What's your favored shell?

[venisonman]

Since we can't use lead, I've been using steel shot. Now with all the alternatives ( and usually expensive), What is everybody using?

I'm thinking of switching to Hevi-shot, but have heard good things about the others as well.

[Coldfeet]

LEAD
But sense we can't use it anymore Ive have used steel. I bought a couple cases of Actives and used them with a lot of luck. But now they have dwindled down to a couple boxes and its back to the drawing board. The next move will be to try everything that is out their untill I find one that works for my type of hunting. Bismuth or Tungston shot has me interested and at times the heaver the better. I guess buying everything out their till I find one is the only way to go. I am curious how the tungston will be on abuseing the barrels if they scratch because of the hardness of the tungston or if you have to use a more open choke because the shot will not deform like others. Anyone else have any input to this.
Cold Feet

[RGFIXIT]

From all the industry propaganda I've read and what the sales reps say, Tungston is not really harder or more abrasive than steel. It has a greater specific gravity and is heaver than steel.

I haven't seen any  barrels come across the bench that were damaged by the switch from steel.

For what it's worth
RG

[bobberstop]

Ive had good results with bismuth.

[USMC130FE]

My favorite is the empty shell case on the ground and me walking out to do a retreive.      I love the hitting power of "Hevi-shot", but to be fair I have yet to try the Bismuth so I cannot comment on them.

Steve

[PA_BOWHUNTER]

I have had good luck with Federal Steel in BBB and T shot for geese.  I shoot both out of a mod. choke with good patterns.  This year I have some Hevi-shot I'm going to try and will report on the results.  It had better be a big advantage over steel for the cost difference.

[Bobman]

I always use steel, usually Federal Premium (very good) but I've also used Remington (poor) and Winchester Super X (good).  My brother has tried the Bismuth and the Tungston but he hasn't done any better than I have, of course know matter what we are shooting we almost never take shots longer than about 30 yards.  That's just the way we were taught.

[BuckShotJon]

For Geese and Ducks in steel I prefer Kent Faststeel. For steel it seems to be the best. It is the most cost effective at this time as well.

The best hands down is Hevi-Shot. I have shot all variations of lead alternatives and would place them in this order

Best - Hevi-Shot
          Bismuth
          Tungsten
          Steel

Jon

[venisonman]

Thanks Jon and everyone else.
I think I will try them in the order Jon suggested.
Gonna have lots of time to experiment this year. I plan on doubling my waterfowl time. My son turned 12 and is looking forward to lots of action!