Hevi-shot vs. Hevi-steel

Daffyblaster · 01-04-2007, 05:08 PM

OK, guys, I'm fed-up with shooting ducks and getting dirty looks and a fly away or a sailing cripple into the next county! I get to hunt maybe once a week and I want it to count when I pull that trigger. Sure, I expect the usual comments about going to the range and waiting until they are within the right range, but i think that when I shoot a duck on the outside edge of my dekes and I see pellets strike water around him and feathers ruffled that that particular bird should generally drop dead in the water.

Sooo, I'm wanting to upgrade to something with a little more umph, a little nudge that'll put the

on them when I put the pellets on them. So what's your preference? I'm weighing the options between Hevi-Steel (cheaper) and Hevi-Shot (more smack-down than lead, priced like caviar) . I decided that as infrequently as I go, I can afford to go to these pricier shells, but just how pricey is still up for discussion.

What do you guys shoot? I'm currently running 3" #2's 1 3/8oz 1550 fps loads in regular steel. I buy whatever is cheapest. Mostly federals. Post up fellas.

baltz526 · 01-04-2007, 05:14 PM

my test of a case of heavy steel is half over, the green hull ones are great. i'm shooting the 1 1/8oz #2's at 1550fps. they kill everything in range and some out of range.

billc_sbio · 01-04-2007, 05:18 PM

I can only say what I've done and that's to buy some Hevi-Steel #4s for Ducks.

So far, for me they've worked very well.

Supposedly they have the same sectional density as Bismuth, and you can buy a box of 25 for the price of a box of 10 Bismuth loads.

I'm going with #4 Hevi-Steel anticipating that I'm getting enough energy in the smaller pellets and singificantly MORE pellets in my pattern than Steel #2s.

PullShootExplode · 01-04-2007, 05:51 PM

I would second what Baltz said 3" number 2's in Heavy Steel put a hurting on the ducks if you get a shot at any. I have aslo had great luck with kent fasteel and it was a little less spendy. You may wait until G.I. Joes has another sale as you get the sale price then a 10% discount for buying a case. You could also split a case with a buddy to help cut the cost.

Dr Strangelove · 01-04-2007, 09:00 PM

I've used Hevisteel #2 on ducks and it's smacked them down fine without cripples when used under 40 yards. The last 3 mergies I shot for Artie went braindead before hitting the water. My only problem is I should have used #4's for the teal/smaller birds since I have had two escape an obvious kill splat on the water because of pattern gaps. I still prefer Hevishot #6 (or Kent TM #5) 2.75" rounds for ducks. #6 has such a dense pattern with my Terror 0.675 choke that I downed two escaping ducks at 65 and 80 yards this year. The sprig I shot last week had a #6 pellet burn laterally throuh and through both sides of its beak at 40+ yards. Its wing was also snapped but the taxidermist said no problem. It's best to spend the money and buy a case for a 10% discount and get a rebate from Remington. That brought my 20ga 3" #6 down to 89 cents a round a couple years ago.

gonefishindadnme · 01-04-2007, 10:35 PM

Try going to a pattern master choke tube! I shot fast steel winchester #2 3". I started shooting 3 inch out of my Nova because it was cheaper to buy the 3" over the 3 1/2", and the 3" was getting the job done. My friend and I both do a lot of goose hunting and I used to sail a few geese every season. I haven't had to walk a half mile in a few years. On your question Hevi shot over hevi steel smoked a lot of snows with hevi-shot reminds me of lead. The good ole days!

Hope that help you out!
RB

Daffyblaster · 01-05-2007, 01:11 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys. I think I'll try next week with a box of hevi-steel #3's and a box of Hevi-Shot #4's and see what I think of the results. Is bismuth fairly comparable to Hevi-Steel?

baltz526 · 01-05-2007, 01:25 PM

bismuth works good but with its cost being equal to the better nontoxic shells, it is a old gun or fixed choke o/u or sxs. type of shell. the heavy shot is a higher performance product. so are tungsten matrix etc.

billc_sbio · 01-05-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daffyblaster

Thanks for the replies, guys. I think I'll try next week with a box of hevi-steel #3's and a box of Hevi-Shot #4's and see what I think of the results. Is bismuth fairly comparable to Hevi-Steel?

I think I'd even opt for Hevi-SHOT #6s!

From reports that I've read, guys used Hevi-Shot #10s (a special "test batch" made up for some outdoor writers) on Crows out beyond 60 yards and just put the smack down on them something ferocious!

Of course Crows are a much more fragile bird than a Duck, but if #10s will work on a Crow way out there, then there's no reason Hevi-Shot #6s wouldn't do likewise to Ducks out to about 40 yards!

Wreckless · 01-05-2007, 07:36 PM

Heavy shot 10's......Those be some DEAD Doves!!!!
I agree with the heavy shot 6's, I've never shot them, but lead 6's

Ducks!
Heck, I could be shooting a 5" Mag 10 gauge lately....I'm MISSIN'!!!!

Daffyblaster · 01-07-2007, 10:00 AM

Yeah, Baltz, Iwas wondering about the bismuth because I have several boxes I got when Joes was cleaning out their inventory last season. Those $5 boxes. I just can't turn down high quality shells at a dirt cheap price.

I think I'll try a box of those this week, too. Try a few shells of each kind per flight. (yeah, I know, wishfull thinking! It helps to have a plan, though.)

baltz526 · 01-07-2007, 11:54 AM

i shot a couple 25rd boxes of 20ga bismuth 3" #4's i really liked them. the only issue i had with them is if the wind was in your face, the buffer would blow back and get in your eyes.

crabbait · 01-07-2007, 01:37 PM

Go with the Hevi-shot #6 for ducks. I use it for all Cackler shooting and the first round when decoying bigger geese. Fours are overkill for ducks and the higher pellet count is another thing going for the #6 shot. Prepare to pound some birds.

Tvfowlhunter · 01-07-2007, 05:15 PM

Go with Hevi shot, I use 3 inch 2's for ducks ,and depends on subspecie of goose. I would either use 3 1/2 B for honkers or 3 1/2 for 2's for lessers. but with the hefty price tag ,and i'm currently in college. You might get a better deal with hevi steel because their is 25 shells a box in hevi steel ,and 10 shells a box in hevi shot.

Trent

HuntNFishAddict · 01-07-2007, 09:13 PM

DB,
Make sure to keep those Bismuth dry. I bought a bunch of those boxes when they were on sale. Used them early on before the rain hit and they were great. In Nov I got some wet and the pellets barely exited the barrel. Luckily my buddy killed the bird before I took another shot, the wad was stuck about halfway down the barrel.

Northwest Pest · 01-08-2007, 01:52 PM

Try a patternmaster or compariable choke and shoot 4 or 6 in either. I shoot 4 and 6 steel and crush birds.

jokester · 01-10-2007, 12:40 PM

BUMP...

Well, I took the plunge today. Bought 2 boxes of Hevi-Steel #4's (on sale at Hillsboro GI JOES for $19.99 / box, by the way :grin

and i'm gonna try them out tomorrow. Hopefully they'll do the trick, as I too am tired of having to chase ducks that won't die.

Hey Gil, think of how many shells I can conserve now

-jokester

Wreckless · 01-10-2007, 01:21 PM

Let us know how they do!

Daffyblaster · 01-10-2007, 01:25 PM

No doubt, man! I was using some left over Hevi Steel #2's yesterday and it smacked em hard at 35yds. The hevi shot was even better. I swatted one at about 30yds and it just crushed in mid-air like it ran into a plate glass window. I think 'll be loading first shot with hevi-steel and the second shot with hevi-shot for the longer range power. SHould work out cheaper, too.

Kevin Newell · 01-11-2007, 12:31 AM

#4 Hevi-Steel is what I use and within range it hits them very very hard. #2's didn't seem to work as well for me, I don't know if it's the way it patterns out of my gun or what. I'm extremely happy with #4 Hevi-Steel.

jokester · 01-11-2007, 03:49 PM

Well, after testing the #4 Hevi-Steel out today, I can say that I will be buying more in the future. I liked the way they hit the ducks, and took them down...instead of just a "POOF" of feathers! I'd have to say that i'm very impressed with their performance so far!!

I'm still not digging the price yet though

-jokester