s tough transitioning to steel for upland birds. It’s going to be a trial and error learning experience. For dove I use to use lead #7 1/2 and #8’s. With steel probably 6’s and 7’s. Pheasants I used 6 lead. Now I’ll try 4 Steel. I accidentally bought a box of 6 steel so I’ll give that a try on pheasant too. Quail I used 7 1/2 lead. I’ll probably try 7 and 6 steel.
For ducks I use mostly #2 and #3 steel, have shot a lot of ducks over the years so I know what I can do and my limitations with 2 and 3 steel. I could see using #3 steel for pheasants. I think we are going to have to learn our limitations with steel to avoid cripples. I think there’ll be a lot more crips until hunters get use to steel.

 

[Morgan1776]

I’m kind of struggling with this question. I’m so use to lead it’s tough transitioning to steel for upland birds. It’s going to be a trial and error learning experience. For dove I use to use lead #7 1/2 and #8’s. With steel probably 6’s and 7’s. Pheasants I used 6 lead. Now I’ll try 4 Steel. I accidentally bought a box of 6 steel so I’ll give that a try on pheasant too. Quail I used 7 1/2 lead. I’ll probably try 7 and 6 steel.
For ducks I use mostly #2 and #3 steel, have shot a lot of ducks over the years so I know what I can do and my limitations with 2 and 3 steel. I could see using #3 steel for pheasants. I think we are going to have to learn our limitations with steel to avoid cripples. I think there’ll be a lot more crips until hunters get use to steel.

@WaterDog picking up #6 steel was a good find. Perfect for Euros! As previously mentioned #7 steel for dove works. I wish I hadn't gone so crazy stocking up last year on steel shot, I only bought #7's.....

 

[WaterDog]

From years and years of stocking up on lead I still have a bunch of it. Guess I’ll be shooting clays with a variety of shot.

 

[Wildgame]

I am going to try 7s this year out of my 20ga..Last year I shot 6 and knock them dead but I missed a bunch of them, I hope more pellets with a little higher velocity can get me a couple of more birds this year.

 

[dblsmk]

Since I have to use steel shot I'm happy with 6 shot as a first choice for dove and quail with #7's as a second. If I do my part they both will work.

 

[Pitchinwood]

I stocked up on both of these. Will be shooting my new gun for the first time on openers. I'm a bit excited. I haven't bought a new gun in over 30 years. I figured it was time.

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