Steel shot on upland birds? (no lead in meat)
Question:
I’m new to shotgun hunting, and plan on going after turkey and grouse this fall. I have two little kids, and I can’t imagine feeding them meat which numerous lead pellets have passed through. I suppose even worse one of them could eat a pellet. I don’t like what lead does to kids… So I’m wondering about how much of a performance loss I will see with steel shot. Also, would the copper-coated premium lead shot solve my problem? Thanks for any info, -jeff Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>I don’t like what lead does to kids…
A lead pellet does not pose the health hazard that you might think. It is lead dissolved in water, or lead dust particles in the air that pose the risk. You don’t really have a problem, but shoot bismuth if it helps you feel better. Randy Wakeman Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Another draw back is that steel being lighter and having less energy will likely leave you with more shot in the meat due to lack of penatration. I would hate like heck to bite down on a steel bb. Mike "Trying is the first step toward failure" "Just because I don’t care, does’nt mean I don’t understand" –Homer Simpson Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> Another draw back is that steel being lighter and having less energy > will likely leave you with more shot in the meat due to lack of > penatration. I would hate like heck to bite down on a steel bb.
I can vouch for that! I have had to have two crowns due to cracking teeth — Kevin Hall in Central Florida Favorite Bumper Stickers Part-time Fishing/Hunting Guide "Will Fish for Cigars!" Spam my email account . . . and lose yours! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> I’m new to shotgun hunting, and plan on going after turkey and grouse this > fall. I have two little kids, and I can’t imagine feeding them meat which > numerous lead pellets have passed through. I suppose even worse one of > them could eat a pellet. I don’t like what lead does to kids…
** The amount of lead is insignificant and does not pose a health problem (even long-term). > So I’m wondering about how much of a performance loss I will see with > steel shot.
** A lot. Steel has a higher muzzle velocity, but, slows down much quicker – due to its’ lighter weight (less retained energy down range). Therefore, you have less effective range. > Also, would the copper-coated premium lead shot solve my problem?
Yes. The USFWS service did some studies in the middle to late ’70’s (I believe) that showed that triple-copper plated pellets were not harmful to waterfowl. They *fed* them to captive birds — even going through the gizzard was not enough to remove the copper coating. The drawback to using CP shot is that it commands a *premium* price. — Kevin Hall in Central Florida Favorite Bumper Stickers Part-time Fishing/Hunting Guide "Will Fish for Cigars!" Spam my email account . . . and lose yours! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
