Steel for Pheasants?

[Gary O]

For years I have used size 6 lead shot at 1200 fps to great effect on pheasants. But now here in Kalifornia we are ordered to switch over to non-toxic shot for all game birds except on private "game farms". What do you folks suggest? Thanks...

[pennstater]

I'm using Rio #4 steel, 2.75" @ 1400fps. Works fine on our Ca. Pheasant.
Also use Fed "Speed-Shok" #4 steel, 2.75" @ 1374 fps. Both are 1.125oz shot.

[Gary O]

Which choke are you using? The manufacture suggests using anything except a full...

[pennstater]

Gary,
Usually Mod, but, have gone with I/C a time or two. Mostly Mod tho.
Sure is a ***** going from lead to steel, ain't it?

[ysr_racer]

Is the some conversion chart that says if you use X lead, you should use Y steel?

Is it two numbers smaller?

[Gary O]

Is the some conversion chart that says if you use X lead, you should use Y steel?

Is it two numbers smaller?

Conversion chart?

[pennstater]

Not really sure either. Brad, can you tell us about that?
Brad, you ever shoot at Prado Shooting Park?

[bewguns]

A good rule to follow is that if you were shooting #6 lead you'd go to #4 steel (go two shot sizes larger to get similar terminal performance).

[JagerDog]

#3 in steel on wild birds.

[Thefeeder]

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Last year I used Kent 1 1/16oz #4 steel @ 1550fps with a Skeet and IC chokes. Worked very well

[wweigle]

#2 steel for wild birds. Basically the same loads I successfully used on Ducks for year.

[Ahansom]

At his last couple Jr. hunts my son used my O/U .410 with #7 steel. I would of liked #5's but #7 was the largest they would allow in the field.

If anyone has kids that like hunting, check on the DFG web-page for special hunts. the hunts that fish and game put on are awesome and free to the Jr.s and parents. Most of the ones we have been to have lots education and activity's besides the actual hunt.

This video shows a hunt in Santa Barbara and activities the kids get to do. My kid is at 5:30 and 5:50 if you want to see how hard a little .410 can hit a bird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkfYe1z5IKc

[bigbossman]

A good rule to follow is that if you were shooting #6 lead you'd go to #4 steel (go two shot sizes larger to get similar terminal performance).

Yeah, and drop down a choke if possible. Club birds die easy, so #6 or #7 will kill them quick, especially with a dog holing them close. They are going to flush at your feet, so you'll get the whole pattern on them. Wild birds are a different story - much tougher to kill. #4 would be a good bet, or larger.

[ysr_racer]

Brad, you ever shoot at Prado Shooting Park?

Not really, I'm more of a sporting clays shooter so I'm right down the street at Raahauge's.

We're there every Friday if you'd like to join us.

[Novak77]

I shoot 2-3/4" #5 Hevi Teal out of my 12 and my wife shoots 3" #4 Kent Fast Steel out of her 20. We're both shooting IC.