Sure it doesn't kill as dead as good ol' lead. (Hey I'm a poet!)
But what I'm saying is that it will kill plenty good enough. I've seen some incredible long shots made with some of the new steel like Black Cloud and all that crazy stuff. These new choke tubes they make for it, the special steel shot designed guns, etc etc etc really make it 1000% better than it was in the old days.
I shoot the expensive stuff but most of the guys I hunt with day to day use steel and I don't see them loosing any more birds than I do. I myself lose one occasionally, it just happens, even with premium ammo.
I'm not one of these twice a year waterfowlers either, I make 40 to 50 days a season minimum and usually more. I start with early geese in September and hunt steady until it all goes out in January/February. I see a lot of shells fired (not just by me) and I see a lot of waterfowl killed (again not just by me). I'm not bragging on patting myself on the back, it's just the simple truth. This is the voice of experience speaking.
Destry