Steel shot???

J

jay anthony

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Hey everyone.
First off every time I take my shotgun out I relies I know even less about it
than I thought, but no big deal im glad to learn.

Today I got a few big pieces of cardboard and stapled a sheet of printer paper in the center of each I was shooting both 00 buck and #2 bird at about 25 yards.
Learnt a lot about my gun and that I like #2 bird and I don’t like those 00 buck.

Went to an outdoor store to buy more #2 bird and I cant find any in lead.
The guy told me they only allow steel for bird.
Im looking for shot for small game like rabbit and I don’t like the idea of steel:
I don’t know if my gun will take it and im worried about it bouncing back.

I have a Mossberg 500 about 7 years old with the 18.5 inch barrel.

Just after any thoughts on this and would sure like to know if they still sell lead birdshot in 2/34 12 ga shells.
Thanks.
 
Yep they still sell lead shot, you just cannot use it for migratory bird hunting. I grouse hunt with #4 winchester heavy game loads, which is lead. It will be marked "steel" or whatever material it is on the shell, lead shells wont be marked "lead"

I also have a mossberg, 535, its not as old as yours is but id say 5 years old anyways... Its good to go for steel, you just cannot shoot steel out a of a designated turkey choke that says "lead only"
 
Most places still sell lead shotshells. Canadian Tire and Wal-mart often have a selection of lead heavy field loads. #2s are getting harder to find but #4s are normally a stock item (and plenty big enough for rabbits). Cabelas and Wholesale Sports often stock the larger shot sizes up to and including BBs.
 
Hey thanks I don’t want to damage my gun or my self and the guy at the gun shop wouldn’t tell me if my gun was good for steel or not.
I will be keeping my eyes open for #2 lead. I will try some 4 just to see so far I like the pattern of 2 though.
 
You can shoot steel shot through anything but an extra full choke. Lead will warp a bit as it compresses through an ultra full, steel won't, and can increase pressure in the barrel.
 
Even if your gun shoots steel we don't have to tell you to chose lead over steel if you can! For a while when I had more cash than brains I was using steel BB for everything. Don't ask me why but in a lot of places around here you can shoot almost any kind of game in the same day within a kilometer. I just figured it was easier to fill my vest with only one kind of shells and pay a little extra. Stupid. I now use lead #4 for everything but migratory. You should be able to use lead anywhere in Canada for any game but migratory so I'd maybe check with someone who knows more about the topic. If the guy couldn't tell you if your gun was okay to shoot steel he probably isn't the most reliable source. Lastly, my local big wholesale sports doesn't have the greatest selection of lead due to more people needing steel for waterfowl/more people reloading lead etc. and the staff are less educated. If I want some real advice or a better selection of the "less popular stuff" I go down to our local much smaller privately owned shop..maybe something for you to try!
Cheers
 
For small game like rabbits #2 and #4 are overkill. Trap load works fine. #7.5 or #8 target loads will suit your needs just fine. I use #6 for pheasant #4 for fox. But have killed all the above with #8 target load. You don't need magnum field loads for small game

Your barrel is 18.5" so its most likely a fixed cylinder choke. You can shoot steel thru it no problem. Smaller shot will fill in the holes in your patterns as well

Just so you know as the # value increases the shot size decreases. #2 is a lot bigger then # 8.

If you weren't impressed with 00buck try #4buck. Its smaller but there's plenty more pellets and is still quite lethal on close range deer
 
A couple points of note. First is that steel will pattern much tighter than lead, so you'll want to re-pattern if you can. Back of envelope, use one choke tighter for lead, e.g. IC for steel, modified for lead.

Second as mentioned you do not need #2 lead to kill small game. Lead is heavier than steel and travels farther with more energy to kill. Smaller shot size will also improve your pattern since there is more shot inside each shell.

Depending on the toughness of the game and range you are shooting, you're probably best with something between #8 to #4 lead shot. Split down the middle, #6 lead will kill just about any small game.

Just don't have any lead shells on you at all if you find yourself waterfowl hunting.
 
#2 for rabbit? Actually it might be alright because you won't eat as many pellets. I love a 20ga with #4s. doesn't shoot them all up, but also shots through a little brush. cheers...
 
Thanks for all the replies
Next time im at the range Im for sure going to try #4 and #4 buck.
Anyone have any particular brands they like?
 
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