Save Money on Steel Shot Ammo! Beginner Waterfowl Tips 

I just bought my first shotgun so I can go duck hunting. Mossberg 88 and I purchased the duck barrel. Great channel with lots of info. Keep up the good job 👍🏼

I shoot 3" Kent Fasteel 1-1/4 oz. #1's. It patterns the best for me and doesn't break the bank.

Winchester Snow Goose 1&2 shot combined in one shell. Very effective!

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Shot the Herters during spring goose. Broke my spring action with first round. Not saying it was the shell but in a later hunt this spring they twice jammed in my Daughter's Mosberg. At that point my son measured out the shells and found them longer than a Federal. They ran through his Versa Max just fine. Just my observation on Herters.

I use 3 inch B.B. and 3 1/2 B.B. and 2 shot with a long range choke by the blackcloud and I love em

I shot Black Cloud for my first couple years of hunting, but switched to the cheap SuperX or Kent Fasteel once I realized its more about getting the birds in range and aiming correctly than the shell in the gun. 3" #3's with a few BB's in my pocket in case i feel like taking a poke.

Once I get my shotgun, I'm gonna buy maybe 10 boxes total of 5 brands, 2 each one. And test it out with my shotgun and see what I like and holds up. Then make notes, try it out hunting, make changes if necessary. Once I find something I like. Then I stock up on that one shell brand every chance I get and if it's on sale. Store it properly to make it last, and then have a target load as well that I like and can stock up on. I think most guys don't test loads until they get out hunting, or they only test a few. I think it's part of owning a shotgun to find what it likes, cuz then you can be purposeful in stocking ammo and be assured its what works for you.

Rio 3in #2 they pattern really well. Found out this past season in GA

This old video popped up on my feed, sure do miss them prices😢

Rio Bluesteel is a great shell. Found them the cheapest online from rogers sporting goods by the case, and free shipping on orders over $100.

Great video! I shoot BlackCloud exclusively now. I'm in Canada and lots of bird have heavy down that makes them real tough. I had tried all sorts of different brands of shells trying to save money and one day decided to just buy them and go for it. I haven't looked back since because the penetration and knock down they have makes a huge difference, no more clouds of feathers and still flying birds or 3 shots and when you clean it pellets are falling out of the down all over the place or caught just under the skin. Now they come down! I also love the heavy shot brands and blindside but my Mossberg and Carlson chokes get great patterns. They just like the black cloud so it's what I shoot. I wish they were cheaper but I hate loosing cripples. Some other brands here are 9.99$ per box sometimes less for steel waterfowl loads and the black cloud is 29.99$ to 39.99$ (HeviShot is the same price and Blindside is 50$ or more per box) so it's a huge cost increase but I shoot less, miss less and get a lot less cripples.

In The Netherlands we are not allowed to shoot with lead pellets at all for more than 20 years now. Most people shoot with steel, only a few with bismuth. I shoot the most with Gamebore Black Gold Steel shot, 28 gr. it is a 70mm cartridge HV. Size nr 4 ( 3,3mm ) Price € 0.25/shell = $ 0.30 => € 6.25/box = $ 7.50. It is one of the cheapest here in Holland. I use it because it is one of the best cartridge availble in Holland. But not only because of its price. I tried a lot different brands, shot weights and pellet sizes. But during the hunt, with this one i had the best results. A very nice pleasant shooting shotshell. Fast and hard hitting and keeps the pattern very tight! My shotgun is a Winchester Select Light, prefer to use use 1/2 choke on both barrels. Sometimes 1/4 choke in the low barrel. I shoot everything with it up to 40 - 45 metres ( about 50 yards ). I shoot hares, foxes, ducks, geese, crows and pigeons. Foxes of course a bit closer. You can shoot with heavier stuff, like a lot hunters are doing around the world. I also shot 3inch cartridges. But that is not nessesary. Just do not shoot beyond the 50 yards. Self- control is important. Do not overrate yourself!! I see a lot of hunters do so. With the result: a lot of birds crippled!!! We shoot to kill and to wound animals. I hate it when I see wounded animals are going away. I know it sounds cool when you say: " I shot 5 geese at 60 yards " But you never hear any hunter say: " I shot 5 geese very high and crippled 10 - Great isn't it " but that is what happens many times when you shoot at long distances. 70mm cartridges steel shot ( 28 or 32gr ) will do the job well. But also be sure your gun fits good. Just learn to shoot well first before you go out hunting. Game are not for practise, but living animals. I really love to hunt like all of you, but please do the job properly. Again Do Not Overrate youself and have self-control. I hunt now for more than 40 years, so i do have a little experience. I hunt because I love to hunt and not to show the outside world how great I am. Wish you all a wonderful hunting season!! Regards from Holland

We do pass shooting on Sandhill Cranes and I use Winchester Super Steal Magnum 12g 3" 1-1/4oz max load Steel Shot BB. It brings them down from way high if you lead them right!

Shell length varies amongst shell brands and hang up while ejecting!

I am 15 years old and wanted to hunt. Being 15 and mowing lawns to make money, I couldn't afford the Remington versamax because it over $1100 and I was only 13 at the time but I am very large and stocky so shooting a 3 1/2 inch out of a 12 gauge gun with no recoil reduction has never bothered me. The only time my 870 express ever fails was twice in same hunt. I was trying black cloud and the first shell fire formed to my barrel and I had to pry it out with a knife. The second shells brass cracked and my gun could not cycle. I threw 23 shells away that day and continued to use 3 1/2 inch superX

My brother used the browning shells for wood ducks and he likes them

The wad in the black clouds I've found kills geese better at longer distances, just because it holds that pattern together longer.

love Hevi-steel 3" 2 shot 1 1/4 oz best round that I have found

Bobby Right now there is a $5 per box rebate on Blackcloud ammunition. Just went to Scheels and my total for a case of 12 gauge 3in 1-1/4 oz 3# totaled 205. After the $50 rebate it'll come out around $15 a box for these. That's a steal of a deal for what they are!!!! Look into it!!

Kent faststeel 3 inch #2... they work amazing

I have bought strictly Remington Hi-Speed Steel. I've bought the #7 (1 oz., 1365 fps, 2 3/4" shell) for Doves and #4 for Teal (1 1/4 oz., 1400 fps, 3" shell)

Herter's 3 shot is my first shell in the chamber and they are great. Duck almost always goes down. Second round is a Heavy steel 2 shot and then a black cloud 2 shot. In that cycle I get nothing lost.

From my experience. Stay away from the Herters brand shells. They have a tendency to split down the side and won’t eject properly.

Honestly I have shot heavy metal, black cloud, Kent, and Rio. And to me you just can't go wrong with the Rio. Get em at Rogers for $110 a case. After that I like the Kent, even better than all those expensive shells.

Love this video Bobby!

I shoot a lot of those Farinacci 3 1/2 inch BB's at big geese. Good shells are not much money. The Winchester Xperts in 3 inch 1 1/4 ounce #2's are good snow goose loads.

I use 3.5 hevi metal just cause. Im in ontario canada so its stupid expensive but allot less cripples and im able to drop em longer out than plain ol steel. Love ya bob great vids

To preface: I really like Winchester steel as well. Can't beat it for the $$. Win xpert's pattern a little "open" or not as concentrated a pattern as Federal steel from what I've seen. This seems to be the case with all my sg's. I have done some pretty extensive patterning with Win, Fed and Fioccchi Speed Steel out of my benelli montefeltro, Maxus(3.5"), and my Fr. Affinity. Benelli Montefeltro-Patterns 3" #2 and BB Win xpert and Fed steel well. Not shot too much Fiocchi out of it. For close range Carlsons Cremator CR choke...friggin wicked with Fed or Win Steel. Trulock Lite Mod choke isn't bad out of this gun as well. -Fiocchi's pattern like garbage out of my Maxus..doesn't seem to matter what shot. (talkin-3"...tried BB, 1, 2, and 3 shot and with all my chokes: Factory IC, Mod.... my carlsons cremators CR,MR, and LR and carlsons regular waterfowl chokes CR, MR and LR....carlsons chokes are awesome for $$ btw.) Maxus loves Win xpert and Fed Steel(#4, #2, and BB), esp Win ammo(as patterning has it) ...go figure. Use Win 3.5" BB late season on geese... big thumbs up there. Now, Franchi Affinity-Patterned Win xpert-(patterned great) and Fiocchi Speed Steel out of this quite a bit. Fiocchi 3" #2 and BB patterned AWEFUL out of this gun, just like w/ my Maxus....but...Fiocchi 3" #1 was pretty good. And Fiocchi 3" #3 shot patterned really good. Explain that? It's funny...WInchester Steel looks like waterballon-shaped welding slag and Fiocchi is pretty, round, and polished....Yet Winchester patterns way better on the whole. Factory chokes kinda suck out of this Affinity...Have Carlsons Cremator CR and MR chokes for it as well as the Carlsons Waterfowl Full choke. These definitely pattern better than factory chk's... I want to try to pattern more Kent and perhaps Spectra as well....That's my experience. Good luck yall!

shells here in Minnesota at Walmart Winchester super x are 9$ any shot expect the B's loads are still only 13$ a box

Kent Fast Steele for me works great.

My go to's are Super X.. Imperial.. and Kent 1 3/8. Cheapest 3 Brands on our shelves and have never failed.

I️ actually just purchased my first shot gun, getting ammo tomorrow. Got me a Winchester SXP chambered in 2 3/4 - 3.5 inch.

My go to shell is Drylock 3" #3 through a browning BPS 28" with patternmaster code black duck choke. Second choice is kent 3" #3.

Wish the prices where the same as they were 4yrs ago

I used herters this year super cheap worked well got several

My go to is 1-1/8 3 inch 2 shot federal through my 870. The Super X shells jam way more often

My go too shells are Rio Blue steel and winchester

Since black cloud has a new redesigned shells, so there are some great deals on the old style. I picked up 3" #2s,3s, and BB for $13.99 a box for #2s&3s and $15.99 a box for BBs at Academy, The new styles also have a $5 a box / $50 a case rebate on them but they're still pretty pricey.

I love the Kent fast steel #4 shot for duck, for $15 a box I think it's a good deal. I also like the havi steel for the price. I have shot blind sides, and they hit hard. just a little expensive, but might try them again.

Academy is now selling Monarch (house brand) steel shells in 3" #2 and 3" #4's.. They work WAY better than Super X, and are $8.99 a box. Theyre my new go to shell. Ive been using thier dove loads exclusively for 2 seasons now on dove and squirrel and they work flawlessly. Every where we hunt in north texas is a farm tank or making < 30yd shots in lake coves or timber. If we made longer shots or saw bulk of geese (usually lots of teal, wood ducks and some mallards is our haul each time, not a lot of big ducks at our spots), then Id say youd need some BB sized shells, but 4 and 2 shot cover everything we do. Super X used to be my goto shell, but in the last couple years we noticed that we were getting lots of cripples and fly aways from ducks we shot at 10-15 yds with 3" shells. Went and patterned them with our guns and found they were patterning like crap at even close ranges,. I switched to federal blue box ($14-ish a box) and didnt have another issue (so we knew it wasnt our aim). I also had problems with some bulk Winchester white box 9mm and 45 ammo I purchased at walmart during that same time frame. I think there has been some sloppy product and qc issues at winchester since the post sandy hook run on ammo and the subsequent push to get stores restocked. They may be back on track now, but I havent shot them in almost 2 seasons now because federal blue box and now the monarch. These results were the same for our whole group (buying shells in the same stores/general area) for a couple of Stoger semi autos, a Benelli Black Eagle, and 3-4 mossberg 500 / 88 pumps.

I've shot Rio's shotgun shells and they work great

Federal steel 3 inch 2 shot

Honestly right now at my local Walmart there are Winchester Dryloks for 7 dollars a box for sizes 4 2 BB and BBB

I like black cloud, but yes I do find it dirty too. I also use super x a lot, good shell for the price.

Stoeger m3500 cycles everything I’ve slung at it. Monarch shells are $8.99 a box. Loaded kind of hot. 3” #2s. $89.99 a case

Cz 1012, monarch 3in 2shot, this was my first year Waterfowl and that’s what I’m using. I’m on redheads, I haven’t tried any other loads just yet but these seem to be getting it done

Black cloud 3 inch magnums 1/1/8 oz

Remington 3" Steel T shot. T shot is amazing for honkers

That's a nice lanyard ya got there... Be a shame if you didn't send it to me😂😂

Rogers just had the deal of the year. Remington Nitro Steel 3" $170 per case with a $100 rebate. Another good deal is Scheels Fiocchi are normally about $10-15 per box. I'm Nebraska born & raised but just never seem to find good deals on ammo at Cabelas. Black Clouds were dirty but they changed them up this year. Just a bit too pricey for me.

federal #4 there $9 a box at the right time of the year, these are my favorite duck loads.

I love these videos man keep them coming!!!!

I get my Winchester super X's for $10.72 a box at Walmart

I hunt almost every weekend. Two days a week and box or two gets expensive. You can find the good shells in bulk cases and palettes. There plastic wrapped and waterproof. All the guys split it and it isn't bad for as many as shots as your getting.

I have settled on Kent Fasteel. I also like 2's for my combo duck and goose loads. I do use 3 1/2in cause I have more confidence with them. Price wise they aren't to bad. I did buy the new BOSS 2 3/4 in #3's bismuth to try cause of what I've heard about them. The promoters were really excited using 5's on both ducks and geese. I had to hedge my bet and got the 3's. Pleasantly surprised so far. You might want to do a show on them. I would like to see what you think. Thanks, love your show!

Hevi metal is 26.99 for 3 inch here in Michigan. 30 something for 3.5s

Newly subscribed, love your videos brother.

Try the Remington Hypersonic's from Walmart 3in. 1 1/4 #4, I have had my best success with these shot shells.

Bobby seriously no Kent Fast Steel? This is our go to up here in Washington state.

i use 12/76 sellier & bellot magnum steel shot 36g 3,81mm

I did some patterning with kent 2.0 and herters in #3 and bb with my new shotgun. Herters does better with the number of pellets on paper by about 20 pellets on 3's and 10 pellets with bb's. Both 1-1/8 3". 40 yards 30" circle. I can get a little bit better number of pellets with the factory choke but the carlson puts a more even pattern across the whole circle with both. I will pattern a few different brands in the near future to see if anything else does better otherwise I will be ordering more herters for next fall.

rio bluesteel are good cheap steel shot and are typically under 10 dollard

Hey Bobby, I have used the brownings bought them really cheap in Canada for 185 for a flat of 3” 2shot out of a modified choke they pattern like a lead full choke lots of knock down power. They do dirty the barrel but I blame that on the plastic wad. You should give them a shot

3” #3 Winchester Super X

I use hevi metal for ducks and geese and fasteal for teal and sometimes woodies

You need to try drylock #4

I shoot and have for years, Federal Speed Shok blue box 3" #2s. I shoot duck's and geese with them. 12-14$ a box. I get mine at Runnings, like a Tractor Supply store.

Love to shoot 3 inch number 3's fiocchi duck and goose

I love to use estate and my friends use it to I also use Winchester super x I always use 3 or 4 shot

Yo Bobby, they are running an amazing sale at rogers and cabelas right now. $50 mail in rebate on cases of Black Cloud, Blind Side, and Browning BXD! If you go with 3 inch 2 shot---BXD comes out to like 11 bucks a box and the Blindside would be like 14 bucks a box. Thought I would let you know!!!

im a kansas guy also...my walmart sells winchester super X for 10.72 a box and fiocchi out of my local gun store is 17.99 a box...both work well out of my stoeger m2000 Reo shells fail to cycle

I work for a guide service going through at least 2 boxes a day cant beat the super x for the price ive also had luck with the federals and kent steel but super x is the go to

I load my own Steel I also load a lot of bismuth but if I'm buying it heavy shot seems to work very well

Federal Blue box (speed shok) cheap and good performance for the cash. plus the 2 3/4 # 6 works on dove and upland birds too if you live somewhere where you can't shoot lead. you can get a case of the stuff for 125$ for the 3" and 99$ for the 2 3/4" and I've killed plenty of birds with these... the Heavy-Steel in # 3 is also very good but a little more expensive. I'm shooting a Benelli m2 for reference.

Fiocchi Max Steel 3 shot!! Soft up close and hits hard enough out a ways. 1 1/5oz and 10.99 a box at scheels!!

I use Black cloud almost exclusively and was trying to get away from it until I saw the new BC they made. They say it runs cleaner, it has a nickel coated base. Seems like an awesome improvement over the old BC. I'm still gunna use the old BC this year til I use it up but I have to clean my gun after every hunt.. it is very dirty. But my gun and carlson cremator choke pattern it beautifully. Plus the FS steel I firmly believe it causes more damage, I've seen in in goose breasts. Regular round steel will have a decent wind channel bu the FS steel is more devastaging. Doesn't seem to affect the edibility either. My gander had a shit ton of BC and blind side for 40% off so I grabbed 3 boxes of the old Black cloud for $14 a box

had good luck with Browning shells

Cabela's has blackclouds in what you like for 11.19 a box if you get a case and do the rebate.

I like the Browning steel shot shoots Good out of my Mossberg and so does the herters.

been in the field for almost 50 years. Kent Fasteel is the best shell on the market for the money.

Mack's prairie has the Browning bxd 3 inch 109 a case after a rebate...

Funny how times change. About all that's left on the shelves today is steel shot.

Kent Fasteel is 14.99 at my local Runnings for 4 shot all the way up to BB in 12GA 3"

federal 2 3/4 15/16 oz. #4 for my 16 gauge work great!

Winshester blind side and heavy metal #4 for ducks. Kent #1 or 2 for geese

Tri-Star great gun. This is a Weatherby for those who didn't know.

My local Walmart’s is nc all have Winchester steel shot on sale for $7 a box. Hit up Walmart for deals late in the season

Always Always check Wally World after the season is over for their clearance prices. I scored Winchester 3 1/2"- 1 1/4 oz BB for 50% off last spring. That made them 8 dollars a box and there was no limit so I bought 30 boxes, I know I was a pig but I left someone else at least 50 boxes.

Just picked up a box of Field & Stream Steel from Dick's Sporting Goods. $11.99 look forward to trying them. As you said options like black cloud and heavy metal break the bank.

Kent Fasteel 3" 3 shot 1 1/4 oz

I shoot 3inch black cloud #3 and #4 late season early season for wood ducks I shoot blindside #6 3inch

Herters shells are actually pretty good I've knocked down more birds than I can count and I can't argue with the price. I've also never had a misfire or a jam but the only downfall is they burn pretty dirty.

I used for 25-30 years Estate 12 gauge 2 3/4 in. #2 steel 1 1/4 oz. Killed ducks and Geese by the truck load. Fired them through my Remington Model 1100 30 " full choke most I paid was 10.99 a box , for the price they work great.

If you order blind side by the case through macks pw and send in the mail in rebate they come to a total of 12$ a box

Thank you for great simple info with out all the xtra BS Brother. Just getting into duck hunting and that helps out lots

Federal orange box from Rogers sporting goods. If that’s out, then I go to the blue box version.

If you use the proper choke for your hunting situation, you should be good. But, pattern your shotgun with the rounds you are thinking of using. Try several types and manufactures to see what patterns best in your gun.

Ay Bobby you should check out NC1213, Winchester xpert steel...junk ? It’s a really eye opening video when it comes to Winchester steel