Question on steel shot
 

I have a few questions concerning steel shot. I would not shoot it in my Parkers, but I have a 20 gauge RbL that I can use.
I have an opportunity to join a quail hunt but the requirement is to use Non lead shot.
I would like opinions on using steel shot. What size shot? Would I be better off going with bismuth or something else?
Anyone have some for sale or know where I can buy a few boxes?
Thanks Phil

Quite pricey but I’d consider a couple boxes of these . https://www.rstshells.com/out-of-sto...-load-box.aspx

I thought I’d found you some RST’s loaded with Nice Shot at $85 a box but they’re oughtta stock . Believe I’d look around for some Bismuth 7 , 7 1/2 or 8 .

Thank you Craig.

Bismuth 7 , 7 1/2 or 8 .

It's a modern gun, with modern barrels, and not 'old' wood Phil.
Assuming it has choke tubes you'll be fine with this, which can actually be found :(
https://www.ableammo.com/catalog/win...-p-104865.html

Options
 

Here’s an option for bismuth, these are in stock https://bossshotshells.com/products/...mag-shotshells. These work very well but are expensive.

I would choose 7 or 6 (probably 6 for Gambels). I’ve had mixed success with steel shot in 20ga for quail. In my experience, an ounce steel works well but that’s a 12 ga load. Now days I use an RBL “Fox” in 12ga for this purpose.

PS, I mean no disrespect to anyone or to the great 20ga or to steel shot!

Best,
Brett

I have shot some Kent 16ga bismuth out of my Foxes; when I bought it I thought it was expensive, but now I'm glad I bought it when I did :eek:! It's a little stiffer than I like to shoot in 'em but for the few shots I actually get in the non-tox areas I figure I'm OK. From what I've read about bismuth 6's would be more like a 7 in lead.

https://i.imgur.com/YNCx7fel.jpg

If you're shooting steel you'll need to go up 1-2 shot sizes over what you'd usually shoot. Preferably 2 sizes. If you normally use 7 1/2 lead, bump to 5 steel for the same downrange energy. I hate steel but it is what it is.

Phil, a few years ago, before I lost my Labrador, I was using Kent Upland Bismuth for wood ducks , blacks and mallards in the creeks and swamps of the Poconos here in Pennsylvania. It worked fine on them , and a couple pheasants I tried them out on . They’re sold in 25 round boxes so they were more cost effective than “waterfowl loads””. I used # 5 and #6 shot, 12 gauge 2 3/4 shells. I bought them at my local Cabelas. I checked a few minutes ago and they list the same shells in 20 gauge 2 3/4 , for 46.99 for a 25 round box , online.
Take care
Tim

I shoot an RBL 20 for ducks. I use 3” bismouth. I think the RBL can handle anything you feed it.

It is important to recognize that 20g Bismuth and Tungsten waterfowl and turkey loads are boomers; those listed here are 3" 1 oz. or more and at > 1300 fps
https://rogerssportinggoods.com/bis....lyRMvSB39r6tsi

Epic Ammo has a 2 3/4" load with 3/4 oz. Bismuth at 1350 fps
https://epicshotshell.com/20-ga-2-3-...agnum-bismuth/

Apex Ammo Tungsten Upland is 3" at 1500 fps
https://apexmunition.com/shop/upland...s/upland-bird/

As David said, probably not an issue with a RBL and No. 7s in a target load should be fine for quail with the right choke over dogs.

Thank you guys for all of the feedback.
Thanks to one of our generous members I am good to go. Quail season is open until February.
I am hoping to squeeze in as much quail
Hunting as possible between now and then.

Phil, Just in case you run out of bismuth, you can shoot steel through open choked barrels with no damage. If you have less than .020" constriction there is enough compression in the steel loads to pass through the choke without stressing the barrels. That said,the bismuth or tungsten matrix loads are much more efficient and hard hitting. I have shot steel through and older VH choked .005" and .015" with no problem.That is also very close to the chokes on the repro steel shot specials.

Thank you John for this information.

Modern steel shot loads are WAY superior to the steel offerings of 30 years ago. That said, stay away from the "cheap" steel loads (Promotional 'field' loads at $12-14 a box) and spring for the premium steel loads. For example, Remington Nitro-Steel, Kent Fasteel,etc. Should be $30-50 a box. For small ducks, shot size 4-5; for large ducks 2-4.

I'd shoot steel all day in an RBL.

Also, look at Boss Ammo. Boss uses copper-plated Bismuth, and the stuff works great! They load everything from .410 to 12ga in all sorts of configurations. I've used Boss for ducks in 12ga and 16ga, and they pattern wonderfully. I believe Boss has dove/quail-type loads with 71/2 shot size.