Shot Size

[fishinalot]

Hello

Years ago I used to reload my own shells with lead shot #5 and with a full choke it was an awesome duck load. Now with the steel shot, I'm a bit confused with the best load to use along with the right choke. I've been using a Modified choke with 1 1/8 oz load of #4 shot and seems to be blowing up the ducks even at 30 yds out. Is there a better formula (Load/Choke) to use to prevent this? Or am I just to darn accurate with my gunning (ha ha)

Thanks in advance!

[FarByondDrivn]

Definitely like the Modified Choke for shooting the steel. I'd say if you're blowing ducks up, that's a good thing (ha ha). I shoot mostly #2 shot and have found it works well. With #4 you have alot more pellets in the pattern (hard on the teeth when eating). Maybe if you upsized the shot or lead the birds a little more but I'd say you have a good problem.

[fishinalot]

Does steel have a tighter pattern with Modified when shooting steel? I've heard that the Improved has a tighter pattern. I should shoot a few cardboard boxes to find out. The only problem when I used #2 shot in the past was a few huge holes thru the birds. Maybe changing the choke to Improved will help out the #4's.

[HNTNBUX]

I use an improved cylinder with 3" #4 steel for ducks and it takes them down very well. I usually shoot decoying ducks or close passing shots. Inside 30-35 yards, which is about all I can hit, this combo is very effective.

[tearin' lips]

Modified and duck commander full choke for me, depending on the day. I shot full on saturday, because we had some longer shots up to 35 yards, and modified sunday with our shots around 15 yards. #2 3" federal speed shock is my best patterning load.

[FarByondDrivn]

Modified, unless written on the tube that it is for steel, is the equivelant of a full choke when firing steel.