The lead pellets also penetrated 4.12 inches into the 30-yard gelatin, compared to steel’s 3.43 inches. Nevertheless, the higher pellet count of the lead load meant more pellets in the circle: 128 hits, compared to 102 hits for the steel load. 52.6 percent) inside a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. Results: As expected, the hard steel pellets patterned tighter than lead (62.5 percent vs. – 12-gauge 11⁄8-ounce loads of Wing-Shok High Velocity No. – 12-gauge 11⁄8-ounce loads of Federal Prairie Storm No. In the field I have had no trouble killing wild birds with steel shot, but while dead is dead, I wanted to quantify the differences between steel and lead loads. Pheasants are tough birds and elusive cripples, so choosing the right shell matters, especially when you go from dense lead to lighter steel.
410’s shot string.Ī growing number of pheasant hunters have to shoot nontoxic ammunition.
#12 ga shot full#
The 46-inch-long shot string of the 20-gauge, which was measured at 20 yards, was a full 20 inches shorter than the. Penetration was better, too-3.3 inches vs. The higher pellet count and higher velocity of the 20 combined to put more pellets in the 30-inch circle (173) than the. 410 shot 87.8 percent patterns at 30 yards, while the Modified 20 shot 84.6 percent. We picked 30 yards as a compromise distance and to reflect the shorter ranges at which beginners shoot. 410s are typically patterned at 25 yards. Results: Unlike other gauges, which are patterned at 40 yards. – 20-gauge 7⁄8-ounce loads of Game-Shok Upland No. 410 11⁄16-ounce loads of Game-Shok Upland No. A comparison between the two, I was sure, would dramatically show the 20’s superiority. 410, despite the higher recoil and extra weight of the 20. I believe beginning hunters should shoot a 20-gauge, not a. Just ask me and all the other gun writers who have repeated that “fact” over the years. 410 is a ballistic disgrace, and a crippler of gamebirds.