Non/less-Toxic loads for long ranges

[goosegunner]

Not sure if this should be in 'hunting' og 'shotguns', but here it is....

As I understand it American waterfowlers have been forced to use non-toxic loads for several years, and this season it was bye-bye to lead shots here as well. So after reading all avilable tests and comparisons of avilable alternatives, and some (expensive) back-yard-testing, I don't tink I have found to any load that I like in the long range category. The short and intermediate ranges are no problem, because allmost anything goes as long as it is a good hit. But what I am looking for is a barrel lenght, choke, shoth-weight and shot-size that works on those longer ranges (30- 40 yards). Bismuth works great, but are not avilable in heavy loads, steel is not a long range alternative, and hevi-shot is not recomended in extra-full-choke. Ideally I would have a load that would work in long barrels with thight chokes, but that probably was lost with the lead-shots.

So what barrel/choke/load/shot-size/shot-material-combo do you use/recommend for long ranges (preferrably in 12ga)?

 

[TrapperReady]

I've been shooting geese a fair amount this year, and have been really happy with the performance of Hevishot. I've killed geese with B, #2 and even one with #6 Hevishot (although the last was probably around 20 yards and was easy to stay on the head/neck). For ducks, (at least out to 40 yards), I like #6 Hevishot, although #4 also works well.

The only real problem I have with Hevishot is the cost. A box of 25 steel shells costs less than a box of 10 Hevishot shells. Hopefully, HSMITH will post a response, as he has lots of experience about using steel shot at longer ranges. I think his basic approach is to use tight chokes, large shot and 3 1/2" shells.

By the way, most of the time I use a 12ga gun with a 28" barrel and MODIFIED choke. If I'm duck hunting, they're coming into the decoys nicely, and I'm using #6 Hevishot, then I'll swap to IMPROVED CYLINDER. Also, all the Hevishot shells I've used are 3".

 

[mete]

You can't get away from the basics - larger shot ,more shot [3 1/2"] and tighter chokes. However you never can tell about the chokes -always pattern your loads !! You might be surprized at what you get .My Benelli shoots extra extra full with a modified choke using steel shot !! For one thing steel shot uses a thicker plastic cup to protect the barrel which makes for a tighter pattern.

 

[goosegunner]

I know I must pattern my shots, but with the prize on hevishot I can't try 4 different chokes in 5 different guns at 10 different ranges and 5 shot-sizes per range without living on rice and water the rest of the year.

Ideally I would buy 1000 shotshells and try, but that is not a one man job. It works great with 35 gram #5 bismuth from 28'' barrel and modified, but this combination has its limit about 25 yards for good, clean kills. What I am looking for is the equivalent of my old long range favourite: 56 gram copperplated #4 or #6 from 36'' barrel and extra full. (I know the barrel lenght don't make thighter patterns, but it sure makes hitting the target easier) If I find something that has worked good for others on 40 yards, then I will, at least, have a place to start my testing.

 

[TrapperReady]

goosegunner - The first thing I'd do is narrow down the guns. Pick one (or two at the most) and decide to stick with that. It would be best if the gun you choose has removable choke tubes. Then, since you are interested in long ranges, I'd start with MOD and see how it works. If the patterns are even, then I'd try going to FULL and see what happens.

With Hevishot, long range (40+ yards) really isn't a problem, assuming the shooter has the skills. I nailed one goose earlier in the season at probably close to 50 (mostly due to height) with a load of B-sized Hevishot and almost took his left wing completely off.

 

[BigRedBowtie]

I've been told that to gain similar performance, you must bump up your shot size by two numbers. #6 lead = #4 steel. I've also heard that with some of the more exotic shot materials, you can go back to shot sizes similar to lead. I, having never hunted with lead, don't know what I'm missing. I use steel 3" #4s for my first two shots on ducks, with a steel 3" #2 for that shot that I shouldn't be taking... On geese, I'm limited to #2 shot where I hunt, so I bought some hevi-shot, #2, 3-1/2"... Really knocked 'em down! Ran out of hevi-shot and felt like I couldn't knock down a flea with the 3" Steel #2s...

All this is in a Mossberg 835 with a 28" tube and a MOD choke.

 

[goosegunner]

Tried the 2 3/4" hevi-shot nitro mag #2 and #4 today, and I think the #4 will be my new favourite! Perfect patterns at 40 yards from both the single barrel and the benelli nova (both modified and 28") The other tree are old and I dont want to punish them with hard pellets and high preassures. At 50 yards the pattern was to big to be useable, but if the 3" shells performs similarily this can be good.
Only downside (beside prize) was a rather big mussle blast that could be a problem in low light situations, but that I will find out in the morning.

 

[goosegunner]

The 3" hevi-shot Nito mag. did not like my barrels, so I have to stick to the
70mm ones, the mussle blast was kind of annoying but a flash supressor for the benelli is in the mail. To bad it is my brothers gun, I would use the Nova all the time if I could, but so will he. (luckily he does not like morning hunts, so as long as I am back til lunch-time...).

But a new question, I have never used 'hard' pellets before is it nessecary to be extra careful with ricochets? I would assume that harder pellets are more likely to bounce off hard surfaces than soft lead, but I have been wrong before.