Get the Lead out

[dagger dog]

Our state game laws are going no lead for dove on state owned land. Having no experiance with steel or non toxic shot, what size in steel or non toxic is suitable for dove. I always preferred 7 1/2's to 8's in low brass, or even 6's in a pinch.

 

[paintballdude902]

id probably go with a 6 or 7 in steel it looses speed faster than lead so id try and go with a bit of a larger size

here our water fowl impoundments are planted with corn, millet, milo and sunflowers then flooded in october for the ducks. great dove hunting before they flood it but you have to use nontoxic shot i was using bismulth since a friend gave me a box of 20 in number 8 i think never tried steel maybe in september when im home from school for a weekend

 

[moosehunt]

That's a bummer! I'd start by not hunting on State lands, since it sounds like that's the only place affected. You are going to find steel & non-toxic shells a lot more expensive, whether you purchase or reload. For waterfowl, the standard was to at least 1, generally two shot sizes larger than you used in lead, i.e. if you were using #6 lead, go to at least #5, preferably #4 in steel. I suppose the same would apply to doves, probably #6, but if you could find #7, it might work well. I've seen it available for reloading, but it isn't common by any means. If you go with Bismuth or Heavishot, your price per dove hunt is really going to sky rocket! Be sure and thank your government for the big favor!