Safe and affordable alternative to steel for my old SxS?

emilio613

emilio613

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Hey folks, so I wouldn't mind some advice here.

I have an old SxS made in the 70s (actually its the one for sale now in my buy/sell...shameless plug).

It has a 3 inch chamber, and I thought, if it doesn't sell I wouldn't mind taking it out for some goose action!

The problem is I don't want to use steel shot,a s we all know steel + vintage barrels = NEY NEY!

So, my question: What is a safe non-toxic alternative for my Ugartechea, that isn't going to cost $50 for like 10 rounds.... :D

Let me know please! As soft as possible, as I don't want any damage to my barrels...

Thanks! :)
 
Milsparro said:
Could just reserve it for upland game where lead isn't so much an issue?
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I suppose I could, but I am a huge fan of doubles for hunting (O/U or SxS).... and it has the 3" chamber which means it was designed for bigger loads I assume.

Mind you, 3" chamber in 1976 to me indicates "goose gun!" haha. I am probably wrong.

Anyway, I would love to try it. I may just sell/trade it for an Over Under or a Semi (newer with choke tubes etc)

I guess I can use my rem 870 supermag for now, but I want that sold, as I have come to realize I dislike pumps :(
 
Hevishot. I only buy it when it is (a) on sale and (b) the factory rebate is available (usually around fall hunting season).
 
I believe that heavy shot is very hard, harder then steel and should not be used in some guns for the same reason, it's main attraction is that it is heavy like lead. Bismuth or tungsten/polymer are the only shot types that is soft like lead and good to go in older thin barreled guns.
 
Nowhere on there site do they state that its softer than lead .the hevi-metal loads in fact contain steel shot as well as hevi-shot.

Ø Hevi·Shot® is comprised of tungsten alloy (tungsten is an element which is harder than steel/iron), nickel, and iron. Hevi·Shot® pellets are very hard and they must be contained within a special non-toxic shotcup.this statement is from ballistic products inc web page.

You may be thinking of nice shot which is advertize as being softer than lead.
 
I would not call a shotgun made in 1970 vintage. You don't say what it is choked now, ie mod/full. I would open the chokes at least to modified, extend the forcing cone a bit and go after those ducks. Since it is chambered for 3" already it tells me the action is strong and you should be good to go after opening the chokes. If in doubt any gunsmith should be able to tell you if the barrels are thick enough for steel. Just my .02
 
Well, it certainly isn't "modern" haha. (As in 1995+).

The chokes are Full and Improved I think (* and ***).

I am NOT going to be opening the barrels, as I want the gun to stay original, and I don't like tampering with the barrels.

Yes, I know its an option, but I am not going to be gunsmithing. If anything, I will just keep it for upland instead.

Hevi-shot seems to be harder...not sure though.

What about something like this: http://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&&section=1187&section2=1280&section3=1489&ID=2493

States its 20% softer than steel....

Thoughts?
 
I would just open up the chokes. Good guns are made to be used and making this one better suited to its intended purpose would enhance its desirability to my mind. More open chokes would simultaneously make it better for upland game as well.
 
tjhaile said:
I would just open up the chokes. Good guns are made to be used and making this one better suited to its intended purpose would enhance its desirability to my mind. More open chokes would simultaneously make it better for upland game as well.
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Really? I still don't want to mess around with the originality. Yes, it is meant to be used, but it is also semi-collectible (not like a Krieghoff, but nevertheless, the Uggy's are good guns!).

We'll see. Ideally, I would want to sell my 870 supermag or trade it for a semi-auto or Over/Under (newer one that can handle steel), and have the Uggy for upland/turkey etc. (anything that allows lead, or coated lead)
 
You can use:

  • Tungsten Matrix (Yes, tungsten is harder than steel, but tungsten matrix is a tungsten core surrounded by soft polymer to shield the barrels from the tungsten. Loaded shells are relatively expensive.)
  • Bismuth (Can only be purchased in bulk, so you have to be a reloader or know someone who'll load a few for you.)
  • Nice Shot.

You can get both bismuth and Nice Shot from bilozir.net
 
straightshooter said:
You can use:

  • Tungsten Matrix (Yes, tungsten is harder than steel, but tungsten matrix is a tungsten core surrounded by soft polymer to shield the barrels from the tungsten. Loaded shells are relatively expensive.)
  • Bismuth (Can only be purchased in bulk, so you have to be a reloader or know someone who'll load a few for you.)
  • Nice Shot.

You can get both bismuth and Nice Shot from bilozir.net
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You mean these guys, right? --> http://store.fastcommerce.com/niceshot/nice-shot-goose-load-ff80818129851ce7012a881c527e13ab-p.html (the NICE SHOT stuff, I meant)

Expensive though, and only in 2 3/4" size :(

I don't reload unfortunately, which is a shame, but I can't afford the equipment, nor do I shoot often enough to make it worth my while or economical.
 
Shootshellz said:
Ben: Sorry, my friend, but Hevishot is actually softer than lead. Try it, you will like it....
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Sorry Shootshellsz but you are wrong. Hevishot is very hard.

They made a version I believe called Hevishot Classic that was softer and designed for older barrels but poor performance killed it in the marketplace. It is being discontinued.
 
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