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From: jim@doctor.chem.yale.edu (James F. Blake)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: steel shot
Message-ID: <386@erb1.engr.wisc.edu>
Date: 17 Mar 91 14:16:47 GMT
References: <361@erb1.engr.wisc.edu>
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From: jim@doctor.chem.yale.edu (James F. Blake)

>From article <361@erb1.engr.wisc.edu>, by nvuxl!gjb@bellcore.bellcore.com (G. Blanchard):
> 
> 
> From: nvuxl!gjb@bellcore.bellcore.com (G. Blanchard)
> I'd appreciate hearing opinions on steel shot. Is it as useless
> as people say it is?

  For most waterfowl hunting shots, lead and steel are very similar, but
if you can consistently make 50-70 yd shots on B-52's (i.e., Geese), steel
fails miserably.  I usually use steel 1-2's for ducks and F shot for Geese.
Even though I can make the longer shots, my SOP is to pass them up.
Check local regulations before stuffing any shells in your vest, or 
it could be a very expensive outing.

  I only use 3" shells, since steel just doesn't have the killing power 
of lead.  You can also forget about using a 20 gauge with steel (I don't
recall ever seeing 20 gauge steel loads).

> 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?

  Check local regulations.  In the quota zone in Southern Illinois, it's a
$50.00 fine for EACH lead shell you are CARRYING.  When I was hunting in
Carbondale a few years ago, a friend of mine had 3 shells in his game bag
left over from Dove season.  Mr. Game Warden burned him with a $150.00 fine
even though they were 7 1/2 dove loads and he wasn't near any water.

  I have switched to all steel loads for the most part since you can avoid
all sorts of trouble this way.  Pheasants are pretty easy to bring down 
with steel.  Since steel patterns much tighter than lead, I use improved
cylinder (Rem Chokes :-) and 4 shot.

  Jim