What impacts the pattern of steel shot compared to lead shot?

The choice indicating that steel shot maintains a tighter pattern due to its hardness is correct because the material properties of steel affect how the pellets behave upon being discharged. Steel shot is typically harder than lead shot, and this hardness contributes to less deformation as the shot travels through the barrel and upon impact with the target.

When shot is released, particularly in a shotgun shell, the pellets spread out in a pattern as they leave the muzzle. Since steel shot does not deform as much as lead, it tends to retain its shape and density over distances, which aids in creating a tighter shot pattern. This is particularly beneficial for hunting because a tighter pattern increases the likelihood of hitting a target effectively.

The other options reference factors like effectiveness at longer distances, the spread of lead shot, and recoil, which do not accurately explain the specific impact of the material composition on shot patterning. Steel shot's tighter pattern resulting from its hardness is a direct correlation that impacts hunting performance.