Hevi-Metal: opinions

[cobrican]

I shot several boxes of it. It killed birds, but it sure isn't cheap. I am torn. I like to show up prepared, but I almost cried when I balanced the check book at the end of season. The cost of shells ate my lunch.

[fabsroman]

Originally Posted by cobrican

I shot several boxes of it. It killed birds, but it sure isn't cheap. I am torn. I like to show up prepared, but I almost cried when I balanced the check book at the end of season. The cost of shells ate my lunch.

Yeah, well I am still using the 2 boxes that I bought and haven't really been that impressed with it for the added price. So, I spent a couple hundred on Hevi-Shot to use isntead of the Hevi-Metal. Actually, ended up going with Remington HD because it is supposed to be made with the authentic, "heavier than lead" Hevi-Shot versus the new BS from Eniron-Metal that is branded Hevi-Shot.

Essentially, I was wondering if you noticed a difference between Hevi-Metal, Remington Nitro steel, or something like Federal Blackcloud. Personally, I think the Federal Blackcloud is better than the Hevi-Metal. However, I didn't do enough hunting with the Hevi-Metal this year to completely conclude that it is. Might be able to get out there a lot more this year since I moved to a new house just 6 miles down the road from one of the farms I hunt.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I haven't used the newer "Hevi-metal", but I have used the older (pre enviromental) hevishot, Federals Tungsten Iron, and Tungsten matrix.
My take on these loads is this: They kill birds, but so do fast steel loads when used within their limitations. However, I do like using these loads on geese as opposed to steel as I don't need the bigger pellets and get a better pattern density with the smaller, denser shot......so if I am exclusively hunting geese, I will most likely be using one of the 'wonder pellets". I think from that aspect, you will get cleaner kills with the hevishot than steel, even at modest ranges.
But for general duck hunting, esp. if I have a good dog, I will continue to use my steel handloads. I kept records for a couple of seasons, and I found that my crippling rate wasn't any higher with steel than it was with other types of shot (mostly bismuth, but some of the hevishot and other types as well). I do try to keep at least a few shells on hand for special circumstances, such as that cripple that sails out on the water to the far end of shotgun range, but for me, I don't see a benefit when looking at a 'cost' factor. Don't overlook the fact that a lot of the pricer stuff goes on sale at the end of season as some retailers want to get rid of their inventory to make room for other stuff; I bought a box of Remington HD that was reduced for hunting turkeys this spring just a few weeks back.
Just MHO.........
I guess if you have the bucks, go for it, but if your like me, there are always other things that you can think of that you might want to spend the $$$ on, such as a new pup, outboard, boat, shotgun, more decoys, new waders, ect.
Just a note about Black Cloud: I've heard too many reports of barrels "blowing up" from people using Black Cloud; a lot of it may be internet BS, but I think that in some instances, there maybe some credibility to the stories.....so why take a chance. I think others might feel the same way, as the local Gander had tons of the stuff that they had at a greatly reduced price at the end of the season.

Might be able to get out there a lot more this year since I moved to a new house just 6 miles down the road from one of the farms I hunt.

Congrats on the new home! Hope you do get the chance to get out a bit more.

[fabsroman]

Yeah, this isn't a townhouse. We are on 2 acres and I have plenty of storage in the house and can build shed after shed to my heart's content. So, I'll have my decoys and all my other hunting gear up here so I don't have to travel to my parents' place to get it before hunting. That was a PITA since they lived in the opposite direction of the farms I hunt. I actually had to go down there the night before and load up the decoys in the truck. Then, I had to unload all the decoys into my garage because the truck did not fit in the garage. Load everything back up in the morning and then head out hunting. What a PITA. I am looking forward to 6 months from now when dove season comes in.

FYI - I can always find something better to do with the money, like put it into savings. Just spent $5,000 on a zero turn mower for this place because I am not going to spend hours moving the grass after tax season. Next on the list is a John Deere 3000 series tractor and those things are pricey. So, there is always something else I can spend the money on. A farm comes to mind, but that is a whole heck of a lot of shells worth of money. LOL