Lets talk about HEVI SHOT and HEAVY STEEL

[StillLearnin]

I heard alot about these new shot shells and have finally talked myself into spending the money. This will be my first year to actively pursue ducks and geese. I've always shot steel #2 for ducks and BB for geese but don't know what shot size to purchase with these new loads.

I would like a shot size that I can use for both ducks and geese. What do you all shoot?

Also is the HEAVY STEEL worth the money or should I try and stick to HEAVY SHOT, i mean they are both about the same price but one has 25 to a box and has 10.

I am open for suggestions.

[clayman]

Re: Lets talk about HEVI SHOT and HEAVY STEEL

As with everything when you ask a question about shotguns, the answer is alwas the same..."It depends".

From the unscientific research I've done by reading a few articles...Heavy-Shot is still a superior load to Heavi-Steel ballistically speaking.

As you noted Heavi-Steel is less expensive. If you miss a certain percentage of your shots, which is going to cost you more per dead bird?

Remember, no matter how fabulous the ammo, there are no "magic bullets" that will compensate for poor marksmanship.

As far as shot sizes...If you are decoying geese, Heavi-Steel in B or 2 shot should be your load. For ducks, I'd go with #2 or #4, although I have even seen some anecdotal stories of guys that have made very clean kills on decoying ducks with the #6 Heavi-Steel.

Good Luck!

[Bow Hunter Derek]

Re: Lets talk about HEVI SHOT and HEAVY STEEL

I have hunted with Hevi Shot almost exclusively the past few years. I still use some steel on early season ducks like woodies and local mallards, but Hevi Shot has been my choice on geese and northern ducks with thick layers of down. I have found that 3" or 3.5" shells in #2 shot seem to be an all around good load when hunting where shots at ducks and geese may occure in the same hunt. If I'm going after just ducks, I usually opt for a #6 or #4 shot. They are just plain deadly. Cripples are pretty much a thing of the past assuming that I do my part when squeezing the trigger.

In early goose season this year, I tried the Hevi Steel in a 3" #2. I was very impressed with the load. Granted, they are local birds with little down to penetrate, but I noticed birds dropped stone cold dead. I had a couple cripples that the dog had to chase down, but those were more due to my bad shooting than poor shot performance. I never lost a bird this year. That is more than I can say for a couple of my buddies using steel loads.

I will be doing some duck and goose hunting over on Lake Erie in December and Hevi Shot #2's will be in my gun.

[StillLearnin]

Re: Lets talk about HEVI SHOT and HEAVY STEEL

I think I have decided to shoot #2 hevi shot this year for geese since our limit is 3 here in Oklahoma so one or two boxes ought to last me the year.

As for duck I'll stick with steel shot for now.

Win. xpert #2 @ 1550 fps

[double_drop]

Re: Lets talk about HEVI SHOT and HEAVY STEEL

I bought 3 boxes of 3 inch heavy steel this spring for snow geese just to try them. It was 1 shot. Worked very well and good range as well.