The people I know who are serious about the 20 (2 or 3 people) have laid in a big stock of bismuth. I've never shot the stuff. It is better than steel, but, it isn't lead.
The Ruger DOUBLES I've seen lately weren't selling for $1500, more like $3200. The Gold Label has become a bit of a mystery, maybe Red Labels are at $1500....and I'll be damned if I throw money for a restock at a Red Label.
I have a 20 or two about the place, but, they are just (pump) shooters, and if I couldn't hunt with them next season, I'd not shead too many tears. If we are told non toxic only, a 20 would be about useless for shooting anything save woodcock, in my opinion. And I haven't shot the very few woodcock I've seen for about five seasons.
Attempting to ease my guilt, I guess. There are plenty of grouse, however.
I would hunt grouse with a 16 loaded with steel, or a 12, with steel. Pheasants, the kind that are raised around farmland, not on a farm for pheasants, would be 12 gauge only for me when loading steel.
We have plenty of folks that insist a 28 loaded with lead is just fine for pheasants. They don't hunt with me. But, they insist it, all the same.
Drew, some heavy hitters in the outdoor scene are pitching lead free shooting at Arizona, the usual suspects including Sierra club. Time will tell, but, the opposition is well funded and persistant.
If not this year, when? And, when will voluntary become manditory?
Steel for waterfowl came up suddenly, as I remember it. They didn't care if our guns could take it, didn't care what it cost us, didn't care if we continued hunting ducks, which, I didn't, after the first year. Maybe this time, it will be different, but, it hasn't worked that way in past experience.
Best,
Ted
