Ways to Improve Shooting With Steel Shot

Use tested steel shotshell loads.

• Make sure you buy the appropriate size steel shotshells.
• Review the chart “Proven Steel Shot Loads for Waterfowl” published by the Cooperative North American Shotgunning Education Program.

Pattern your shotgun.

• Shotguns pattern differently depending on the type of shot as well as other factors.
• Pattern testing helps you find the maximum effective range for your shotgun.

Adjust your gun and practice shooting.

• Gun fit, mounting, swing speed, and forward allowance are critical to shooting success.
• Be sure your gun is properly adjusted.
• Practice shooting at moving targets throughout the year.

Learn your necessary forward allowance—the air space needed to make consistent, clean hits.

• Forward allowance looks different for each person based on a number of factors.
• This is necessary to shoot at any practical distance.

Practice with the same loads you use when hunting. Using different loads when practicing or hunting makes learning difficult.

Steel Shot and its Effect on Wounding Loss

Extensive field tests demonstrate that when velocity and shot size selection have been properly adjusted for there is no significant difference in wounding loss between steel shot and lead shot.

• Pattern test your gun and choke.
• Choose effective loads.
• Practice your shotgun skills.
• Shoot within range of your shooting ability.

Make sure to keep your steel shot size within legal standards. It is illegal to use shot larger than size T (0.20" diameter) for migratory birds in Alaska.