Steel Shot = GARBAGE

Jseime · September 21, 2009, 07:02 PM

I was out shooting geese Saturday morning at the completely goofy hour of 5AM and I am completely frustrated. I run a Mossberg 500 3 inch with Federal BB 3 inch magnums for geese.

Why is it that hunting in the middle of a field a mile from the nearest slough I have to still use steel shot? An untold number of snow, specklebelly and canada geese escaped from what should be a very good range. I know I am hitting the birds, I know I am close enough and the freaking things just fly off wounded. I had to hit a large Canada goose three times to bring it down and ended up chasing it a 1/4 mile across the field. I hit numerous birds, knocked the feathers off their bellies from right overhead and they would simply fly away.

Short of getting a Remington SP-10 and loading it with $5/shot shells what can I do?

I have been looking at several options for improved ammunition, hevi-shot, Wingmaster HD, and Black Cloud, are any of these good enough to warrant the extra expense?

zoomie · September 21, 2009, 07:07 PM

What choke did you use? You could get a 3 1/2" gun.

RJM · September 21, 2009, 07:14 PM

Call those things in closer and quit sky busting.

jmr40 · September 21, 2009, 07:50 PM

I've never had any problems with steel shot bringing down birds I hit. I have had to go up in pellet size, use a more open choke, and limit the range somewhat, but it seems to work if I do my part.

oneounceload · September 21, 2009, 09:28 PM

maybe try some of the other heavi-shot offerings???????

Scubasimmons · September 21, 2009, 09:34 PM

You should have no problems with 3" BBs. The many issues with steel are a bit overblown. Sure the heavishot stuff (bismuth and tungsten I think) is better, but not worth the price.

roy reali · September 22, 2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Why is it that hunting in the middle of a field a mile from the nearest slough I have to still use steel shot? An untold number of snow, specklebelly and canada geese escaped from what should be a very good range. I know I am hitting the birds, I know I am close enough and the freaking things just fly off wounded. I had to hit a large Canada goose three times to bring it down and ended up chasing it a 1/4 mile across the field. I hit numerous birds, knocked the feathers off their bellies from right overhead and they would simply fly away.

In the United States because the government says you must. We know that they always make decisions based on solid science and common sense, don't we?

oneounceload · September 22, 2009, 09:36 AM

And it seems the Canadian gov't, (where the OP seems to be from), has done the same

Demaiter · September 22, 2009, 09:48 AM

try some steel loads @ 1500 fps #2's. Kent Fasteels have worked wonders for many. They say 2's have enough power to penetrate the skull and the neck so no.2's might allow for a denser pattern for more neck/head hits... what are your patterns like with the BB?

nutty ned · September 22, 2009, 01:09 PM

Try F or T shot

September 21, 2009, 07:02 PM	#1
Jseime Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,775	Steel Shot = GARBAGE I was out shooting geese Saturday morning at the completely goofy hour of 5AM and I am completely frustrated. I run a Mossberg 500 3 inch with Federal BB 3 inch magnums for geese. Why is it that hunting in the middle of a field a mile from the nearest slough I have to still use steel shot? An untold number of snow, specklebelly and canada geese escaped from what should be a very good range. I know I am hitting the birds, I know I am close enough and the freaking things just fly off wounded. I had to hit a large Canada goose three times to bring it down and ended up chasing it a 1/4 mile across the field. I hit numerous birds, knocked the feathers off their bellies from right overhead and they would simply fly away. Short of getting a Remington SP-10 and loading it with $5/shot shells what can I do? I have been looking at several options for improved ammunition, hevi-shot, Wingmaster HD, and Black Cloud, are any of these good enough to warrant the extra expense? __________________ I love the smell of fresh shotgun in the morning.

September 21, 2009, 07:14 PM	#3
RJM Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 560	Call those things in closer and quit sky busting. __________________ .327 SP101, .327 Blackhawk, .45 Vaquero, Browning Maxus, Browning Silver Lightning, Ruger no.1 .243, Stoeger .410 sxs, TC Contender, Remington 870 Wingmaster, Uberti 1860, Hawken, Moisin, Mauser, Marlin 60

September 22, 2009, 09:48 AM	#9
Demaiter Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2008 Posts: 240	try some steel loads @ 1500 fps #2's. Kent Fasteels have worked wonders for many. They say 2's have enough power to penetrate the skull and the neck so no.2's might allow for a denser pattern for more neck/head hits... what are your patterns like with the BB? Last edited by Demaiter; September 22, 2009 at 09:53 AM.

September 21, 2009, 07:07 PM	#2
zoomie Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: SEUS Posts: 1,684	What choke did you use? You could get a 3 1/2" gun.

September 21, 2009, 07:50 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 4,468	I've never had any problems with steel shot bringing down birds I hit. I have had to go up in pellet size, use a more open choke, and limit the range somewhat, but it seems to work if I do my part.

September 21, 2009, 09:28 PM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	maybe try some of the other heavi-shot offerings???????

September 21, 2009, 09:34 PM	#6
Scubasimmons Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 75	You should have no problems with 3" BBs. The many issues with steel are a bit overblown. Sure the heavishot stuff (bismuth and tungsten I think) is better, but not worth the price.

September 22, 2009, 09:36 AM	#8
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	And it seems the Canadian gov't, (where the OP seems to be from), has done the same

September 22, 2009, 01:09 PM	#10
nutty ned Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 765	Try F or T shot