How To Tell If Shotgun Steel Compatible?

[Max Owner]

Hey all.

Had a quick conversation with a mechanic at work. He was asking if "this" shotgun was steel compatible. I said no because it was too old. Made before all the fuss of lead.

But got me thinking about what it takes to be "steel compatible"

Choke is one thing. But what about the barrel?

 

[hoochie]

what matters is the choke. Some chokes are made for steel and will give a better pattern.

 

[Max Owner]

What happens if the choke is not steel approved type of thing?

Does barrel mean much?

 

[diemaco]

I'm not an expert, but I've always heard the choke is only ONE of the criteria for shooting steel. Forcing cone length, barrel material/hardness/thickness must also be considered. If I had a really nice shotgun I loved using that wasn't made for steel, I'd be looking into steel alternatives.

 

[upnorth]

my understanding is that's why shotguns have chrome lined barrels... the hardness for steel shot. If you shoot steel through an older tightly choked gun, like a full choke, you will damage the barrel just before the choke. On the older brownings, like A5's, a ring forms where the choke starts. I think modified is the tightest you can go in an older gun, or do like I did and pick up a newer cheap pump for steel shot use, and save your fine older gun for upland birds and skeet.

 

[Shootshellz]

Chrome lined shotgun barrels have nothing to do with steel shot compatibility. The primary attributes of chrome plating are corrosion resistance and ease of cleaning. Whether or not your shotgun is suitable for steel shot depends on the recommendation of the manufacturer; contact them for advice. Personally, I have found it is best to avoid any choke tighter than modified when shooting steel shot and have found the best patterns result with a more open choke (such as improved cylinder).

 

[John Spartan]

Chrome lined shotgun barrels have nothing to do with steel shot compatibility. The primary attributes of chrome plating are corrosion resistance and ease of cleaning. Whether or not your shotgun is suitable for steel shot depends on the recommendation of the manufacturer; contact them for advice. Personally, I have found it is best to avoid any choke tighter than modified when shooting steel shot and have found the best patterns result with a more open choke (such as improved cylinder).

+1

Chrome lined barrels were available long before steel shot became commonly available.

 

[airtech226]

What happens if the choke is not steel approved type of thing?

Does barrel mean much?

Being a soft metal, lead shot will easily squeeze through a tighter choke. Steel shot, being much harder, will not, and will apply an excessive amount of pressure on your choke as it passes through, so a choke that is not steel approved might crack, as well as the barrel around it. As for the rest of the barrel, keep in mind that the steel shot is never in actual contact with it, the wad is, so i don't think you would have any problem shooting with a more open choke.

However, i would recommend you check with the manufacturer just to be sure.

Hope this helps.

 

[upnorth]

see, you learn something new everyday!!

 

[Max Owner]

Thank you very much guys.

I'm a target guy with shotguns so only lead gets used. Never thought too much about it.