I killed a pheasant today.....

[Smellydog]

...with steel...!!

I took just two Fiochhi 35gm #4 steel with a wretched plastic wad. First bird was a runner. Lost. Not happy but it folded up in the air.
Typical was my thought. Next bird was fast crosser and I crumpled it with the same cartridge. It didn't kill it in the air but was all but dead when I got to it.
These 35gm that arguably should not be fired in this gun definitely have more beans to them than standard steel.
I then went back to lead and shot four birds for four shots!
Admittedly not all the latter birds were stone dead to the lead.
Take from it what you want. I had a good shoot.
I will continue testing.

 

[David.evans]

Nothing wrong with that smelly

 

[Essexsussex]

Very nice morning out!

 

[Dunwaters]

Providing your gun is proofed for 70m cartridges and has not more than 1/2 choke it should be safe with steel loads

 

[Smellydog]

Providing your gun is proofed for 70m cartridges and has not more than 1/2 choke it should be safe with steel loads

3". 1/4&1/2.

 

[Dunwaters]

3". 1/4&1/2.

Should be fine.
Enjoy your experiment and Steer clear of the 3” steel loads.
Stay safe.

 

[sako751sg]

Cracking wee walk by the looks and fine bag.

 

[mudman]

35 gram are a beefy load for steel.

 

[Rasputin]

Iv shot plenty of ducks and geese with them this season was not impressed bet they thumped in that gun.

Always found that unlike water fowl pheasants have a propensity for dying quite easily with steel.

 

[Pedro]

Waterfowl in general are more hardy than pheasants and other game birds when it comes to getting shot. Which, of course is one of the reasons people wish lead was still available for waterfowl. (Other views are available). Sadly steel produces a higher level of injured (rather than killed outright) waterfowl. Sometimes, at longer ranges I've noticed you can actually hear the steel pellets bouncing off duck and geese. They then fly on, seemingly uninjured. Probably bruised I expect though.

Of course the answer is to use bigger, more powerful steel cartridges and modify the range you shoot at. Which you may argue lessens the sporting experience.

 

[Rasputin]

Waterfowl in general are more hardy than pheasants and other game birds when it comes to getting shot. Which, of course is one of the reasons people wish lead was still available for waterfowl. (Other views are available). Sadly steel produces a higher level of injured (rather than killed outright) waterfowl. Sometimes, at longer ranges I've noticed you can actually hear the steel pellets bouncing off duck and geese. They then fly on, seemingly uninjured. Probably bruised I expect though.

Of course the answer is to use bigger, more powerful steel cartridges and modify the range you shoot at. Which you may argue lessens the sporting experience.

Yep had that on a greylag sat night. Absolutely mullered it heard a thump and just watched it sail on even the dog went to look for it. Was failing light so assumed I had misjudged the distance but paced it out 27 paces so hardly miles away.

Bet it wouldn’t have sailed on with 36g of no5 lead but hey ho here we are. Got all my reloading stuff ready for next season now so will be using tss and that is just lethal if it hits a bird it drops it end of.

 

[HonestJohn]

I don’t believe it, you put the spent cartridge in the picture. Completely staged. Nice try fella, we all know steel can’t kill pheasants

 

[Pine Marten]

I've used nothing but steel cartridges for three seasons now, first standard power Jocker ones (27g of number 4), and since last year high power 3" ones with 36g of number 3. I can't tell any difference at all in lethality on pheasants, hares, woodcock, squirrels, pigeons and smaller duck (teal, wigeon) or either of those cartridges compared to lead. The Jockers were a bit underpowered on bigger ducks like mallard. Since moving up to the Eley ESP 3" ones, everything I hit properly is either dead or going absolutely nowhere. I can't see any reason why I'd go back to lead even if I could. In fact, I don't have any left either for game or stalking.

 

[Smellydog]

I've used nothing but steel cartridges for three seasons now, first standard power Jocker ones (27g of number 4), and since last year high power 3" ones with 36g of number 3. I can't tell any difference at all in lethality on pheasants, hares, woodcock, squirrels, pigeons and smaller duck (teal, wigeon) or either of those cartridges compared to lead. The Jockers were a bit underpowered on bigger ducks like mallard. Since moving up to the Eley ESP 3" ones, everything I hit properly is either dead or going absolutely nowhere. I can't see any reason why I'd go back to lead even if I could. In fact, I don't have any left either for game or stalking.

Very happy for you

 

[jall55]

I've used nothing but steel cartridges for three seasons now, first standard power Jocker ones (27g of number 4), and since last year high power 3" ones with 36g of number 3. I can't tell any difference at all in lethality on pheasants, hares, woodcock, squirrels, pigeons and smaller duck (teal, wigeon) or either of those cartridges compared to lead. The Jockers were a bit underpowered on bigger ducks like mallard. Since moving up to the Eley ESP 3" ones, everything I hit properly is either dead or going absolutely nowhere. I can't see any reason why I'd go back to lead even if I could. In fact, I don't have any left either for game or stalking.

I was exactly the same as SD - so against it - or just the idea of it - but having used it - i agree , no need to go back now for me

 

[Smellydog]

Just filleted the birds I shot last Saturday.
One cock was shot with #4 steel.
The pellets only made it halfway into the vitals.
Quite surprised because a #4 lead would of passed through!
Paradoxically a similar shot cock bird on the same day with a #6.5 lead cartridge the tiny, by comparison, pellets had made it to the far side of the bird and trapped under the birds skin!
This explains why I'm losing birds!
Sorry boys, steel shot is not the answer and in the interests of animals welfare can not recommend it.

 

[Rasputin]

Just filleted the birds I shot last Saturday.
One cock was shot with #4 steel.
The pellets only made it halfway into the vitals.
Quite surprised because a #4 lead would of passed through!
Paradoxically a similar shot cock bird on the same day with a #6.5 lead cartridge the tiny, by comparison, pellets had made it to the far side of the bird and trapped under the birds skin!
This explains why I'm losing birds!
Sorry boys, steel shot is not the answer and in the interests of animals welfare can not recommend it.

Have to agree but the hippies have sadly had there way. It’s also **** when you bite into it.

 

[jall55]

Just filleted the birds I shot last Saturday.
One cock was shot with #4 steel.
The pellets only made it halfway into the vitals.
Quite surprised because a #4 lead would of passed through!
Paradoxically a similar shot cock bird on the same day with a #6.5 lead cartridge the tiny, by comparison, pellets had made it to the far side of the bird and trapped under the birds skin!
This explains why I'm losing birds!
Sorry boys, steel shot is not the answer and in the interests of animals welfare can not recommend it.

Lead would have passed through the bird SD ?Thought the idea was to transfer energy from the shot to the bird to kill it
And thinking about it - i have found far less steel shot in the birds i have done - than with lead - i might do 20/30 a week

 

[Smellydog]

Lead would have passed through the bird SD ?Thought the idea was to transfer energy from the shot to the bird to kill it
And thinking about it - i have found far less steel shot in the birds i have done - than with lead - i might do 20/30 a week

I'm very glad for you. I hope you receive all you seek.
This notion of energy transfer being complete if a pellet comes to a complete stand still is often quoted, especially by air gun hunters and it's utter nonsense.
If it was true then only a 22 would be needed for deer!
Something that passes through not only can impart more shock but also aid heamoraging.

 

[jall55]

I'm very glad for you. I hope you receive all you seek.
This notion of energy transfer being complete if a pellet comes to a complete stand still is often quoted, especially by air gun hunters and it's utter nonsense.
If it was true then only a 22 would be needed for deer!
Something that passes through not only can impart more shock but also aid heamoraging.

Agree to disagree SD - seen plenty of deer and fox pencilled and never recovered - much rather have energy dumped

Interestingly im not looking for anything at all SD - as said before i have no dog in he fight with steel or lead