I know a few of you have mentioned having to use steel shot on public land. We don't here in Maine. (Not for crows anyway)
Last week I was on my favorite "Wood duck honey hole" when several crows flew past harrassing an owl. I called to them with my voice and a few turned back. For Woodies at that close of a range I keep my gun loaded with 2 and 3/4" Winchesters with #7 steel shot.
The first crow caught a load at about 20 yds, the 2nd crow was double that distance but still dropped cleanly. I was surprised to see the stell work as well as lead at 40 yds. I realise that it might have been a lucky shot with a pellets to the head.
When NH mandated steel shot for waterfowling starting in 1989 I warmed up with it by shooting crows ahead the waterfowl season with 20ga 3" 1 ounce steel #4. I saw no difference in performance on crows vs. lead shot. Ducks and Geese on the other hand I saw a big difference, steel was far less effective regardless of payload weight and shot size. Crows are not as tough as waterfowl.
I agree with NHCROW to a certain extent. When steel first came out it sucked horribly. No punch and no power. They started developing it though in the mid 90's. It became respectable. Now the stuff is awesome. My problem is of course the speed. I had to adjust from 1200 FPS to 1375 FPS and hated it. I quit hunting some of the spots for that reason. Price wise lately I have bought lite load steel cheaper than lead. I found some winchester 7's in 1200 FPS and look forward to shooting them. I only have a few spots that require steel but they are loaded with birds usualy. I bought 8 boxes of winchester 7's 1200 fps at a walmart up north when I was on a travel baseball tourny with my son. I got home and was putting the boxes away and the first one I picked up rattled. Come to find out, the top 5 shells were gone in each box I bought. I got screwed out of 40 shots, don't know if it was a factory mistake or an Obama dependant that didn't get his check on time
Steel is ok. I have shot a decent amount of crows with it. The only thing I have noticed is that I get more hoppers with the smaller sized shot. Im sure everyone would agree that lead is ALWAYS a better choice when the law allows it.
Saul, a couple big box retail stores around these parts sells Xpert steel target loads (in #6 and #7) for around $6 per box. I have also shot these cheaper steel target loads with success at crows:
I think it's cause that steel cuts thru instead of smashes. I have shot some crows with duck loads. It just smashes em cold. I have some 3 inch 2's and 4's lead to try on em this year....
We have a couple public land places around that require steel for doves, so far that is it. Their is a couple places that sell #8 and #9 in steel but the cheapest I have found is $12 a box. If I could find them for $ 6 a box I would buy them for duck season.
I hate to say it, but check Wal-mart,,, Everybody talks crap about Wal-mart but in these days of Obamanism, I will shop there. I bought Winchester steel 7's for $ 5.47 a box.
We have a couple public land places around that require steel for doves, so far that is it. Their is a couple places that sell #8 and #9 in steel but the cheapest I have found is $12 a box. If I could find them for $ 6 a box I would buy them for duck season.
