Reloading shotgun shells with non-toxic shot

[Master Carper]

I have been reloading STEEL shot since the early 90's, and with the exception of shooting doves, if I'm shooting a shotgun, most likely, I'm shooting steel shot...

All things considered, "most" steel shot loads can be loaded cheaper than "most" lead loads. 10 pounds of steel is less than $17. Get a flat rate shipping deal for 40 pounds of steel, and pay less than $15 for it. Some company's will offer an $8.95 shipping special if you ask them...

Stay with your lighter and faster loads - 7/8 oz. loads at a minimum of 1,500 fps.. These have less recoil than a lot of 20 ga. guns, and depending on shot size and what you are shooting/hunting, as well as gun and choke combination, you can do very well with steel shot loads from point blank range, on out to at least 60 yds...

Choose your wads wisely though, especially if you shoot the larger pellets. These will scrub through the wad and score the snot out of your barrel. Steel pellets can also get to the barrel, by way of the wad slits. All of this can easily be overcome by using loading components that prevent this. Also, screw in chokes work better than the older fixed choke barrels...

I have shot everything from bunny's to deer with steel shot, and I actually prefer it over lead. I have never shot factory steel shot loads before, so I cannot offer anything on them....

 

[358norma]

Two ways steel shot will contact the barrel.
1-It won't all stay in the wad. When the wad starts forward some of the pellets will basically bound forward in front of the wad, which may or may not contact the barrel. This is another issue with steel, it is hard and likes to bounce off of things, including itself in a shotgun bore.
2-Have you ever picked up a steel shot wad after shooting it? There is a reason they are so thick. Even with the heavier/thicker wads you can very often see where the pellets have worn through the wad on the trip down the barrel.

 

[turkeyrun]

Every steel reloading manual / pamphlet I have ever read states explicitly - DO NOT USE BB's
I load steel T's and have had good results for close to 30 yrs, since steel became mandatory for waterfowl. Works good on turkey, too. Since it is requirement on wildlife management areas.