Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!zazen!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!erb1!osnome!hunting From: eburns@ADS.COM (Edward Burns) Newsgroups: rec.hunting Subject: Re: steel shot Message-ID: <377@erb1.engr.wisc.edu> Date: 16 Mar 91 12:15:44 GMT References: <361@erb1.engr.wisc.edu> Sender: news@erb1.engr.wisc.edu Organization: Advanced Decision Systems, Mt. View, CA (415) 960-7300 Lines: 35 Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu From: eburns@ADS.COM (Edward Burns) In article <361@erb1.engr.wisc.edu> nvuxl!gjb@bellcore.bellcore.com (G. Blanchard) writes: >I'd appreciate hearing opinions on steel shot. Is it as useless >as people say it is? We just finished our sixth season with steel shot here in California. Personally, I think the only thing wrong with it is its cost. After adjusting to the different flight characteristics(which wasn't easy), I've really had no trouble at all unless it is a very windy day. In that case, you need to go to very large shot which of course hurts your pattern. I should point out though, that I only hunt with decoys. A pass shooter who needs to take shots of 40 yards or more, will have more problems. I keep my shots to no more than 35 yards, and at that range there is no loss of "knock-down power". >Also, If I'm pheasant hunting in a marsh during the waterfowl >season, am I required to use steel or can I load up with lead? Depends on the place. I hunt public refuges and the rules vary between them. At Colusa, you can use lead if you are hunting pheasant only. The rules clearly state though, that you can't shoot waterfowl if you are carrying any shells containing lead shot. At Grizzly Island, you can't carry lead at any time. >Is there any way to harden existing old shotgun barrels so that they >can be used with steel shot? How about something like ion implantation? Not sure, but it's not a problem in anything other than a full choke barrel. I've been using a modified for the six years, and it hasn't caused any problems. Ed