Lead Shot Ducks Example
#23
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
I, as well as many here, remember the great gone lead days. When we could fire either our own reloads with lead 4's or 5's and crush greenheads like hammers hit them, not to watch them sail off to not be found again. When we saw feathers fill the air, there was a splash and the dog was out and back with a bird, not to see feathers in the air as is the bird flying off to parts and places that only the dog can see. I miss those days, and now have to contend with what to do. I shoot non-toxic to only the tune of Hevi-Metal in factory and ITX shot in my reloads. They are the closest that I have found to the good ol lead. I load ITX shot almost exclusively in my 20ga for ducks and geese. Love the stuff. I have clients laugh at me when I uncase my O/U and load the banannas into it lean it in the corner. I just tell them to not laugh too hard when I play clean up on their birds with it. If they get to see it, they just stand there with their mouths open. Time and pattern board work makes it work. Spend the time to match your choke to your loads and you will be OK.
#24
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Iowa
Posts: 470
Not that bad
My load back in the day was 1 5/8 oz of lead 6's in a 3" shell. Murder on ducks and pheasants. Hated steel for a long time, but there's no going back, boys. I usually laugh when hunters whine about steel because most haven't been around long enough to have used lead. BUT, some of you guys have used lead and know what you speak. I find steel today very effective when shooting a good load through a good choke tube. Last week I crushed two Canadas using Kent 3" 2's @ 1560 fps. Speed of your shot and pattern density kills birds. Bottom line is that steel isn't so bad if you know your load, pattern your gun, practice and only shoot when the birds are in range.
#30
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Allegan, MI
Posts: 8,019