MIRAGE SOFT STEEL T3 .12/76 36 G

Mirage Soft Steel T3 is a lead-free 12/76 hunting cartridge loaded with 36 g of soft steel shot. It is designed for waterfowl hunting and for areas where lead shot is prohibited. A dedicated steel-shot wad helps protect the bore, while the load is engineered to remain dependable at low temperatures.

Suitable for use

• Shotguns chambered for 12/76 cartridges

• Shotguns approved for the relevant steel-shot load

• Duck and goose hunting

• General waterfowl hunting

• Wild-turkey hunting where permitted

• Wetlands and other areas where lead shot is restricted

• Hunting in cold weather

• Hunters seeking a lead-free shot load

Why choose Mirage Soft Steel T3?

• 36 g soft-steel shot load

• Lead-free alternative to traditional lead shot

• Dedicated wad designed for steel shot

• Described by the manufacturer as a high-velocity, controlled-pressure load

• Designed to provide strong downrange performance

• Engineered for reliable operation at low temperatures

• 12/76 Magnum configuration

• Packed in boxes of 25 cartridges

Technical specifications

• Cartridge type: Smoothbore hunting cartridge

• Gauge: 12

• Case length: 76 mm

• Shot weight: 36 g

• Shot material: Soft steel

• Head height: 16 mm

• Wad: Dedicated steel-shot wad

• Lead in shot load: No

• Intended application: Waterfowl and other lawful hunting

• Muzzle velocity: No numerical value published on the official product page

• Box quantity: 25 cartridges

• Outer-case quantity: 250 cartridges

Frequently asked questions

Can a 12/76 cartridge be fired in a shotgun with a 12/70 chamber?

No. A cartridge with a 76 mm case must not be fired in a shotgun marked only for 12/70 ammunition. The firearm must have a chamber rated for at least 12/76 and must also be approved for the relevant steel-shot load.

Is this cartridge suitable for every 12/76 shotgun?

Not necessarily. In addition to the correct chamber length, the firearm’s manual, proof marks and steel-shot restrictions must be checked. Compatibility with an older shotgun should be confirmed with its manufacturer or a qualified gunsmith before use.

Which choke can be used with steel shot?

Use only a choke that the firearm and choke manufacturers approve for steel shot. Steel pellets do not deform like lead and can produce a tighter pattern through the same nominal choke. The permitted maximum constriction depends on the shotgun, choke and pellet size.

How does soft steel shot differ from lead shot?

Steel shot is lead-free, lighter than lead and considerably harder. A dedicated wad is therefore used to keep the pellets separated from the internal surface of the bore. Steel and lead loads of the same shot number do not have identical ballistic characteristics.

Which shot size should be selected?

Shot size 1 uses larger pellets than shot size 5. The appropriate choice depends on the quarry, expected distance, choke and applicable hunting regulations. Pattern the selected cartridge and choke combination before taking it into the field.

Is this cartridge intended for longer shots?

The manufacturer positions T3 Magnum Steel as a high-velocity load with strong performance at extended distances. Practical range still depends on pellet size, shotgun, choke, pattern density and conditions. The manufacturer’s claim does not replace pattern testing or the hunter’s assessment of an ethical shooting distance.

When is Mirage Soft Steel T3 the right choice?

This cartridge is suitable for hunters using a steel-compatible 12/76 shotgun who require a 36 g lead-free load for waterfowl or an area where lead shot is restricted. The choice of shot sizes from 1 to 5 allows the load to be matched to different lawful quarry and conditions.

Choose another cartridge if the shotgun has a 12/70 chamber or its suitability for steel shot cannot be confirmed. A lighter steel load may be more appropriate when reduced recoil or shorter working distances are the priority.

Expert recommendation

Before purchasing the ammunition, inspect the chamber and proof markings on the shotgun. A 12/76 marking alone does not necessarily confirm compatibility with every steel-shot load or choke. Follow the instructions supplied by both the firearm and choke manufacturers and do not use the ammunition when compatibility is uncertain.

Pattern the selected pellet size at a realistic hunting distance before relying on it in the field. This reveals how the specific shotgun and choke distribute the steel pellets. Clean and dry the firearm thoroughly after exposure to wet or saltwater conditions.

A lead-free 36 g load for waterfowl hunting

Mirage Soft Steel T3 combines a 12/76 Magnum case, 36 g of soft steel shot and a dedicated protective wad. It is a practical option for a compatible shotgun when a cold-weather-capable, lead-free cartridge is required for duck, goose or other lawful hunting.