Steel shot for clays question

[Lovesbeer99]

I'm setting up a youth program and my range only allows steel shot. I have a 20g and I'm wondering what I should use for trap, skeet, or Sport Clays? If I was using lead, I'd use #7, #7.5 or even 8's. (I don't like 9's)

Is steel any different?

 

[Lovesbeer99]

ping.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

#7? Im not sure, but I think the long shots where the lesser density of steel when compared to lead are pretty unusual in trap/skeet/sporting clays. Maybe Im wrong, maybe should go 6.5, but I cant imagine it would make that much difference - clays are pretty brittle it doesnt take a ton to break them.

 

[Red Label]

Check out www.trapshooters.com. There are some guys there from the Chicago area that can only shoot steel and have some great info and have done a lot of research so that they can keep shooting. Do a search and you will find it.

 

[627PCFan]

Plain old skeet choke and #8 Steel Foicchi will do you fine on the skeet range. 7.5 on the Sporting clays range with an IC choke. Cant speak to the trap aspect. If your a big roller, make your own hevishot loads

 

[ArmedBear]

I've only seen #7 steel for relatively cheap (at Wal-Mart).

Steel is lighter than lead, and it also chokes down more for a given constriction (i.e. a Modified choke will pattern more like a Full does with lead). This means you can't just take a fixed IM/F trap gun and use it as-is (and steel might destroy the barrel, too).

If I were you, I'd buy some and try it. Pattern it, try shooting it from the 27 yard line at Trap, etc.