....on the hard vs soft shot issue. The less deformed shot, the more stays in the pattern. Retains velocity better, penetrates better. And penetration is the key with shot. Steel is hard but it's also light, and it also sheds velocity very quickly. The fact that it's less dense than lead is what makes it inferior ballistically....
I'd agree here with Larry. Assuming the gun is ok with steel though, it drops waterfowl just fine for me at reasonable distances. I haven't found much help from HS type loads unless it's for pass shooting bigger birds. I do notice a few more swimmers with steel and if the head is up I try to finish it off quick.
With lead, I tend to use lighter loads at standard to light target velocities. On the pattern board or in the field, I can't see any difference with premium plated shot over good high antimony unplated shot.
