Steel shot will be needed for goose and duck shooting across the country beginning with the 1991-92 season. The barrels of such firearms are unable to withstand the hammering delivered by the harder-than-lead steel pellets. Steel shot may be fired with contemporary shotguns. Modern guns are manufactured with stronger materials than earlier models, so they can withstand the impact of steel shot without damage. The only real disadvantage of using steel shot is that it makes cleaning your gun more difficult. But since most people clean their weapons at least once a year, this shouldn't be an issue for you. If you want to use glass or plastic shot, you can still do so, but you will need to adjust your shot selection based on the material it is made of. Glass breaks up faster than lead, which is why hunters often choose to use less expensive shots for specific types of game. Plastic flies farther and hits harder, which is why many competitive shooters prefer it over steel. There are several companies that produce shot specifically for use with modern firearms. Some manufacturers claim their product will extend the life of your barrel while others say it will improve your chances of bringing down your prey. No matter what type of shot you use, make sure you pick one that is not too hard or soft; this will affect how well it will expand when fired.