Gun Dog Forum

Anyone have experience shooting #2 steel on pheasants?

While hunting on state land, we are required to use steel. Last year I was using #4, 3" shells and had several obvious hits and the birds did not go down. I've had good experience using #4 lead on wild birds (So I don't think it's all related to my shooting).

Thanks!

Kent makes a #2 3" 20 gauge load thats around 1500fps that should do what you want them to. Alot of guys I know just use there duck loads and crush the Pheasants
scott

Thanks,

Those are the loads I bought. Am I right in thinking that the pattern will not change from shooting #4 steel... just the density of pellets?

I'm heading out to a preserve next week for some preseason hunting.

I shot 3" #4 steel last year in two states and stuff worked perfectly.

shot 3" #4 steel last year in two states and stuff worked perfectly

That sounds like you have NOT had experience shooting #2 3" steel

I shoot 3" 2's at ducks all winter, like more pellets in the pattern over bigger shot that looses speed faster, for phez.

I shot some Kent 3" #4's at preserve pheasants last year worked ok, but probably not as effective on wild birds. For this year I'm planing on giving the Federal Black Cloud 3" a try this year. I think they make a 2, 3, and 4 shot for the 20 gauge. Let you know how it works

at what range did you hit these birds?

Im shootin 20 ga mostly, and shots tend to be closer cause I'm only shooting over points......

I shot some out of a Beretta O/U last year on passing pheasant while walking the edge of a field that my cohorts were making a drive in. I threw some 3" #2's in my pocket because I have done well on long range pass shots with the bigger steel shot before. Aside from the obvious.... snot-flying recoil, they did coldcock the birds at some pretty impressive range. Of course, the guy running the trigger needs to really be on his game. To be honest though, I don't think I'd use them over points. That larger shot reall wrecks birds at close range. Go with a premuim #4 steel or better yet, some of the bismuth or hevi-shot.

I would also be interested in what kind of patterns you are throwing with the loads you tried. I've found that my 20 ga guns with steel throw extemely tight patterns (might not be the case with all 20's though?). If you're using mod or ic chockes you may want to consider cyl or skeet to give yourself a better pattern at your closer ranges with steel. In fact, if I were to hunt phez over point with steel in my 20, I'd start with cyl and skeet.

I would also be interested in what kind of patterns you are throwing with the loads you tried.

Yes... very good thoughts. You're right... the ultimate answer is to fork out the $ for the heavy shot

I'll take your advise and pattern the gun using steel shot. I'm using a mod. choke. I know mod. is not ideal for steel. Right now it's the lowest choke I have.

Lat year I purchased a Skeet Extended choke tube from Carlson's (I think it was like $35)... I shot steel all year, everything from 7's down 2's... I was very happy with how it preformed on woodcock, quail, and phez

mandrakeduck wrote:

I would also be interested in what kind of patterns you are throwing with the loads you tried.

Yes... very good thoughts. You're right... the ultimate answer is to fork out the $ for the heavy shot

I'll take your advise and pattern the gun using steel shot. I'm using a mod. choke. I know mod. is not ideal for steel. Right now it's the lowest choke I have.

My 20's throw x-full patterns with mod/steel. I've noticed that 20's with steel shoot tighter patterns than 12's with similar chokes...if that makes sense.
I don't think bigger shot is the answer there. Probably should buy a skeet choke for your outfit and try that.

I patterned the 3" #2 Kent Fast Steel 20 g. with a modified choke on my SKB XL Semi. Wow! I was surprised. I first shot at 30 yds and the at 20 yds. I got a very even spread with holes all over my target. The 30 yd. shot was a perfect pattern and the 20 yd pattern even distribution with most of the holes in middle to lower quadrant- perhaps I aimed a bit low?

I'm going to shoot the #2 on the State land this year. I'll post and let you all know how it works. Thanks for all your thoughts.

I have shot a lot of #2 steel at pheasants and it works quite well out to around 35 yards if I do my part. I don't use 3" loads, I run 2 3/4" loads, 3/4 ounce of shot. Generally use remington nitro steels which are sent along at 1400fps or faster as I recall.

Pattern your loads. I find that a lot of 3" loads don't pattern as well as their 2 3/4" equivalents for me. And some of those 3" steel loads don't get sent out with as much as speed either--it's as if they switch emphasis to more pellet weight and less powder sometimes.

I would NOT use #4 steel. It's not horrible but has been shown to be worse than #2 in killing effectiveness on pheasants. Steel is not lead, it's not as dense and does not penetrate as well in the same shot sizes. This can be overcome by fast speeds at times, but the trade off there is a lot fewer pellets which means poorer coverage (or pattterns with more holes)downrange.

The usual advice for decades has been to drop a size or 2 and open your choke a notch or two when shooting steel when compared to lead. So if you shoot #4 lead through a modified choke, switch to #2 or #3 steel and run them through an IC choke.

I think #3 steel is about perfect but it's hard to find in 20 gauge these days. Fiocchi was the last one that made them and I am not sure they are anymore.

Just last week I used my 20 ga. to take a limit of 7 ducks. I used Kent Fasteel #2 in 7/8 oz. I was really impressed with this load and took 2 mallards at about 45 yds. This load preformed flawlessly and I have no doubts in its ability to take down some roosters.

Good luck.

Gentlemen,
I am a big believer in always bringing enough gun, however #2's are a might large for just about anything I happen to hunt, don't due much Goose hunting any more.
The duck hunting I do is usually jump shooting Woodies along a stream it the Grouse woods. Each to his own, but I have little use for #2's unless it for home security.
RGD/Dave

In steel shot #2 are the only shot to go with on pheasant ; I've tryed the other loads and ended up back at #2's,that's 2-3/4 or 3in.
JMO.

Holy moses......are you planning on eating these birds????? #2 shot???? The largest shot I use for wild late season pheasants has been #5s.......maybe some practice would be wiser than shooting such large pellets.