28 December 2008, 18:23
perrysteel shot in good shotguns
Is steel and/or it's equivalent harmful to be shot in a Winchester side by side? Chokes are full/full.
Perry
28 December 2008, 18:34
Kamo GariI'm assuming it's an old gun. If so, I'd not shoot anything but bismuth or hevi-shot through it until I could get a definitive answer. Said shot ain't cheap, but I'd hate to ruin a fine old double by shooting modern steel loads through it.
28 December 2008, 19:03
perryThanks Kamo. Are bismuth and Hevi shot lethal??? I guess that question is relative but in years past I have always heard that steel is not nearly as lethal as lead. Where do these fall in comparison. I have not hunted ducks since lead was banned so I am kinda new to the game so to speak. My shotgun is a model 21, 20 gauge with 3" chambers. Thanks for any info you can give. Cost is not really a concern as my shooting will be limited to a dozen shots or so a day.
Perry
28 December 2008, 20:36
drewhenrytntPerry,
Bismuth is very close to lead in performance! Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles(HCD) is the ultimate in lethality! Make sure you get the classic doubles as it is a different formulation than regular Hevi-Shot. It has buffers in its composition along with a different wad and a load buffer. With HCD you WILL NOT NEED shot larger than 7.5 or 6 for ducks over decoys. I use #6 in a 16ga for pass shooting geese and over decoys it hammers the snot out of them. Midway has both. I prefer HS. Bismuth is softer if you are super concerned about your double.
Happy Hunting!!
Andy B
30 December 2008, 15:07
Kamo Gariquote:
Originally posted by perry:
Thanks Kamo. Are bismuth and Hevi shot lethal??? Perry
Hiya Perry,
You will not be disappointed in the lethality of either I assure you. You must hit the birds with it, however.

When you've got a few down, post up some pics, will you?
Cheers,
KG
08 January 2009, 22:53
cgbachI have been shooting bismuth and tungsten polymer in my M21 12 ga. for several years. Either will kill ducks and geese about as well as lead. I will never go back to steel.
C.G.B.