Big -- Here are some of my pattern numbers comparing Fasteel against Silver Steel that you might find interesting.

Pattern results from a 12-gauge 3" Remington 870 Special Purpose with a 28" barrel and factory flush Rem-chokes (pattern average of five, 30" post-shot scribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, in-shell pellet count average of five, and true choke constriction from bore gauge).

12 GA 3" KENT FASTEEL LOAD
1 1/4 oz #2 steel (155 pellets) @ 1,425 fps
40 YARDS
IC (.009" const.) / pattern 88 (57%)
Mod (.018" const.) / pattern 103 (66%)
F (.037" const.) / pattern 116 (75%)

12 GA 3" KENT SILVER STEEL LOAD
1 1/4 oz #2 steel (153 pellets) @ 1,480 fps
40 YARDS
IC (.009" const.) / pattern 74 (48%)
Mod (.018" const.) / pattern 112 (73%)
F (.037" const.) / pattern 122 (80%)

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

JH, thanks this does help. Looks like these shells like a tighter choke constriction. In the past I've been using .025 IM as the tightest constriction for steel #2. Tighter chokes kind of spook me with steel, think that is due to shooting a lot BBB and T shot back when all the shells were pretty poor. I'm amazed at some of the steel chokes that are available now, .045 and .050 constriction. :shock: Thanks again

 

Here are a few more pattern numbers comparing Silver Steel against other brands.

Pattern results from a 12-gauge 3" Remington 870 Special Purpose with a 28" barrel and factory flush Rem-chokes (pattern average of five, 30" post-shot scribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, in-shell pellet count average of five, and true choke constriction from bore gauge).

40 YARDS Mod. (.018" const.)
Federal Speed-Shok 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (154 pellets) pattern 115 (75%)
Federal Premium Ultra-Shok 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (147 pellets) pattern 109 (74%)
Kent Fasteel 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (155 pellets) pattern 103 (66%)
Kent Silver Steel 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (153 pellets) pattern 112 (73%)
Remington Sportsman Hi-Speed 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (152 pellets) pattern 110 (72%)
Remington Nitro Steel 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (151 pellets) pattern 117 (77%)
Winchester Xpert Hi-Velocity 3" 1 1/4 oz #2 steel (146 pellets) pattern 106 (73%)

I doubt a mallard could tell the difference, good luck!

 

What is interesting is the starting pellets. 1 1/4 oz of number 2 is not all the same. granted it is only 9 pellets different from the high and the low but what the heck?

 

If I remember right a #2 steel pellet weighs about 3 grains, so that would be .06 of an oz. with high speed loaders that is probably well with in there spec's. But I do see your point more is better

 

Patterned the #3 silver steel. They did ok, about the same as most of the #3's we tried. The best patterns we got were Black Cloud 1 1/4 oz #3, and they were very good. Shot them in a SX3,SBEII and A400.

 

I have never found Kent's to pattern better than Remington Sportsman or Federal Speed Shock in my guns. The price is much higher in my area, sometimes 50 percent higher. They shoot cleaner than the Federals and the 2 3/4" hulls (cheddite) are better for reloading, but I can't see the value or performance.