my dad got me some steel 6 shot for squirrels because thats all they had on the shelf and no one ta the counter with the key to get in the ammo cabinet ever since i started using the steel every time ive shot at a squirrel ive missed or it was a hit that didn't penetrate any1 else notice this problem with steel over lead?

Squirrel hunting with steel shot is a little harder than with lead shot. IMHO you need to be closer with steel shot than lead shot and you need to be using a 12 gauge.

I used steel shot for the first time today in my 20 guage I was quail hunting at a put and take place, and I didn't get a second shot too many times as I got them on the first shot. I loved it, and will probably switch. I even managed to get a pheasant @ apx 30-40 yds with 7 shot and it went down quick.

distance versus environment

Steel may not kill them as far but you shouldn't have a problem with anything out to about 50 yards. I would try patterning your gun with the steel loads because sometimes the smaller steel loads are not exactly round and may fly funny. I remember when expert came out with their cheap steel loads and the patterns that came out of the gun were nothing more than funny. Their were times when it looked like a donut with a big hole in the middle when we would shoot cripple ducks on the water.

That said I also think you should take into consideration every critter you shoot with lead will eventually die if one of those shots is in it - even if it runs off. That lead is pretty nasty stuff of you look at some of the studies they have done on ducks, doves, etc.

I had someone once tell me that when using steel your pattern will be tighter. They said that lead shot out of a full choke would be about the same as steel out of a mod choke. Im not sure if this is true or not but you can read a thory about it in here:

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6756108_hunting-lead-vs_-steel-shot.html


Patterns

Both kinds of shot are nearly perfectly round spheres when loaded. Lead shot deforms slightly when fired and the flattened and dented pellets tend to curve when traveling down range instead of flying straight. Steel pellets don't deform and tend to fly in a straight line. To compensate, shooters of steel shot should use more open choked guns than hunters using lead shot.

I have been experimenting with upland steel loads for two years now. Squirrels don't react well to steel 7's from either a 12 or 20. Most of the time they are sitting still.

I works well but patterning is much more important, and your choice in choke can make all the difference. Anything more than IC or open I would consider buying a extended choke tube.