Backpacker Question!!

[Zall-x]

A quick question about the backpacker. I'm a newbie to all this but can you shoot steel shot threw it?? the barrel likes thin.

[Fretman]

A quick question about the backpacker. I'm a newbie to all this but can you shoot steel shot threw it?? the barrel likes thin.

Probably best to stick to lead but you can shoot steel.

[CanAm]

yes, but not sure why you would

[TripleF]

In the manual itself for the JW-87 (83) [Backpacker is JW-83], under page one Section 1:

1. USAGE
The shotgun is mainly used for hunting upland birds and small
Do not use steel shot in this gun.

Source: http://stevespages.com/pdf/century_j...29-shotgun.pdf or http://www.centuryarms.com/manuals/p...%29/index.html

So, probably not recommended, but CanAm might know better.

[ShawnC6]

Any cylinder bore shouldn't have much issue with steel shot

[grelmar]

Any cylinder bore shouldn't have much issue with steel shot

It's not just the choke, but the hardness of the metal in the barrel. Even with cylinder bore, metal shot can score the inside of the barrel. Lots of alder shotguns have metal that's actually softer than modern steel shot, and will wear noticeably over time if you do fire steel shot through them.

[DiMP]

I reiterate what CanAm already said... why would you? The only time I shoot steel is Duck/Goose hunting because it's the law. But for plinking, lead is much cheaper to shoot. I don't think you're going to have a very good pattern in the sky for shooting ducks using the 12 inch barrel, so... why are you shooting steel?

[Woody-to]

I reiterate what CanAm already said... why would you? The only time I shoot steel is Duck/Goose hunting because it's the law. But for plinking, lead is much cheaper to shoot. I don't think you're going to have a very good pattern in the sky for shooting ducks using the 12 inch barrel, so... why are you shooting steel?

A guy I hunt with only uses steel for upland hunting. He says why add lead to your meat if you don't have to.

[Can-down]

Good point Woody.

[bobdbldr]

Why would anyone hunt with a 12" shotgun, emergency maybe?? Then some lead shot won't be worried about but these are generally for fun plinking and backpacking animal defence! Slugs and lead shot!