Steel shot and rabbit

Red_Eagle · November 10, 2010, 09:10 PM

Planning on rabbit hunting in New mexico. They have a non-toxic shot requirement on public land.
So if I nornally use #6 lead out of an IC choke, what size would I use with steel? Some thing like #4 steel and the IC would throw a modified size pattern?
Any recommended ammo? I see some winchester at walmart. I think it was... Dry-loc?

Loader9 · November 10, 2010, 09:23 PM

Remington Express with steel shot in #4 works great out of an 870. We limit shots to 25 yds as we can't afford to lose one- we hunt airports with this and you can't afford to have one crawl off. Buzzards, dogs, coyotes can do incredible damage to a plane when landing or taking off.

Red_Eagle · November 10, 2010, 09:28 PM

Ok, cool. Walmart had the #6. What is that? A dove load?

publius · November 10, 2010, 10:39 PM

#4 or 6 steel will work fine for rabbits, they aren't hard to kill. I assume we're talking cottontails.

Red_Eagle · November 10, 2010, 10:45 PM

Yep, Desert cotton tails. I wish they'd let us use lead. I guess this how the water fowlers feel.

mete · November 11, 2010, 03:30 AM

Always pattern your loads , don't guess !! You may be surprised at some of the patterns !

James H · November 11, 2010, 04:27 AM

Ya...I was always taught to go up two shot sizes when using steel vs. lead (#6 lead = #4 steel) and use an IC choke with the steel like you would use modified with lead.

November 10, 2010, 09:10 PM	#1
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	Steel shot and rabbit Planning on rabbit hunting in New mexico. They have a non-toxic shot requirement on public land. So if I nornally use #6 lead out of an IC choke, what size would I use with steel? Some thing like #4 steel and the IC would throw a modified size pattern? Any recommended ammo? I see some winchester at walmart. I think it was... Dry-loc? __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

November 10, 2010, 09:28 PM	#3
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	Ok, cool. Walmart had the #6. What is that? A dove load? __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

November 10, 2010, 10:45 PM	#5
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	Yep, Desert cotton tails. I wish they'd let us use lead. I guess this how the water fowlers feel. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

November 10, 2010, 09:23 PM	#2
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	Remington Express with steel shot in #4 works great out of an 870. We limit shots to 25 yds as we can't afford to lose one- we hunt airports with this and you can't afford to have one crawl off. Buzzards, dogs, coyotes can do incredible damage to a plane when landing or taking off.

November 10, 2010, 10:39 PM	#4
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	#4 or 6 steel will work fine for rabbits, they aren't hard to kill. I assume we're talking cottontails. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

November 11, 2010, 03:30 AM	#6
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Always pattern your loads , don't guess !! You may be surprised at some of the patterns ! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

November 11, 2010, 04:27 AM	#7
James H Junior member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: The high plains of Wyoming Posts: 164	Ya...I was always taught to go up two shot sizes when using steel vs. lead (#6 lead = #4 steel) and use an IC choke with the steel like you would use modified with lead.