Isn’t it funny? Old Myths just won't die.
May 1, 2014 9:29:03 GMT -5
Post by slugger on May 1, 2014 9:29:03 GMT -5
Some Myths' just will not die.
#1 Never shoot steel shot in a full choke gun,
Wrong ! If you want to shoot with a tighter pattern and longer distances you need a very tight choke and BIG shot. The Myth come from the first generation steel shot and the old soft steel shotguns. the old shells weren't sealed moisture tight and the shot COULD rust together and make a steel slug. When pushed through your old Parker's choke some times it would make a slight bulge in the choke area. Mostly cosmetic in single barreled guns , just a bit less choke...Not a problem now days.
#2 Steel shot just bounces off the ducks and geese.
There again back in the day ,yes most steel shells where a bit anemic and under powered.
Just can't load'n like lead, you need speed and bigger shot to carry energy to kill birds. Bigger pay loads going faster is key. I like shells that run right under the speed limits of your choke normally 1500 fps. Size does matter. Just forget any thing about lead when you pick steel shot size, distance will dictate the shot size not the size of the bird. Bigger shot , farther distance. BUT after about BBB the air and feather resistance is so poor there just not a good choice.
#3- 2 3/4",3", 3 1/2"
Gets a little fuzzy here. Most cases a 2 3/4 just cant stuff enough shot in to make a good water foul shell. All in all a 3" is a vey good choice the 3 1/2 does carry more shot but normally with less speed, and way more recoil and price. If you need very big shot a 3 1/2" is the way to go but a 3" for most cases is very serviceable.
#4 12 v 10 gauge.
YES a 12 3 1/2 and a 10 gauge are about the same, Kinda. With a 10 the steel will exit the larger boar in a lot better pattern in fact I have seen info that says an 8 gauge would be the optimum size to shoot larger shot steel, to bad we cant use'm...
Any others that just don't pertain to todays steel shot gunning?
#1 Never shoot steel shot in a full choke gun,
Wrong ! If you want to shoot with a tighter pattern and longer distances you need a very tight choke and BIG shot. The Myth come from the first generation steel shot and the old soft steel shotguns. the old shells weren't sealed moisture tight and the shot COULD rust together and make a steel slug. When pushed through your old Parker's choke some times it would make a slight bulge in the choke area. Mostly cosmetic in single barreled guns , just a bit less choke...Not a problem now days.
#2 Steel shot just bounces off the ducks and geese.
There again back in the day ,yes most steel shells where a bit anemic and under powered.
Just can't load'n like lead, you need speed and bigger shot to carry energy to kill birds. Bigger pay loads going faster is key. I like shells that run right under the speed limits of your choke normally 1500 fps. Size does matter. Just forget any thing about lead when you pick steel shot size, distance will dictate the shot size not the size of the bird. Bigger shot , farther distance. BUT after about BBB the air and feather resistance is so poor there just not a good choice.
#3- 2 3/4",3", 3 1/2"
Gets a little fuzzy here. Most cases a 2 3/4 just cant stuff enough shot in to make a good water foul shell. All in all a 3" is a vey good choice the 3 1/2 does carry more shot but normally with less speed, and way more recoil and price. If you need very big shot a 3 1/2" is the way to go but a 3" for most cases is very serviceable.
#4 12 v 10 gauge.
YES a 12 3 1/2 and a 10 gauge are about the same, Kinda. With a 10 the steel will exit the larger boar in a lot better pattern in fact I have seen info that says an 8 gauge would be the optimum size to shoot larger shot steel, to bad we cant use'm...
Any others that just don't pertain to todays steel shot gunning?
