I am also stuck in CA and not happy about the lead ban. I have killed one pheasant with steel as an incidental target on a duck hunt. Load was Faststeel 3", 1-1/8oz #3 at about 30 yards, and that parrot was deader than most of the ones I have shot with lead. Not ideal, but it worked pretty well. I only have one SxS that I would be willing to use with steel, so I'll either use a Citori or 686 with steel, or HeviShot for the other SxSs. I have not had positive experiences with bismuth, but I did pick up a flat of 16ga when I stumbled into it, and I have a small stash of 20s that I have been hoarding.
