Nb question - barrel life with steel shot

abalas

abalas

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Hello,
I am new to shotguns. I have a Remmy 870 (this one was bough new about 3 years ago so it is recent model) with 26" smooth barrel and came with modified and IC chokes. If I only shoot steel shot, how many rounds can the barrel survive? I read somewhere that steel shot is very damaging to shotgun forcing cones and barrels (couple of hundred shots at best).
Also, can I shoot rifled lead slugs using improved cylinder choke or should it only be cylinder?
Thanks for the answers to the Newbie questions. I did some searching but I didn't find the answers I was looking for.
 
Your barrel will last indefinitely, even with steel shot. Foster type rifled slugs can safely be fired through any choke except an extra full one. For slugs, choose whatever choke shoots best.
 
abalas said:
Hello,
I am new to shotguns. I have a Remmy 870 (this one was bough new about 3 years ago so it is recent model) with 26" smooth barrel and came with modified and IC chokes. If I only shoot steel shot, how many rounds can the barrel survive? I read somewhere that steel shot is very damaging to shotgun forcing cones and barrels (couple of hundred shots at best).
Also, can I shoot rifled lead slugs using improved cylinder choke or should it only be cylinder?
Thanks for the answers to the Newbie questions. I did some searching but I didn't find the answers I was looking for.
Click to expand...


As previously stated barrel life shouldn't be an issue as long as you keep it clean.

Despite what others say, I have not found rifled slugs to be very accurate. Sabot slugs from a rifled slug barrel on the other hand are plenty accurate. Yes, they cost more but if it means hitting what I'm aiming at the difference is worth every penny.

Mossberg makes a fully rifled barrel for the 870 that can be had at a reasonable price if the Remington barrels are too expensive.

Rifled choke tubes apparently work well but I have not tried them myself.

If you want to shoot rifled slugs your IC choke tube will be fine and would be my only other choice of choke tube other than cylinder.
 
Most people say IC or Mod for rifled slugs shoot the best and yes your barrel will last a life time even shooting steel through it.
 
abalas said:
Hello,
I am new to shotguns. I have a Remmy 870 (this one was bough new about 3 years ago so it is recent model) with 26" smooth barrel and came with modified and IC chokes. If I only shoot steel shot, how many rounds can the barrel survive? I read somewhere that steel shot is very damaging to shotgun forcing cones and barrels (couple of hundred shots at best).
Also, can I shoot rifled lead slugs using improved cylinder choke or should it only be cylinder?
Thanks for the answers to the Newbie questions. I did some searching but I didn't find the answers I was looking for.
Click to expand...

A couple hundred shots?, that's a new shotgun barrel every weekend. Someone is pulling your leg, or they don't have a clue.
You, for as long as you own that gun, will never wear out that barrel with steel shot.
I don't shoot slugs with any of my shotguns, but there are allot on this site that do. Listen to what they say.
 
Cool. Thanks for the comments. One more thing, will steel shot wear out the choke over time? How many steel shot rounds would it take to wear out a choke (if at all)? Doesn't the steel shot also wear out the forcing cone as well (steel hitting against steel)?
 
The steel shot is contained in a plastic wad. As a result, the shot does not come in contact with the forcing cone, the bore or the choke. Enjoy shooting
your 870 and don't worry about causing damage shooting steel.
 
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