Well, I am also relatively new to the sport of duck hunting seriously. But I was doing a quick test this weekend. I shot #2 3" Remington Steel and shot it 40 yards at piece of plywood with corkboard on top. It was still inbedded in the corkboard. I then shot #5 lead 2 3/4" squirrel shot at the same target and I can't believe it outpenetrated and went thru the ply. I did the same with Heavyshot (only one shot-too expensive), and it also penetrated.

Reason I did this was I had to sometimes put a second shot in the ducks we shot with steel at 35 yards and usually emptied my gun to get the bird down anyway. And while cleaning, the penetration was very poor.

I still can't believe it.