Hi guys, im new to shotguns and was recently given two , a Winchester model 25 pump 12 gauge and a cil break barrel 20 gauge single shot. Both these guns were bought and last used in the fifties . Now my question is , steel shot in older barrels that were designed for lead shot is this safe or not ? I already bought a case of Fedral target loads with steel shot 2 3/4 length 1 1/8 oz. 7 1/2 shot 1200 fps. I've already put 2 boxes of twenty five through with no problems and even asked the guy in the store if it was safe to run , but my buddy says it might not be cool . What is the general opinion on this ,it must of come up before and I did search for it but its not the easiest search tool to use , thanks in advance and I hope things are going good for everyone .
Old gun steel shot safe or not ?
- Thread starter Ernst
- Start date
No steel in most barrels with full chokes. Open it up to mod or IC and you should be okay if there is enough meat in the barrel. The smaller shot sizes like 6, 7 1/2, 8, 9. Should be fine in the full choke.
There is no reason you should be buying target shells in steel unless you are mandated by law or at that range to do so. Just a waste of money.
Steel is primarily for waterfowl only. Some game farms may mandate it too.
There is no reason you should be buying target shells in steel unless you are mandated by law or at that range to do so. Just a waste of money.
Steel is primarily for waterfowl only. Some game farms may mandate it too.
Not so much a safety issue.
Worst that is likely to happen is a bulged or split muzzle.
Having chokes opened up can reduce the risk of barrel damage.
Unless the guns will be used for waterfowling, why bother? If used only rarely for waterfowl, just use bismuth or other expensive non-lead shot.
The are lots of guns available better suited for shooting steel.
Worst that is likely to happen is a bulged or split muzzle.
Having chokes opened up can reduce the risk of barrel damage.
Unless the guns will be used for waterfowling, why bother? If used only rarely for waterfowl, just use bismuth or other expensive non-lead shot.
The are lots of guns available better suited for shooting steel.
Thanks everyone I only got the steel shot cause they were cheap and we are attempting to shoot skeet . Now I'm wondering what to do with a case of shells ? Maybe I should see if lever arms will trade them for something else ? I did ask the guy the same question and was told it would be fine . What do you think ?
The loads you have described are actually lead shot...so you don't have to worry about it! If you do decide to hunt waterfowl, according to Winchester, you can shoot steel loads containing up to and including #2 shot thru their guns that have a full choke.
I probably have posted this 20 times in the last couple of years...
SHOTGUN BARREL ALTERATIONS FOR STEEL SHOT
Forcing Cone Alteration:
Factory shotgun barrels usually have a fairly short and abrupt forcing cone. The forcing cone is the tapered area just ahead of the chamber where the shell is contained. Altering the forcing cone, so it is one and one half or two inches in length, reduces recoil and improves the pattern density. Trap shooters and skeet shooters have been doing this for many years. It is a good benefit to the steel shot user as well.
Choke Alteration:
Choke designation from the tightest to the most open are:
Extra Full, Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Skeet II, Improved Cylinder, Skeet I, and Cylinder Bore.
Steel shot does not require the constriction that lead shot needs, to produce good patterns. In fact too much constriction, causes poor, erratic patterns, and in some cases, permanently damages the barrel. I have seen barrels bulged at the choke, I have seen barrels where the choke split right open, from using steel shot.
For steel shot, with thin barrels, chokes should be altered to at least Skeet II. Often, over & under, and side-by-side shotguns, are best altered to Skeet I and Skeet II chokes. Heavier barrels can be left at Modified choke but may see an improvement in the pattern if opened slightly.
SHOTGUN BARREL ALTERATIONS FOR STEEL SHOT
Forcing Cone Alteration:
Factory shotgun barrels usually have a fairly short and abrupt forcing cone. The forcing cone is the tapered area just ahead of the chamber where the shell is contained. Altering the forcing cone, so it is one and one half or two inches in length, reduces recoil and improves the pattern density. Trap shooters and skeet shooters have been doing this for many years. It is a good benefit to the steel shot user as well.
Choke Alteration:
Choke designation from the tightest to the most open are:
Extra Full, Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Skeet II, Improved Cylinder, Skeet I, and Cylinder Bore.
Steel shot does not require the constriction that lead shot needs, to produce good patterns. In fact too much constriction, causes poor, erratic patterns, and in some cases, permanently damages the barrel. I have seen barrels bulged at the choke, I have seen barrels where the choke split right open, from using steel shot.
For steel shot, with thin barrels, chokes should be altered to at least Skeet II. Often, over & under, and side-by-side shotguns, are best altered to Skeet I and Skeet II chokes. Heavier barrels can be left at Modified choke but may see an improvement in the pattern if opened slightly.
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tactical870
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Buckhorn, Ontario
Are you sure those 7.5's are steel? I've never seen any steel trap load.....
I went and checked and you are right sorry about that its not the federals that are steel it's the 20 gauge 2 3/4 l. 2 1/2 dr eq 7 shot Remington premier sts light target load steel . The only reason I bought them was that was the only twenty gauge they carried , and that's pretty good news because I only have about 3/4 of a box left , I got confused and thought the federals were the steel ones and I'm sitting on a whole case minus 2 boxes. So thanks everyone I learned a great deal and I promise to check my facts better next time !
