Best "Non Toxic" Field Load?

TurkeyHunter4ever · July 31, 2009, 03:04 PM

I will be hunting Quail and Pheasant on a waterfowl preserve this fall. The basic requirement is non toxic shot. All that I am finding is magnum loads for waterfowl (YIPES

- Quailburger).

Anyone know of the best INEXPENSIVE available non toxic field loads?

johnbt · July 31, 2009, 09:33 PM

How about something like this for quail and then something in a #3 or so maybe going a little faster for the bigger birds.

Federal Target 12 Ga. 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz, #7 Steel Shot $7.22 per 25

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=73500

jrothWA · August 1, 2009, 06:22 PM

That will determine the shot to use.

any double-barrel, etc, should use the Bismuth in that type gun.

Contact the manufacturer if in doubt.

johnbt · August 1, 2009, 08:09 PM

I don't believe small steel shot like #5 or #7 will bridge any choke and cause a problems. The real problems occur when you start using BB size and such, although I've hunted with lots of people who did it with old guns and never blew a barrel. I tried to stay as far away from them as the blind or boat would allow.

As far as "any" double needing Bismuth (at $3 or $4 a shot), clearly that isn't the case. For example, www.rblshotgun.com/rbl12.htm plainly states that steel is okay.

"The CZ-USA shotguns with barrels configuration made as double barrelled ... These shotguns can be shot with shells containing lead and also steel pellets. ...
http://www.czub.cz/zbrojovka/cz-manu...hotguns_en.pdf "

The Marlin made L.C. Smith O/U are not guaranteed for steel shot if you shoot chokes tighter than Modified.

And so on. Barrel scoring doesn't seem to be nearly the problem it was before they improved the plastic wad cups years ago.

John

TurkeyHunter4ever · August 1, 2009, 11:50 PM

I started using my sporting clays gun in the field a couple seasons ago. Even with the longer barrels I am far more comfortable with it than others I have. It is a Winchester Select Energy Sporting O/U with 32" barrels. About 2 1/2 years old now.

It is essentially a Browning, built in the Belgian FN plant. I dearly love it! I will be using IC chokes.

archer1988 · August 4, 2009, 07:21 AM

Anyone know of the best INEXPENSIVE available non toxic field loads?
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=73500

July 31, 2009, 03:04 PM	#1
TurkeyHunter4ever Member Join Date: July 29, 2009 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 50	Best "Non Toxic" Field Load? I will be hunting Quail and Pheasant on a waterfowl preserve this fall. The basic requirement is non toxic shot. All that I am finding is magnum loads for waterfowl (YIPES - Quailburger). Anyone know of the best INEXPENSIVE available non toxic field loads? __________________ The purpose of fighting is to Win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more Important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The Final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental. (Author unknown)

August 4, 2009, 07:21 AM	#6
archer1988 Junior Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Posts: 6	Anyone know of the best INEXPENSIVE available non toxic field loads? http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=73500 __________________ A fate worse than death

July 31, 2009, 09:33 PM	#2
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	How about something like this for quail and then something in a #3 or so maybe going a little faster for the bigger birds. Federal Target 12 Ga. 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz, #7 Steel Shot $7.22 per 25 http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=73500

August 1, 2009, 06:22 PM	#3
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	what age the shotgun? That will determine the shot to use. any double-barrel, etc, should use the Bismuth in that type gun. Contact the manufacturer if in doubt.

August 1, 2009, 08:09 PM	#4
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	I don't believe small steel shot like #5 or #7 will bridge any choke and cause a problems. The real problems occur when you start using BB size and such, although I've hunted with lots of people who did it with old guns and never blew a barrel. I tried to stay as far away from them as the blind or boat would allow. As far as "any" double needing Bismuth (at $3 or $4 a shot), clearly that isn't the case. For example, www.rblshotgun.com/rbl12.htm plainly states that steel is okay. "The CZ-USA shotguns with barrels configuration made as double barrelled ... These shotguns can be shot with shells containing lead and also steel pellets. ... http://www.czub.cz/zbrojovka/cz-manu...hotguns_en.pdf " The Marlin made L.C. Smith O/U are not guaranteed for steel shot if you shoot chokes tighter than Modified. And so on. Barrel scoring doesn't seem to be nearly the problem it was before they improved the plastic wad cups years ago. John

August 1, 2009, 11:50 PM	#5
TurkeyHunter4ever Member Join Date: July 29, 2009 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 50	I started using my sporting clays gun in the field a couple seasons ago. Even with the longer barrels I am far more comfortable with it than others I have. It is a Winchester Select Energy Sporting O/U with 32" barrels. About 2 1/2 years old now. It is essentially a Browning, built in the Belgian FN plant. I dearly love it! I will be using IC chokes. __________________ The purpose of fighting is to Win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more Important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The Final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental. (Author unknown)