Steel shot through old shot guns

Gnome75

Gnome75

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My father has an old shot gun that I think is a cooey 84, fixed full choke. He told me it that steel shot will damage the barrel. I don't know how old it is.

Is it true that it is not safe to use steel shot? I am talking buck or bird shot
 
You should not use steel shot, especially buck shot size, through a full choke. You will at some point bulge or crack the barrel on that gun using a full choke. That has a jug formed choke. If I was going to shoot steel through it I would cut the barrel off 3 or more inches. If the gun is an average condition gun, you have nothing to loose.
 
Gnome75 said:
informal clay, screwing around, and maybe take trap some what seriously

Already have a SXP but have been drawn to break open lately
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You don't need steel shot for any of that type of shooting so why are you worried about steel shot?. That being said, the Cooey 84 is by no means a "dedicated" trap gun if you are going to take trap shooting seriously. You definitely need a different gun. Since you said you have a hankering for a break barrel, then you should be looking at a decent over/under for clays shooting and other informal shooting.
 
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gunsaholic said:
You don't need steel shot for any of that type of shooting so why are you worried about steel shot?. That being said, the Cooey 84 is by no means a "dedicated" trap gun if you are going to take trap shooting seriously. You definitely need a different gun.
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Steel shot is easier to come by and has been cheaper from what I have seen.

I assume a O/U is required for taking trap seriously?
 
You can buy single barrel trap guns but such a gun is generally not cheap and is pretty much designed for a specific type of shooting. Buying a run of the mill low cost single shot will be no different then what you have and will not stand up to a large volume of shooting if you are going to be serious. With over/unders you have quite a range of choices depending on how serious you are going to get in regards to trap shooting.
Regarding steel shot, that is opposite my experience.
 
Yes the cheap shot you are buying is definitely not steel. Steel costs an arm and a leg more than run of the mill target loads.
 
Gnome75 said:
My father has an old shot gun that I think is a cooey 84, fixed full choke. He told me it that steel shot will damage the barrel. I don't know how old it is.

Is it true that it is not safe to use steel shot? I am talking buck or bird shot
Click to expand...

I have posted this info probably 50 times over the years...

SHOTGUN BARREL ALTERATIONS FOR STEEL SHOT

Forcing Cone Alteration:

Factory shotgun barrels usually have a fairly short and abrupt forcing cone. The forcing cone is the tapered area just ahead of the chamber where the shell is contained. Altering the forcing cone, so it is one and one half or two inches in length, reduces recoil and improves the pattern density. Trap shooters and skeet shooters have been doing this for many years. It is a good benefit to the steel shot user as well.

Choke Alteration:
Choke designation from the tightest to the most open are:
Extra Full, Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Skeet II, Improved Cylinder, Skeet I, and Cylinder Bore.

Steel shot does not require the constriction that lead shot needs, to produce good patterns. In fact too much constriction, causes poor, erratic patterns, and in some cases, permanently damages the barrel. I have seen barrels bulged at the choke, I have seen barrels where the choke split right open, from using steel shot.

For steel shot, with thin barrels, chokes should be altered to at least Skeet II. Often, over & under, and side-by-side shotguns, are best altered to Skeet I and Skeet II chokes. Heavier barrels can be left at Modified choke but may see an improvement in the pattern if opened slightly.
 
No reason why you can't go to your trap range and shoot a box or two of target shells to see how you like the 84. Field guns are not overbuilt like clays guns are to handle 10's of thousands of rounds so bear in mind it's not designed to stand up to high volume shooting. You might find it a bit challenging to hit birds with the tight choke and lots of recoil due to the gun's low weight. Someone at the club may offer you their gun for a round so you can appreciate the differences and see what other direction you might want to go. Or maybe you'll dust them all with that Cooey like its a laser beam and become legend. Be carried off the field on their shoulders. Men laughing and crying.
 
gunsaholic said:
You don't need steel shot for any of that type of shooting so why are you worried about steel shot?. That being said, the Cooey 84 is by no means a "dedicated" trap gun if you are going to take trap shooting seriously. You definitely need a different gun. Since you said you have a hankering for a break barrel, then you should be looking at a decent over/under for clays shooting and other informal shooting.
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Some ranges require steel now. I know here at EOSC, lead is a no-no. I assume it has to do with ground contamination.
 
Gnome75 said:
informal clay, screwing around, and maybe take trap some what seriously

Already have a SXP but have been drawn to break open lately
Click to expand...

Your SXP is perfect for the above activities. I shoot clays at a very informal club and many shooters come out with their 870s and 1200s and blast away. I recommend you do the same with your SXP and get a feel for it. IF at some point you decide to take it more seriously they buy yourself nice O/U and continue on. If you do choose to use your single shot you will eliminate the possibilities of shooting doubles of any kind in the clays game.

You will also have to check at your local club if they shoot steel or lead. Lead is much cheaper BTW. I buy most of my lead on sale for about $6.50/box steel is usually over $10.

Hope this helps. G
 
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