Fast Steel

dcgrav · 10-25-2005, 07:24 AM

Kent Fast Steel....good or bad? I need a good 2 3/4 inch load in steel. Any better options?

dcgrav · 10-25-2005, 07:25 AM

And where to get it?

duckdog310 · 10-25-2005, 07:34 AM

I shot Fasteel all last season on ducks. My thoughts: I didn't see any appreciable difference between Fasteel and any other faster steel loads. I do see a BIG difference when I use HeviShot, which will consistently kill more ducks at longer ranges for me using shot sizes more consistent with lead.

As far as steel shot goes, Fasteel is good stuff and killed a bunch of birds for me. I usually buy it at Bi-Mart or at the Sportsman.

baltz526 · 10-25-2005, 09:12 AM

normally it is cheaper at bimart.faststeel works,just buy the #2 steel and your set.

duckboy · 10-25-2005, 11:49 AM

Kent faststeel is a great product. i HAVe also had good use of Winchester hi v (the 1500 fps +) in the silver boxes.

Hammers em hard

younggun20 · 10-25-2005, 11:52 AM

I used Fast Steel a lot last year, and I loved it. I used 3" #3's, and they really hit em hard! Bi Mart is usually the cheapest for shells, or anything for that matter. Cody

ducknut · 10-25-2005, 06:37 PM

It's a great shell, even though I think it dirties up your barrel more than other shells. Bimart had a sale a few weeks ago ($2 off/box), but not anymore (just checked a few days ago).

waterfowlin101 · 10-25-2005, 07:20 PM

I can not stand Faststeel.

I am no ballistics expert...but I do have an opinion.

For me, the ideal shotshell speed is between 1250-1375 fps. When I have shot faster rounds, I have experienced higher numbers of cripples and birds leaving the dekes.

My favorite loads are Winchester Drylock and Xpert steel. The load must have at least 1 and 1/4 oz. of steel. I go through tons of ammo every year so I only shoot 3 inch loads, #4's and #2's for ducks and #1's and BB's for geese.

Jon

steelheadslayer · 10-25-2005, 07:23 PM

I've shot the 1&1/8 oz #2, 2&3/4" fast steel the last few years and I LIKE it. The ducks aren't to fond of it though.

Eric Strand · 10-25-2005, 07:28 PM

Fasteel is by far the best duck load I have shot. 3 inch 1 1/8 ounce of 3's

Give it a shot, you wont be sorry.

" Shoot em with their feet down "
Eric Strand

Gun Rod Bow · 10-25-2005, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Fasteel is by far the best duck load I have shot. 3 inch 1 1/8 ounce of 3's

Give it a shot, you wont be sorry.

" Shoot em with their feet down "
Eric Strand

What he said. It is the best steel load I have used. I think I prefer 1's. I can kill them to 30-40 yds with 2's and 3's, but it's not like 1's wont kill them close, and at 40-50 it still folds 'em.

I use tight chokes though.

duckboy · 10-25-2005, 10:32 PM

steel loads at under 1300 fps do not have nearly the residual energy at 35 yards that the 1550 fps ones do.

Ballistics and Physics would not support an arguement to the contrary.

Might be that it patterns differently for some reason, but the more leathal load will be the faster of the 2 without question.

duckboy · 10-25-2005, 10:33 PM

not sure what is up with my spelling tonight

jberry · 10-26-2005, 07:28 PM

I've shot quite a bit of Faststeel 3" 2's and I'm glad I'm almost out. I can't stand the stuff. I've gotten much better results out of 3" Estates and they're a bit cheaper(7.99/box). I don't think 1-1/8 oz of shot in a 3" shell is enough to give a decent pattern density and leads to a few more crips. Estate makes a 3" 1-3/8 oz load that just devastates birds over decoys. I don't think speed is as big of a factor as the mfgs' are trying to make us believe. The other problem with Kent is that once they are wet you might as well toss them in the garbage. The powder gets wet and the shot rusts within a couple days. I just bought a mixed case of Estate's 6's, 4's and BB's in 1-1/4 oz loads and tried some of the 6's yesterday with great results. For birds 25 yards and closer the 6's stoned them, maybe even a little too well. some of the breasts were like swiss cheese.

duckkiller · 10-26-2005, 08:33 PM

I have used lots of loads try the new HEAVY STEEL its made by the same guys that made HEAVY SHOT I found it at GIjoes.

tysdad · 10-26-2005, 09:02 PM

How do they handle water? My shells are usually submerged a few times each hunt, usually the last couple hours of high tide

oregonoutdoors · 10-26-2005, 09:07 PM

I shoot Federal Speed Shok or Ultra Shok. It costs a bit more, but they are waterproof. I have seen a Kent shell that got wet and the powder didn't go off. Same goes for Remington Nitro Steel and Sportsman, those things are russian roulette in my firsthand experience.

elkslayer24 · 10-26-2005, 09:09 PM

i shoot the remington sportsman 3" 1 1/4 ounce at 1400 for ducks and love them. but i agree for bigger birds like geese you want a faster round like 1500, 1550 or the new kent 1625 which i shot awesome with. these will give you more kinetic energy for knockdown power.

Fish-onNW · 10-30-2005, 04:51 PM

Im a fan of the kent fasteel 3" 1 3/8 once 2s and 3s... I've been knocking them dead w/those... Cabelas doesn't sell the 1 3/8's but macks prarie wings does...I also heard sportco stocks the heavy ones now too.