Magnum lead shot vs. regular lead shot

[Maurice]

     Just bought a bag of #6 magnum lead shot for my soon to be completed 20-gauge flintlock fowler. I did not know that there was a difference between magnum shot (harder) and regular lead shot (softer) until I read a couple of posts.

     For those who have experience with both shot types, is one preferable over the other? Any consequences to the gun barrel with the harder shot? Or is the difference insignificant? I do not have any experience shooting a flintlock fowler.

[Mike Brooks]

You'll shoot tighter patterns with magnum shot. Less deformation.

[Hungry Horse]

 Don’t tell’s that Mike. All the good deals on that nasty hard shot will dry up.

Hungry Horse

[Mike Brooks]

Go plated if you want really nice patterns. Heck, I can't afford a bag of shot anymore!

[wattlebuster]

Ive shot regular, magnum and the copper plated an just like Mike says you will get a tad better pattern with the harder and plated shot. I have not seen any negative results using the harder shot such as scaring the barrel. My smoothbore barrels are like mirrors inside after cleaning

[Prairie dog shooter]

And the plated shot will not pull feathers into the meat as much as soft shot.