Steel and Non Toxic for Pheasants.

[DitchDR]

Im looking to see what you guys are using for steel and nontoxics for pheasants. I am going to pheasant hunt in Iowa this year and since I have to use non toxics on state land there, I am going to expand my hunting areas here to include waterfowl production areas. I know there are probably going to be 100 different answers. I am currently using Federal Premium Wing Shok Upland Loads.

[mrp]

http://www.texashuntfish.com/app/wildlife-resources/20287/Lead-vs-Steel-Shot

It's appropriate to select a steel shot size that's two designations larger than the lead shot you would normally use. For hunting grouse, say, you might try No. 6 or 4 steel rather than No. 8 or 6 lead.

[mattxd]

http://www.texashuntfish.com/app/wildlife-resources/20287/Lead-vs-Steel-Shot

It's appropriate to select a steel shot size that's two designations larger than the lead shot you would normally use. For hunting grouse, say, you might try No. 6 or 4 steel rather than No. 8 or 6 lead.

I end up following that guidance used to use #4 now #2steel, the other thing is these are shotgun shells anything beyond a reputable manufacture is just marketing BS. I'll limit out on cheep Winchester faster then my doctor friend shooting black cloud or what ever is new this year.

[DitchDR]

Thanks for the link. It was very helpful.

[sgruenhagen44]

In my browning bps with a skeet choke, I like to run light goose loads! With them you can reach out and thouch em but it only takes a couple pellets to kill. Doesn;t tear up the meat either. Size 2 or 1, even BB. STEEL sucks

[Lunchbox]

Never had any issue with the blue box federal steel loads. Aside from when I'd would go hunting with dad I'd carry #4 shot, if it flew and I had a shot it was down. When I would go with dad it was strictly pheasant and I would use lead (SoDak= a lot more shooting)

[sgruenhagen44]

Lead is denser and hits harder which =better than steel. Steel is usually faster but I do have some lead loads that shoot 1500 fps

[yukonjasper]

3" magnum load of 2 or 4 shot. We shoot steel exclusively since its a hassle to figure out where you can and can't use lead and we mix Duck Hunting with Pheasant, so it saves the hassle of swapping back and forth - for the most part I use 2 shot - universal (although not ideal) for duck and pheasant.

I've never been able to justify spending a mint on wonder metal shot shells. Cool, wiz bang shot shapes and alloys doesn't make up for Shot placement. I should know after this weekends duck hunt, sheesh what an embarassment - glad I was alone or I would have been razzed forever - anyone want a shotgun with an obviously bent barrel that seems to always shoot high, low or behind ducks - sometimes won't even shoulder........ My dog was very disappointed with me.........errr I mean with that damn gun..................

[grousemaster]

I use #2's if using Steel. It's outrageous that they make us use such a light metal, as we all know lead is overstated as a toxin as it relates to hunting. Lot's of cripples are the result of using steel.

[Holland&Holland]

3" magnum load of 2 or 4 shot. We shoot steel exclusively since its a hassle to figure out where you can and can't use lead and we mix Duck Hunting with Pheasant, so it saves the hassle of swapping back and forth - for the most part I use 2 shot - universal (although not ideal) for duck and pheasant.

I've never been able to justify spending a mint on wonder metal shot shells. Cool, wiz bang shot shapes and alloys doesn't make up for Shot placement. I should know after this weekends duck hunt, sheesh what an embarassment - glad I was alone or I would have been razzed forever - anyone want a shotgun with an obviously bent barrel that seems to always shoot high, low or behind ducks - sometimes won't even shoulder........ My dog was very disappointed with me.........errr I mean with that damn gun..................

That sucks, I know the feeling. I discovered this weekend that my decoys are obviously defective and my duck call must be off key. Plenty flying around, just none would come check out the defective spread.

[cobb]

I try not to hunt in areas that require non-toxic shot when hunting pheasants, but when I do have to use non-toxic for pheasant I use 3" #4 steel and improved cylinder in my Benelli.

[DitchDR]

Thanks guys, it seems the consensus is 2 to 4 shot 3" shells. I never really hunted un places requiring non toxics either, but since I am going to Iowa and there is a ton of public land around the little town I visit quite often, and from what I read in the Iowa reg its required on public land, it would be silly to drive all that way and not check out some of thr publics.

[sgruenhagen44]

I use #2's if using Steel. It's outrageous that they make us use such a light metal, as we all know lead is overstated as a toxin as it relates to hunting. Lot's of cripples are the result of using steel.

Multiple times at 40 yards I have covered a bird with my pattern and watch feathers fly but the rooster does not go down. If you see a rooster manage to glide over a 100 yards and you didn't obviously see a leg hanging down you might has well consider him lost. With 2 3/4 lead loads of #4 shot I will kill birds past 40 yards, dead before they hit the ground. It can be pretty frustrating losing birds because of non toxic shot. I'm lucky where I don't hunt much Waterfowl production areas. I mostly hunt in SOuth Dakota on private land, and when it's public it usually is just a walk in area where you can use lead.