i recently purchased a 12g continental side by side, i was wondering if it is able to shoot steel. My knowledge is lead is more maleable and soft,steel is harder and will damage the barell over time. Is there any test or indications that my gun will be able to shoot steel?
can i shoot steel?
- Thread starter bigredchev
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Have the chokes measured. If choke is tighter than .025" in 12 ga, ( light modified) don't shoot steel out of older, thin-walled barrels. Chokes can be opened by any competent gunsmith for about $50 per tube. Barrel bulging at the choke is also much more likely from shooting large shot, sizes greater than #2. Scoring or scratching from stray pellets outside the shotcup cannot be avoided, but is not a major problem and it would take years of shooting to make much difference if you shoot good shells to begin with.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
Longwalker gave a good straightforward answer. I must admit that Euro doubles have soft steel and are not the best choice for steel shot usage. Having said that it will shoot steel with the modifications mentioned.
regards, Darryl
regards, Darryl
It's perfectly fine for shooting upland birds and small game with lead shot. And, if you only hunt migratory birds occasionally, you can use tungsten matrix or bismuth shells. These lead substitutes can cost as much as $10 a box more than steel, but who cares unless you plan to shoot over water a lot (How many boxes of shells do you go through for duck hunting purposes in a season?)
EDIT: What am I talking about??!!??
Check the chamber length. If it's 2 1/2", disregard what I said above about lead substitutes - you won't find them in anything shorter than 2 3/4" shells. Also, if the chambers are 2 1/2", you have to be careful about using ANY modern ammunition employing smokeless (nitro) powders. Low pressure nitro or black powder only through most of those older guns.
EDIT: What am I talking about??!!??
Check the chamber length. If it's 2 1/2", disregard what I said above about lead substitutes - you won't find them in anything shorter than 2 3/4" shells. Also, if the chambers are 2 1/2", you have to be careful about using ANY modern ammunition employing smokeless (nitro) powders. Low pressure nitro or black powder only through most of those older guns.
Last edited:
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
It's perfectly fine for shooting upland birds and small game with lead shot. And, if you only hunt migratory birds occasionally, you can use tungsten matrix or bismuth shells. These lead substitutes can cost as much as $10 a box more than steel, but who cares unless you plan to shoot over water a lot (How many boxes of shells do you go through for duck hunting purposes in a season?)
EDIT: What am I talking about??!!??:eek:
Hope you are not having a restless day at work i.e. in anticipation of the upcoming season
Wooo, you missed your calling - you read my mind. That's exactly my problem - I can't focus on anything, I'm so racked with anticipation. Season opens Monday in the MMU that we hunt. Hope I can still shoot after going all weekend without sleep!
