Community
Turkey Hunting Whether it's spring or fall doesn't matter to this bunch. Great tips on calling, bustin flocks, using blinds and more.

do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

Thread Tools
 
Old 03-25-2004 | 08:40 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Typical Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Default do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

i bought a super full choke and it says on the package lead shot only, I have a remington 870 and was going to use #4 steel shot that i use for waterfowl, i guess i have to go buy some lead shot, what do you recommend
portable ladder is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 10:28 AM
  #2  
Aught Six's Avatar
Boone & Crockett
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,220
Likes: 0
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

I stick with copper-plated lead (Winchester Double-X Magnum 2¾" 1-5/8 oz. #4 shot). I'm pretty pleased with my old Wingmaster and the M.A.D. Max .665 choke I got for it.
Aught Six is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 11:27 AM
  #3  
Thread Starter
Typical Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

thanks for the response
portable ladder is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 11:37 AM
  #4  
Typical Buck
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Cologne, MN
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

I use the Winchester shells too and have had really good results with them.
ironranger is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 11:56 AM
  #5  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 0
From: Shakopee MN USA
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

All depends on where you hunt in reference to whether it's legal or not. Because I believe(someone can clear this up if I'm wrong) that here in MN, if your hunting on WMA's(Wildlife Management areas) you have to use steel shot. I believe that's the rule. Atleast it is for pheasant hunting. I don't know why it would be any different for turkey hunting.
Stump_MN_Hunter is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 11:59 AM
  #6  
Thread Starter
Typical Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

what would happen if you shot steel through a lead shot only choke, could it really cause that much damage? i'm not trying it, i don't want things to get ugly, but is there really that much difference?
portable ladder is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 12:36 PM
  #7  
Strut&Rut's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 0
From: SW Michigan
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

Haven't tried, but I'm guessing mucho damage. Lead will compress and distort when it's forced through the choke, hence it compacts the shot which increases (a) velocity, (b) density, and (c) momentum (or knock-down power).

If the shot can't compress---such as steel---and the choke is made of steel which is less dense than the shot...

Well, I'm a biologist and not a mechanical engineer, but I'm guessing you could mushroom the entire end of the barrel...
Strut&Rut is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 12:39 PM
  #8  
Fork Horn
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

i'm not sure what it would do, but i think strut&Rut hit the nail on the head pretty close...
pointerDixie214 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 12:50 PM
  #9  
tnichols's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Ripley TN USA
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

Why would you want to shoot steel. It is worthless since hevi-shot was introduced. Hevi-shot is harder than steel and denser than lead and patterns tight!!! which is great for turkeys.
tnichols is offline  
Reply
Old 03-25-2004 | 02:18 PM
  #10  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: do you shoot steel or lead for turkeys

I would caution AGAINST using steel. If you are hunting where non-toxic shot is required, I'd use HeviShot or bismuth or tungsten, but not steel. Steel doesn't have the mass (weight) per pellet and hence lacks (per pellet) penetration power. I'm not saying steel shot "bounces off" turkeys like bullets do off Superman, but I'd think using steel would increase the risk of a wounded, not dead, bird, especially at longer distances.

BUT, most "lead only" chokes DON'T WORK with the other non-toxics, (HeviShot, bismuth, tungsten) either. (BUT/AND shooting an improved cylinder or a modified choke will usually give you a tighter pattern with non-toxics, equivalent to a lead full, anyway.)
snowdog2 is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.