Ways to Improve Shooting with Steel Shot
Use tested steel shotshell loads.
- Make sure you buy the appropriate size steel shotshells.
- Review the chart “Proven Steel Shot Loads for Waterfowl” published by the Cooperative North American Shotgunning Education Program.
Pattern your shotgun.
- No two shotguns will shoot identical pellet patterns. In order to select ammunition that provides the best performance, it’s necessary to “pattern” your shotgun.
- Shotguns pattern differently depending on the type of shot as well as other factors. Pattern testing helps you find the maximum effective range for your shotgun.
Adjust your gun and practice shooting.
- Gun fit, mounting, swing speed, and forward allowance are critical to shooting success.
- Be sure your gun is properly adjusted.
- Practice shooting at moving targets throughout the year.
Learn your necessary forward allowance—the air space needed to make consistent, clean hits.
- Forward allowance looks different for each person based on a number of factors.
- This is necessary to shoot at any practical distance.
Practice with the same loads you use when hunting. Using different loads when practicing or hunting makes learning difficult.