Steel Shot and Chokes

[jednastka]

I am sure this has been discussed before; Ijust cannot seem to find it.

I gave up migratory hunting when steel shot became mandatory since I did not have a 12 gauge capable of safely handling steel.

I now have a new 12 gauge - 3 inch chamber Browning BPS with interchangeable chokes that can handle steel shot. I want to start hunting migratory again. Please complete the following sentence for me.

Since I used to hunt ducks/geese with a full choke 2 3/4" 12 gauge shotgun and use hi-brass lead 4 shot for ducks and hi-brass lead 2 shot for geese, now with steel shot:

I would use the ? choke with steel ?? shot for ducks

and ??? choke with ???? shot for geese.

Thanks in advance;

Vic

[schleprock]

Use the modified choke for both.

[schleprock]

I like to try and hit my birds in the head and neck so number 4 shot is what I generally use. It sure is nice cleaning birds with no damage to the breasts.

[tikka250]

in the browning invector plus chokes you go up one size when using steel so lead mod is steel full. i believe they say right on them but i could be wrong.
steel 4's and steel 2's work great for ducks i have been liking steel 3's for ducks but thats splitting hairs and all will kill them at reasonable distances.

[Newellknik]

I have a few steel compatible guns , I have shot them at 30 yds
With both mod. And full choke . They all perform different .
For instance a new Remington versa max semi with FC is like
A slug gun at 30 yds ....
All three guns performed well with mod. Steel .
One I use Imp C in , for ducks ....killer .

Your just guessing if you don't pattern the gun .
A sheet of 1/2 " drywall works well for patterning
Cut it in half 4x4 ....when your done dispose of in
Proper garbage .

[Dean2]

Most gun makers recommend no more than modified when shooting steel or nickel plated lead. Steel does not compress so an IM or Full choke creates excess pressure and may damage your barrel. Most guns pattern best with an IC or Skeet 1 or 2 choke. Only way to know for sure is to pattern them with the choke and the specific ammo, shot size.

The recommendation to "go up one" with steel is in shot size. If you used to shoot 2s, go to BBB, if you shot 6 lead for ducks go to 5 steel.

Upland you still use lead so the old ways still apply.

[Benelli1]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Most gun makers recommend no more than modified when shooting steel or nickel plated lead. Steel does not compress so an IM or Full choke creates excess pressure and may damage your barrel. Most guns pattern best with an IC or Skeet 1 or 2 choke. Only way to know for sure is to pattern them with the choke and the specific ammo, shot size.

The recommendation to "go up one" with steel is in shot size. If you used to shoot 2s, go to BBB, if you shot 6 lead for ducks go to 5 steel.

Upland you still use lead so the old ways still apply.

BBB is pretty course shot, I would go from #2 lead to #1 or BB in steel.

[BenC68]

i use an improved cylinder on all my guns, and for ducks its #2 and geese is BB or BBB. all in 3 inch of 3 1/2

[brooktr]

I always shoot 3" 2's on a duck hunt or BB's on a goose hunt through a modified choke and that's seemed to work well for me, the 2's I shoot are a little less costly than the Kent fasteel BB's or I would only shoot those

[dinohunter]

i have browning maxus,i use mod choke+ no1 or no 2 shot size for ducks,geese.pattern your shot gun first.

[elkhunter11]

I have settled on a Briley LM choke with Kent Fasteel loads for waterfowl. The M choke produces slightly tighter patterns, but they aren't as uniform.

[madball]

I use modified chokes pretty much 100% of the time and I use a 3" #3 pretty much all the time too (geese and ducks)