16 gauge for waterfowl

Dfbshaw

Dfbshaw

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So I bought four boxes of federal #2 steel in 16 gauge at a LGS closing down sale. Completely forgetting that my old SxS 16 gauge most likely would blow up using steel. So, rather than trying to sell 100rds of 16 gauge steel, I thought to pick up a shotgun suitable for the job at hand. Really hard to find it seems. Who makes a cheap and cheerful 16 gauge that can handle steel shot??
 
Any used Remington 870 or Ithaca 37 in 16 bore can handle those Federal loads. Some would advise to open the chokes a little but the factory full will be no problem. I know this from experience not what I read on the internet. Best advice look for a good used 16 in a brand name and shoot away. Thin walled side by sides would be excluded as they can and have been damaged by steel shot loads. Of course the late produced Remington, Ithaca and Browning pumps (some semis) with choke tubes would be perfect.

Darryl
 
Thanks Darryl. Ill keep a look out for a 870 or mossberg in 16g. I was contemplating a single shot like a remy 840 or cil 420 as they are more common but the are full choke as well and i thought steel shot would damage them.
Cheers
Dean
 
Another option is a bolt action ie Mossberg with a polychoke. I have a 16 ga Ithaca. I haven't used in a while and not sure what I want to do with it yet. I'll let you know first before posting it if I decide to sell.
 
iceman2 said:
Another option is a bolt action ie Mossberg with a polychoke. I have a 16 ga Ithaca. I haven't used in a while and not sure what I want to do with it yet. I'll let you know first before posting it if I decide to sell.
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I was looking at a bolt action. My father had a bolt action 16. First shotgun i ever shot. Haha it put me on my ass when i shot it. Taught me to fit it tight to the shoulder and lean into it. Bolt isnt as desirable as a pump so should be cheaper. Found a model 12 in 16 on TownPost for $650 but not sure if i want to spend as much as that for novelty duck hunting. I do like the unusual calibres though. Please let me know if you want to sell your 37. I do like trades...
 
Dfbshaw said:
Thanks Darryl. Ill keep a look out for a 870 or mossberg in 16g. I was contemplating a single shot like a remy 840 or cil 420 as they are more common but the are full choke as well and i thought steel shot would damage them.
Cheers
Dean
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Those guns have the chokes swaged in. Choke damage would be unlikely. Worst case scenario they would unswage to about modified or more open. Might not be a bad choice.

Darryl
 
Darryl. Good to know. I will keep a eye out. Thought they would peel back like a banana.
Iceman2.
Yes please that is very nice of you. Merci beaucoup.
 
Any idea if mauser geha shotgun would be steel safe?

*Edit*
Nevermind. Started reading on geha shotguns and i dont think id be 100% confident shooting it. Too bad as there was one on the EE for 150bucks
 
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There is a gun show in my town tomorrow I may find a bolt there I'll let you know. Usually I find them for $125 or $150.
 
the spank said:
Why not just have the chokes on your sxs opened up?
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Thought about it. Its a old j. stevens arms company from between 1921 and 1945 (according to Wikipedia)
I thought it was a 311 but there is a 5100 stamp on the case coloured receiver. It is full and full (.632). My plan was to use it for pheasants this fall. I had thought of opening the chokes but a couple of fellas had said a full choke was bang on for pheasants.
Its a right pretty shotgun and i wouldnt want to mess it up. Would the thin walls of the barrel, along with its age, preclude it from shooting steel.
Wait, arent there shells with long shot cups that prevent the steel shot from contacting the barrel?
Would that be okay to use.

Sorry to be a pain guys.
 
Your 5100 is a 311 just made a little earlier. It would be choked MOD and FULL. The MOD is likely very tight. A 5100 with the chokes opened a little would be OK with the Federal loads. I would say Light Modified and Improved modified would also be a good lead shot combo for pheasants also. Opening the chokes is a good idea on that gun. There would be no change in the cosmetics of your gun.

Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
Your 5100 is a 311 just made a little earlier. It would be choked MOD and FULL. The MOD is likely very tight. A 5100 with the chokes opened a little would be OK with the Federal loads. I would say Light Modified and Improved modified would also be a good lead shot combo for pheasants also. Opening the chokes is a good idea on that gun. There would be no change in the cosmetics of your gun.

Darryl
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Damn Darryl you really know your stuff. I'll have to call TNT gunworks to see what they can do. Appreciate it man.
 
Dfbshaw said:
So I bought four boxes of federal #2 steel in 16 gauge at a LGS closing down sale. Completely forgetting that my old SxS 16 gauge most likely would blow up using steel. So, rather than trying to sell 100rds of 16 gauge steel, I thought to pick up a shotgun suitable for the job at hand. Really hard to find it seems. Who makes a cheap and cheerful 16 gauge that can handle steel shot??
Click to expand...

Why not just sell the 16ga steel ammo and buy a modern 12ga shotgun? Better off in the long run.
 
I have a few 12 gauges that have taken all types of birds, I just thought I'd bring something new this fall.
And now thanks to Iceman2 I'll have a Ithaca 37 in 16g on the way. Thanks Curtis. And thanks all. This is why I love CGN.
 
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