Steel Shot and Fixed Choke tubes
- Thread starter nairbg
- Start date
Most manufacturers say anything up to mod is ok. The most I have heard or seen as far as damage is a very slight bulge around the choke area of the barrel. l got a buddy that shoots steel bb's through a fixed full choke 870 and there is no signs of any damage to gun at all.
Waterfowler is correct... I have seen many full chokes that were opened up to "Mod" dimensions by their owners using steel shot...
I have seen a couple of beautiful Browning A-5's with splits and bulges at the muzzle from using steel shot through full chokes.
These were both a number of years ago when steel shot did not have the benefit of the better full wad cups.
I would not take the chance of using a fixed full with steel shot under any circumstances!
I have seen a couple of beautiful Browning A-5's with splits and bulges at the muzzle from using steel shot through full chokes.
These were both a number of years ago when steel shot did not have the benefit of the better full wad cups.
I would not take the chance of using a fixed full with steel shot under any circumstances!
My dad's Winchester 2200 with fixed full choke. His barrel peeled right back after 15-20 BB loads. Very dangerous. You got to ask your self (is life worth the $350 for a gun with steel shot chokes?) Or how about the guy next to you in the blind?
Even my Remington with a Mod choke steel shot approved you can see where the BB's have be squished threw the choke. it has'nt bulged but it has purple marks on the inside.
Even my Remington with a Mod choke steel shot approved you can see where the BB's have be squished threw the choke. it has'nt bulged but it has purple marks on the inside.
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madtrapper143
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#2 Steel is the absolute largest shot size (steel) that should be used in any fixed full choke. The larger shot has very poor flow character and will score and damage barrels. I have used steel #2 for years in fixed choke older shotguns with no problem. Browning A5's and Winchester 12's should have the factory full reamed to be on the safe side. (to about imp mod) These makes and models had very thin tubes on them. Still a Rem 870 express is often availble for around 300.00 (less used) and is completely steel compatible.
cheers Darryl
cheers Darryl
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, 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.
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, 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.
I had my second-hand 870 opened up to modified when I got it.
Dennis, do you think that is still not open enough?
Also, I have an old buddy who used to shoot geese with steel in his fixed choke Browning A-5. I looked at it the other day and saw no visible damage.
I'm thinking of offering to buy it off him, but I'd have it opened up to at least modified if I did.
Dennis, do you think that is still not open enough?
Also, I have an old buddy who used to shoot geese with steel in his fixed choke Browning A-5. I looked at it the other day and saw no visible damage.
I'm thinking of offering to buy it off him, but I'd have it opened up to at least modified if I did.
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MD said:
Pattern it and if you are happy with the pattern - leave it. Modified is open enough so the barrel won't be damaged by steel shot, but you may get a better pattern if it was open up a bit more. It is hard for one's mind to accept that steel just does not need much constriction to perform well. We have thought for so many years we need a tight choke "to reach out there." That tightness just distorts steel patterns. One of the best combination today is an improved cylinder choke..... excellent for lead and upland game- excellent for steel and ducks.
Thanks Dennis.
I've been hunting with the 870 with some success, but I'm colleting various shotshells to do a proper comparison analysis of the patterns.
If I get that Browning, or another 870 (love those guns) I'll do the improved cylinder choke thing.
I've been hunting with the 870 with some success, but I'm colleting various shotshells to do a proper comparison analysis of the patterns.
If I get that Browning, or another 870 (love those guns) I'll do the improved cylinder choke thing.
