If you hunt ducks or geese in the US, you shoot non-toxic shot. For most hunters that means steel. Steel shot shells cost less than bismuth or tungsten, they come in every size from #7 to BBB, and they pattern tight. They also behave differently from lead. Pick the wrong size or choke and you’ll cripple birds you should have folded.
This guide explains how steel differs from lead, what size to pick for ducks, geese and doves, which chokes are safe, and how to read the box. All the load data below comes from the 12 gauge steel loads we carry at Bulk Ammo Vault.
What is steel shot?
Steel shot is round pellets of soft iron or low-carbon steel. Some makers plate it with zinc or copper to fight rust. It became the main waterfowl load after federal rules required non-toxic shot for ducks and geese. Lead pellets that birds pick up from the bottom of a marsh can poison them. Steel does not.
Steel is not the only non-toxic choice. Bismuth, tungsten blends and TSS also qualify. Some loads mix them, like the Apex TSS Waterfowl Blend with BB steel and #7.5 TSS, or the Hevi-Hammer Upland with steel and bismuth. Plain steel is the budget workhorse.
Steel shot versus lead shot: the true statements
Hunter-ed tests love this question. Here are the facts that matter in the field.
- Steel is lighter than lead. A steel pellet of the same size weighs less, so it loses speed and energy sooner.
- Steel is harder. It doesn’t flatten in the barrel, so patterns tend to run tighter than lead through the same choke.
- Steel loads run fast. Makers push steel harder to make up for the lighter pellet.
- Go bigger. Because each pellet weighs less, many hunters step up one or two shot sizes from what they’d use with lead.
- Steel is non-toxic. It’s legal for waterfowl where lead is not.
What size steel shot for ducks and geese?
There’s no single right answer, but common practice looks like this:
- Teal and decoying ducks close in: #4 to #6.
- Mallards and big ducks: #2 to #4.
- Geese: BB, BBB or T.
- Doves and upland birds where non-toxic is required: #6 to #7-1/2.
Duplex and dual-size loads split the difference. The Remington Nitro Steel Duplex #2 and #6 and the Federal Ultra Steel #3 and #5 put two sizes in one hull.
Waterfowl steel shot shells compared
Here are our 12 gauge waterfowl steel loads with the maker’s listed velocity.
Note the trade-off. The Remington HyperSonic 3-1/2 in. #2 lists 1,700 fps with 1-3/8 oz. The Winchester Drylok BBB lists 1,400 fps with 1-1/4 oz of bigger pellets. Faster loads hit harder at a given range. Heavier payloads put more pellets on the bird. Recoil climbs with both.
Steel shot shells for doves, upland and clays
Some states and many public hunting areas require non-toxic shot for doves and upland birds too. Light steel loads fill that need, and they work on the clay range.
| Load | Shell | Payload | Shot size | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Upland Steel 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 1-1/8 oz #6 | 2-3/4 in. | 1-1/8 oz | #6 | 1,400 fps |
| Winchester Xpert Upland 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 1 oz #7 Steel | 2-3/4 in. | 1 oz | #7 | 1,325 fps |
| Heavy Dove and Quail Steel by B&P 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 1 oz #7 | 2-3/4 in. | 1 oz | #7 | 1,375 fps |
| Fiocchi Dove and Quail 12 Gauge Steel 2-3/4″ 1 oz #7 | 2-3/4 in. | 1 oz | #7 | 1,200 fps |
| Fiocchi Steel Target 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 1-1/8 oz #7 | 2-3/4 in. | 1-1/8 oz | #7 | 1,375 fps |
| Federal Top Gun Steel 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 1-1/8 oz #7 | 2-3/4 in. | 1-1/8 oz | #7 | 1,145 fps |
| Competition One Steel by B&P 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ #7-1/2 | 2-3/4 in. | 1-1/8 oz | #7-1/2 | 1,280 fps |
| Fiocchi Low Recoil Steel 12 Gauge 2-3/4″ 1 oz #7 | 2-3/4 in. | 1 oz | #7 | 1,200 fps |
The Federal Upland Steel #6 lists 354 pellets and 1,400 fps, which suits pheasant edges and doves. The Fiocchi Low Recoil Steel #7 drops to 1,200 fps for a softer day on the clay field.
What choke to use with steel shot
Because steel patterns tighter, you can often open your choke one step. A modified choke with steel may print like a full choke with lead. Many duck hunters start with improved cylinder or modified and pattern from there.
Can you shoot steel through a full choke?
Maybe, but only if the gun maker says so. Many modern shotguns and choke tubes are marked as safe for steel. Older guns with thin barrels or fixed full chokes may not be. Hard steel pellets can bulge a barrel that wasn’t built for them. Check your manual or ask a gunsmith.
Can you shoot steel through a turkey choke?
Most extra-full turkey chokes are not rated for steel. Read the choke’s markings and the maker’s notes before you try. When in doubt, swap to a waterfowl-rated tube.
Regulations to check before you hunt
Federal rules require non-toxic shot for migratory waterfowl. States add their own rules for doves, upland birds and some public lands. Rules change, and they vary by state and even by wildlife area. Check your state’s hunting regulations each season.
Shop steel shot shells
See every 12 gauge waterfowl, upland and target load in our steel shot shells category. Hunting with a smaller gun? Our 20 gauge steel shot guide covers the lighter bore. Pattern your gun on paper before opening day, then buy enough of that one load for the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the true statement about steel shot versus lead shot?
Steel shot is lighter and harder than lead. A steel pellet loses speed sooner than a lead pellet of the same size, so hunters often go up one or two shot sizes. Steel also patterns tighter because it does not deform. Unlike lead, it is legal for waterfowl hunting in the US.
What choke should I use for duck hunting with steel shot?
Many duck hunters start with improved cylinder or modified when shooting steel shot shells. Steel patterns tighter than lead, so a more open choke often gives the pattern a tighter lead choke would. Always use a choke tube your maker rates for steel, and pattern your gun before the season.
Can you shoot steel shot through a full choke?
Only if your gun maker says the barrel and choke are rated for steel. Many modern guns and tubes are. Some older guns with thin barrels or fixed full chokes are not, and hard steel pellets can damage them. Check your manual or ask a gunsmith first.
What size steel shot for ducks?
Many hunters use #2 to #4 steel for big ducks like mallards and #4 to #6 for teal and close decoying birds. Geese usually call for BB, BBB or T. Duplex loads such as #2 and #6 combine two sizes in one shell.
Do you have to use steel shot for doves?
Not everywhere. Federal law requires non-toxic shot for waterfowl, but dove rules vary. Some states and many public hunting areas require non-toxic shot for doves and other upland birds. Check your state’s current regulations and the rules for the exact area you plan to hunt.
Is steel shot non-toxic?
Yes. Steel shot is approved as non-toxic shot for waterfowl hunting in the US. That is the main reason it replaced lead in duck and goose loads. Bismuth, tungsten blends and TSS are other non-toxic options that cost more but carry more energy per pellet.
