steel shot through 70s fixed full choke barrel
- Thread starter vpsalin
- Start date
I have done it with many and no problems. I think the issue is from guys who get their steel ammo wet. (Cause migratory birds are....wet) It then rusts and fuses together. This lump can probably not swage down in size easily at the constriction like lead shot or even lead slugs. I have seen this personally when I went salt water Turr hunting with my uncles in Nfld. They had a doctors type of bag that all the loose shells were tossed in. I had a handful in my pocket for reloads. When I got home, I had 2 left in my pocket. So I grabbed them, and orange rusty water stained my hand. I popped open the crimp and all orange rust inside. Only 1 loose BB came out. I cut the shell. When I took out the rusty lump of BB's, 3 in total were loose or free. The rest stuck in a fused steel "slug". Still, I wouldn't shoot it through a nice older o/u or s/s just in case. The guns my uncles were using were cheap singles and pumps.
I don't think you're supposed to be shooting steel through a full choke even on a modern gun?
Weatherby recommends against it with extra full, full, or improved Modified:
https://weatherby.com/faqs/what-choke-tube-should-i-use-when-using-steel-shot/#:~:text=When%20using%20steel%20shot%2C%20you,damage%20your%20barrel(s).
Browning recommends against it with full or extra full:
https://www.browning.com/support/faq/shoot-steel-shot.html
Also, manufacturers HAVE figured out this problem. Its called using a different kind of shot. Steel isn't the only non-toxic option on the market. You can also open up fixed chokes, but depending on the gun it might not be able to take a steady diet of steel even if you do that (see the browning link, it lists models they say you should never shoot steel through as an example of guns that shouldn't be used with steel regardless of choke).
Weatherby recommends against it with extra full, full, or improved Modified:
https://weatherby.com/faqs/what-choke-tube-should-i-use-when-using-steel-shot/#:~:text=When%20using%20steel%20shot%2C%20you,damage%20your%20barrel(s).
Browning recommends against it with full or extra full:
https://www.browning.com/support/faq/shoot-steel-shot.html
Also, manufacturers HAVE figured out this problem. Its called using a different kind of shot. Steel isn't the only non-toxic option on the market. You can also open up fixed chokes, but depending on the gun it might not be able to take a steady diet of steel even if you do that (see the browning link, it lists models they say you should never shoot steel through as an example of guns that shouldn't be used with steel regardless of choke).
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Leavenworth
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lowermainland B.C.
Hmmm . I have two older shotguns an Ithaca Featherweight and Winchester both 12 gauge both full coke and thought I posted up this topic as well .
Think it best not to shoot Steel shot
Leavenworth
Think it best not to shoot Steel shot
Leavenworth
Bismuth is the solution ....
Steel shot through old chokes has been discussed many, many times...
There is a 'sticky' on it... https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/966587-Steel-Shot-Older-Gun
I have posted the following many times...
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.
In my career I have done these alterations on hundreds of barrels. I don't know of any that failed.
There is a 'sticky' on it... https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/966587-Steel-Shot-Older-Gun
I have posted the following many times...
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.
In my career I have done these alterations on hundreds of barrels. I don't know of any that failed.
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Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Browning says that steel through an older gun with full choke "can" cause a barrel bulge several inches back from the muzzle and I've seen this on a couple of guns now.
Steel shot still doesn't compress, so it still applies today. There ,may be no visible effects for a while, or a bulge may form in the barrel, or the barrel may actually split. One fellow that I know got away with it for years, then the barrel split, after the fatigue was finally more than the barrel could handle. Just because you don't see any visible effects for a considerable time, doesn't mean that damage is not occurring.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Tungsten-Matrix is the solution. But Bismuth is pretty damned close too!
The gunshop tgs now proofhouse on YouTube did a series where they hunted waterfowl with vintage fixed choked sxs guns loading steel shot over fibre wads. No shotcups. Lil lengthy and in 4 or 5 parts but well worth the watch
If memory serves, the British have tested and come to the conclusion that small steel shot at normal velocities is fine. This would seem to preclude waterfowl loads.
Also, Ithaca said their Roto Forged barrels were good to go with steel.
Also, Ithaca said their Roto Forged barrels were good to go with steel.
