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For years I have used size 6 lead shot at 1200 fps to great effect on pheasants. But now here in Kalifornia we are ordered to switch over to non-toxic shot for all game birds except on private "game farms". What do you folks suggest? Thanks...

Subtract 2 for shot size and go up two for velocity

So #4 Steel at 1400 fps

Mike

High speed steel two's work well for me on ducks and geese; ought to work fine for pheasants...Geo

Look into Bismuth if you can. You don't shoots cases of shells hunting so the cost per shell should not break you. Bismuth 5 or 4's should work well and are kind to old doubles.

As suggested above it can be done stylishly with #4 steel through modern Browning Citori or Beretta 6xx series over/unders.

I like KY Jon's suggestion. I can't imagne shooting steel out of my sxs's. Never had to use non-tox here in Michigan but if I did, it would be the "kinder" stuff.
Karl

I started using the rule of thumb to go down 2 shot sizes (from 6 go 4). They weren't dead in the air like they were with lead, went to steel 3's. That was the ticket for me. For what it's worth, there is a report on steel shot that many game departments post done by Tom Roster and it suggests 2's for average game shots. That would seem too patchy to me, pattern-wise. But obviously, waterfowlers do OK with 2's. I use a skeet choke for pheasants over pointing dogs. Most (maybe all) of our public grounds in WA where pheasants are supplemented require non-toxic shot now. Wish lead were still legal but I just bought a Benelli Ultralight and persevered. Not a double but it handles well, I shoot it fine, and I don't care what I run through it.

Bruce

Tom Roster did a study on pheasants (and also ducks) leathality with steel. He determined that, for roosters, the appropriate steel was size no. 2. I have used #4 steel and it was inadequate at 30 yards. #2 shot was preferred for ducks as well. The point was, what killed the birds dead most often...

In other experience I have killed smaller geese and cranes with #3, #2, BB, and T steel. The #3 was relatively poor at any distance, breaking wings but not penetrating body cavity on a straight incoming shot. I choose BB's most often.

Have fun!

I am also stuck in CA and not happy about the lead ban. I have killed one pheasant with steel as an incidental target on a duck hunt. Load was Faststeel 3", 1-1/8oz #3 at about 30 yards, and that parrot was deader than most of the ones I have shot with lead. Not ideal, but it worked pretty well. I only have one SxS that I would be willing to use with steel, so I'll either use a Citori or 686 with steel, or HeviShot for the other SxSs. I have not had positive experiences with bismuth, but I did pick up a flat of 16ga when I stumbled into it, and I have a small stash of 20s that I have been hoarding.

I've done all my wild pheasant hunting with steel for nearly 25 years. When they are holding well, I'll use #4 in the first barrel and #2 in the second. When they are flushing at long range, I'll load #2 in both barrels. Kills 'em dead, even with a 20 ga.