All subsistence waterfowl hunters in Alaska are also required to use non-toxic shot such as steel shot. Some of the early non-toxic shot alternatives had some problems. Steel shot behaves differently than lead shot, so many hunters felt it was ineffective. Also the price of steel shot was quite a bit higher than lead shot. Hunters were also concerned steel shot would damage their gun barrels.
Steel shot is harder and lighter than lead.
To compensate for these differences, hunters need to use two sizes larger steel shot than when using lead. At any given distance from the gun, steel loads generally have a more dense shot pattern. To compensate for this, hunters can use a more open choke. The price of steel shot, like all consumer goods, is the result of supply and demand. As more non-toxic shot is used, prices will continue to drop.