Using steel shot in my old Browning auto 5 ??

MBiz

MBiz

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Good evening everyone,
I have Belgium made auto 5 magnum with a modified choke barrel. I have read conflicting information regarding the use of such a barrel for steel shot. Can anyone help to clarify. Thank you for your help
 
I wouldn't use steel shot in a Belgian Browning meself. Steel don't compress worth a fook at low shotgun pressures and the bores on these Brownings are .725" compared to our standard .730 bore guns. If ye gotta go lead free, then bismuth or Heavi Shot would be the way to go on loads that ain't too hefty.;)
 
See the sticky above. The gun would probably handle the steel loads with limitations on shot size - the question is will it pattern decently. Tight chokes tend to spray the steel shot.
 
Shoot 3" steel #2. I prefer the 1 1/4 oz. @1400 fps Winchester offering. You will have no problems with that MOD choke. I shot a 32" Full choke Belgian barrel last fall a lot and observed no measurable difference in choke dimensions. I DID THIS I am not advocating shooting steel through Belgian FULL chokes. I am just reporting my results. With modified choke you will have no worries. Even with that said I would not shoot BBB or T shot in your gun or mine.

Darryl
 
I have one here that has been shooting steel since it became required, with no ill effects, although I wouldn't recommend it since Tradex has wadlock barrels that would be steel safe with no reservations.
Myself I wouldn't shoot larger than 3's if I was going to, still a chance that you may put a slight bulge at the start of the choke constriction no matter what with those old fixed, non steel approved barrels.
 
To me the manufacturer says NO. If OK why would they say that
Sure lots of guys do it and they say no effects but how do they really know what they are doing to their guns
Have they had their barrels tested for stress cracking, potential future failure NOPE are the cycling compenents even designed to handle the higher pressures of steel loads NOPE
But if we put a round in and it goes bang and nothing flys through the air or splits all is good
It is like running unleaded gas in my 68 impala
Yes sir it works just fine for what a year , 5 years, 10 years ?? All depends on how much I use it and push it but I know eventually is it going to cost me a set of heads or maybe drop a valve as they slop in the guides and destroy the motor since it was never designed for that gas formulation just like these brownings were never designed for steel shot
Cheers
 
I wouldn't shoot steel through it. I know alot of guys will say "I've been doing it for 20 years no issues". The issue isn't whether or not it will last, it's when will it fail. Once the choke starts to bulge or the barrel begins to split it's just a matter of time before it's a catastrophic failure. May happen tomorrow, may happen 30 years from now. But do you want to risk holding something that could hurt you? Or the guys you are hunting with? Modern pumps are so cheap and designed for steel shot there really isn't a reason to pick up a Maverick 88 for 350$ and be safe.
 
Thank you all for your imput. Following the gunsmith who I spoke to, they should not be any problem to shoot steel. I will try it tomorrow geese hunting. I will keep you posted
 
MBiz said:
Thank you all for your imput. Following the gunsmith who I spoke to, they should not be any problem to shoot steel. I will try it tomorrow geese hunting. I will keep you posted
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You should get this so called gunsmith to contact browning the ones that made the shotgun since they should be corrected and don't know it is acceptable and safe. OH Boy . To each their own
Like most will say a lot of things, if you need to ask the answer is normally no, it is not a good idea. If a shotgun barrel is not tested with, or designed for steel shot, you are needlessly putting yourself and your shotgun at risk. Maybe you do not care if you damage either. In that case, fire away.

I cannot speak for other individuals, but I know I have no interest in buying or shooting a A5 shotgun with a ringed barrel min . Steel and vintage shotguns do not mix at all, as far as I’m concerned. I also had steel shot split a barrel on an old shotgun so am a bit shy now. Some will say no shot bigger than BB and you will be fine unfortunately for me no one factured in rust and water from duck hunting and I made a nice sold steel slug we figure to do the damage we seen. I was lucky to keep all of my fingers that day

From Browning

All current Browning shotguns with the Standard Invector, Invector-Plus and DS choke tube systems are fully steel shot compatible with current factory loads. However, there are limitations to the compatibility of many older Browning shotguns with conventionally choked barrels. In certain models, shooting steel shot may cause a slight "ring bulge" just inches behind the muzzle or irreversible damage or harm to the shooter depending on the firearm. Accordingly, our recommendations concerning the use of steel shot in Browning shotguns is as follows:

1. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS:

All Browning shotguns with the Standard Invector, Invector-Plus or DS choke tube systems, However, we do not recommend the use of Invector full or extra full chokes with steel shot. They pattern too tightly, and sometimes result in a "blown" pattern.

2. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS EXCEPT THOSE WITH T, F, BB AND BBB SIZE SHOT:

The B-2000 and B-80 shotguns with conventional chokes (Non-Invector)

3. DO NO USE ANY STEEL SHOT LOADS:

The Belgian-made A-5, Superposed, Leige, and other Belgian Over/Under models, Double Automatic, American-made A-5 and all other models not listed in category 1 or 2. Note: Belgian Auto-5 barrels are interchangeable with the new Invector barrels which are made in Japan. With this new Invector barrel installed on the Belgian-made Auto-5 receiver, steel shot loads can be used.

YEAR OF PRODUCTION: Nearly all Browning firearms manufactured after 1975 have two letters in the serial number. The two letters indicate the year of manufacture: M=0, Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9.
 
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At my shop I have 6 or 8 a5 bbl's that did not fair so well with steel shot and a few Remington's and a few cooeys and various other makes . In my 1966 ss Impala convertable I only use premium .
 
struff55 said:
At my shop I have 6 or 8 a5 bbl's that did not fair so well with steel shot and a few Remington's and a few cooeys and various other makes . In my 1966 ss Impala convertable I only use premium .
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I hear you my friend.
Wait now Struff55 you have a 66 impala ss.????? Too funny. I knew there was more reasons than your gun knowledge to make me like you :)
Look what I have buried in my barn for the last 30 plus years. Yes sir 66 impala not a SS but a factory 427 bench 4 speed and about 70% original paint
Take care

KgWhdjr.jpg
 
3macs1 said:
to me the manufacturer says no. If ok why would they say that
sure lots of guys do it and they say no effects but how do they really know what they are doing to their guns
have they had their barrels tested for stress cracking, potential future failure nope are the cycling compenents even designed to handle the higher pressures of steel loads nope
but if we put a round in and it goes bang and nothing flys through the air or splits all is good
it is like running unleaded gas in my 68 impala
yes sir it works just fine for what a year , 5 years, 10 years ?? All depends on how much i use it and push it but i know eventually is it going to cost me a set of heads or maybe drop a valve as they slop in the guides and destroy the motor since it was never designed for that gas formulation just like these brownings were never designed for steel shot
cheers
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this in spades!!!
 
I have never seen any conflicting info on shooting steel shot through a Belgian Auto 5, by any qualified authority.
Shop around and you can get internet support for most any bad idea.
Browning gives you the straight goods - don't do it.
 
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