Steel shot

[steve@offroadin]

Anyone use it?

I have been asked by a farmer to thin out the canada geese on his farm so need to use steel. I usually shoot 30g #6, what load should I go for, been told to go up on weight and down on size(?) so was thinking 32g #4

[freelanderPX54]

No 4 should be ok for geese. Be prepared for the heavier load. If you are planning on doing a lot of shooting you will know about it the day after :)

Oh and if you need a lift give me a shout

Cheers
John

[goldypurple]

hi i do alot of geese and duck shooting i use 4 for duck and i use 2 for geese down to you really. you will probably find bigger shot will wound birds so lower shot for clean kills.

[Dave-H]

Can you not snipe them with a rifle - much cheaper!.

And make your your shotgun is proofed for steel. Normal proofed one's are fine if lightly choked only, but not ideal for prolonged use.

[steve@offroadin]

only got a air rifles, so best not.

Shotty is a new one with hardened chrome coated barrels which is good for steel. Will take the chokes out though

[goldypurple]

half choke is fine for steel anymore than that then damage may occur.

[Auto Culto]

i use 3's in steel as they pattern well (for goose size targets) in my gun. Your really dont want to be using anything smaller as it will just cause more damage over the bird instead of a few holes. If i could i would be using 2's but my gun just dont like them.
I've used my rifles on geese. The 17HMR just doesn't cut the mustard unless you blow there nappers off as their down just causes the bullet to splash on impact and not penetrate.
I've take 3 or 4 with the .223 but only had one that was worth eating and that was only half the bird as it just smashed them in a big way.
So if your shooting for the table i would recommend you use size 2 or 3. If you just want to hit them hard and not eat them then let me know and i,ll bring the rifles and we can have some fun shooting them at 300 yards if the grounds ok ;) i also have some very good Canada decoys that work a treat.