Brno 12g

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black alder

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Looking to pick up a used BRNO 12g from Tradex. The one that I am looking at has mod/mod chokes
I was hoping to use this for steel shot. Will I have any problems shooting steel through this gun.I realize that shooting steel will make the chokes comparable to full choke if using lead. I would imagine since it is a older gun imported from Europe it will only handle 2 3/4 shotshells
This will be a SXS so I imagine if there is any possibility of barrel bulging due to steel shot, possibly the center rib could seperate from the barrels
Thanks
 
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Obviously, the overall condition of the firearm, specially the bbls + current choke compatibility with steel shot (as far that particular set of bbls is concerned) will need to be determined by a competent smith.

One may also wish to take into consideration some other factors such as....

- the overall condition of the stock
- how the consistent use of heavy steel loads (even 2 3/4in) moving 1300fps and over will affect the inletting of an already old(er) stock of the sidelock shotgun.
- recoil with heavy loads due to the fact that that BRNO wiil be comparatively lighter in the role of a Waterfowl gun
- the use of other type(s) of non-tox cartridges (example: Tungsten Matrix) could be an expensive option. Still may adversely affect the stock.

May not be entirely out of place to add, the BRNO sxs will make a great Upland gun.
 
Why not ask the gents (Tony and Anthony) who are selling these your concerns?
I think the old chap is a wealth of info.
Don't hurt to ask.
Cheers.
 
Just a suspicion, but because it is choked mod and mod, it may have already been altered in an attempt to make it take steel. Although not my cup of tea, these gun are usually well made and suitable for upland hunting.
 
Those Brno's were available choked modified/modified, modified/ improved modified, modified/full and I saw one once that was apparently un- tampered with that was choked improved cylinder/improved cylinder or the european equivalent. If mine doesn't sell I am going to get it reamed out to skeet and light modified.

I would avoid steel shot with all but the most open chokes and only a very limited diet of steel as the gun could conceivably as AA pointed out damage the inletting with the excessive recoil over time.
 
Checked with Anthony at Tradex and he says it is not recommended to shoot steel through the BRNO gun I was interested in. I did mention to him that the particular gun was choked mod/mod.
 
I have owned five Brno sidelocks, my current .16 was made in '66 choked ic and mod. Just my opinion, but I would never shoot steel through it. We're talking old world craftsmanship and materials made the way they used to do it, long before steel was even thought of. I have no empirical evidence, but my guess is that steel would wreck the gun, which would be a true shame, as in my opinion they are one of the great sleeper guns ever made.

Some day some shotgun guru is going to write them up in some glossy mag and the price will go through the roof, soon as people realize the level of quality that these guns represent.
 
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