Devon Pheasants in the Rain

Published on November 9, 2019
Duration: 21:54

This guide details a practical field test of steel shot cartridges (Eley VIP Steel and Gamebore Silver Steel) under challenging wet and windy conditions during a pheasant shoot in Devon. Expert Jonny Carter provides insights into steel shot performance at standard ranges compared to lead, the importance of appropriate ammunition for high birds, and considerations for gun/choke combinations. The guide emphasizes ethical hunting practices and the need for reliable gear in adverse weather.

Quick Summary

Expert Jonny Carter tested Eley VIP Steel and Gamebore Silver Steel cartridges during a challenging pheasant hunt in Devon, England. He found steel shot performed comparably to lead at standard ranges (20-40 yards) in wet conditions, but recommended lead for very high birds to ensure ethical kills.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Ammunition Selection
  2. 02:28Vintage Cartridge Collection
  3. 04:03First Drive: Steel Shot Performance
  4. 07:12Second Drive: Heavy Rain & Gear Testing
  5. 11:11Final Drive: High Birds & Lead Comparison
  6. 13:18Post-Shoot Analysis & Conclusions

Frequently Asked Questions

How did steel shot perform compared to lead during the Devon pheasant shoot?

Expert Jonny Carter found that steel shot (Eley VIP Steel and Gamebore Silver Steel) performed comparably to lead at standard game shooting ranges of 20-40 yards, especially in windy, rainy conditions. However, for very high birds, lead was deemed ethically necessary.

What are the key considerations when using steel shot for game birds?

Key considerations include the range to the target, bird speed, and the specific gun and choke combination used. While effective at standard ranges, optimizing steel performance for high birds may require specialized setups, and Eley steel was noted as feeling smoother than Gamebore.

What specific ammunition was tested in the video?

The video features testing of Eley VIP Steel (12 gauge, 32g load, No. 3 shot, Pro Eco wad) and Gamebore Silver Steel (12 gauge, 32g load, No. 4 shot, Standard Plastic wad) cartridges during a pheasant hunt in Devon.

What challenges were encountered during the shoot?

The primary challenges included adverse weather conditions (heavy rain and wind) which tested the performance of steel shot and potentially affected electronic equipment like the AimCam Pro 2i camera. The need for lead ammunition for high birds was also a key consideration.

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