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From: pht@ohgua.ATT.COM (Phil True)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: steel shot
Summary: steel shot is harder
Message-ID: <440@erb1.engr.wisc.edu>
Date: 27 Mar 91 13:02:39 GMT
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From: pht@ohgua.ATT.COM (Phil True)

> From: mitchell@metaphor.metaphor.com (Greg Mitchell)
> 
> Can anyone explain why steel shot produces a tighter pattern than lead ?
Steel shot is harder than lead.  When the shot goes through the choke,
it does not deform like lead does.  Now, not all the lead shot gets   
deformed, and most of the deformities are simply indentations on the 
pellet from the other shot, rather than becoming elliptical or    
something.  Anyway, since the lead isn't (necessarily) round any more,
it tends to fly in an arc, rather than a straight line.  Ever shoot a 
slingshot with a pebble? -- Same thing.

An aside to steel shot vs. lead shot patterns.  Since the steel doesn't
deform, it tends to produce more back-pressure.  So, if you have a lot
(too much) powder, the pattern goes to hell, and spreads out more than
lead would with the same load.  Also, a modified choke for lead is 
equivalent to a full with steel, or so some say.

Another interesting aside:  There is an English manufacturer that has
come up with some metal/plastic polymer that deforms like lead in the
choke tube, but rebounds to the same shape outside the barrel.  It's 
also more environmentally concious.  It is rather expensive, though,
and I don't think it's available in the U.S. yet.

Phil

All my opinions are just that, and I don't share!