inhuntr

I am looking into other possibilities rather than steel next year. I like Kents Tungsten Matrix load but I have heard that the fasteel primer is sealed to be waterproof. If the fasteel is not sealed than would the tungsten matrix not be seales either? Do you know anyone who has had a bad experience with kent fasteel or tungsten. The other option I am looking to go into is bismuth.

SwampTHING

Kent Fasteel, many many people are agreeing its the best steel waterfowl load on the market. All I use are 3" rounds at 1560 fps,, theyll kill anything that is within a reasonable range.. I like everything right over the decoys.

Have had a couple duds with them in about 8 or so cases(80+boxes of 25).. They may have gotten wet on a previous outing,, unsure. Not enough reason for me too stop using them though.

SwampCollie

The only bad experience I have had with Kent TM is that they quit making it back in October. Chinese have jacked the price of raw tungsten up so high that Kent TM would have cost almost $50 a box for 10 shells. Too bad too...that stuff was awesome. I squirrelled away a bunch for my old guns, since TM is soft and safe to shoot out of older barrels.

Bismuth....is apparently getting sorta spoty as of late. Heard from another hunter that they are switching a bunch of stuff up, which is making patterns very different of course. Also had one 20ga shell with 1 1/4oz and another with 7/8oz out of the same box.....both were marked 1oz loads.....who knows?

I shoot Hevi-shot as my first shell...and back it up with two Hevi-steel. Works about as good as anything for me. I don't mind spending money...but I can't afford $2.50 a shell. So a box of hevi-shot (in theory) lasts me ten ducks (assuming I do my part). And the hevi-steel is there for cripples, or doubles or whatever, since its pretty cheap.

superstrutter

Not trying to be too critical, but, why go away from steel? If you can't kill a duck with steel shot you are either taking too long shots or you just can't shoot. You will save a heck of a lot of money by staying with steel also. I'm not saying you can't shoot steel, but if you have a problem and you don't already use one, go with an improved cyl. barrel. It will improve your kill ratio. If you kill plenty of ducks with steel and just want to experiment with somrthing else, then disregard what I have said and good luck.

fantail

I'm gonna agree with superstrutter here and say that about 9 years ago my wife bought me a case of kent TM because that's all I talked about I guess. I always thought that if I had some of that I could kill ducks efficiently and turns out I could. I was sold until I started using hi velocity steel. I then realized I could kill just as good with it so I pawned the rest of my kent TM and haven't looked back since.

MinnFinn

I've switch to going almost exclusively for all but early duck season to Federal Premium Ultra-Shok High Velocity Steel Shotshells BB's 3" and 3 1/2" depending upon which shotgun I'm hunting with. I also use equivalent loads from Winchester. The high speed steel they have now 1500-1560 ft/sec. in BB really has what it takes to knock both Malls and Geese down within 50 yards. I find a shell that works and stick with it. Others have success with other types of shot, speed, etc. That's fine, too. I find that if I don't try to switch back and forth between what someone says is the ammunition to use too often, that I get used to the speed and distance a brand, type, speed will shoot well.

CanadaSlammer69

kent fast steel is the best steel load there is for the price. period. awesome knock down power and never had any problems with water getting in

dkhunter8383

Gotta agree with canadaslammer i would say it is as good as the tungsten matrix loads if not better because of the cheaper price

mnhunter_32

i had good luck with federals tungsten iron in #5 every duck hit was dead on impact. i don't think they make it any more though. the local gander mtn store had some in a warehouse or something

fechmupbud

My buddy has shown me the light and I'm going to buy a case of Fast Steel 3 1/2" #1's for next year (the 1550ish f.p.s.). Thell consistently roll ducks, brant, geese all year long with the same loads. Just as the other guys said, I've never heard a negative about them.