i know this subject has been beaten to death numerous times, but i'm gonna ask anyways. i have a '69 vintage Auto 5 Magnum 20 ga. I would like to use it for a duck hunt or two this fall. it is of course a full choke. i know steel shot and a full choke are most often a harmful combination. however, every case i know of that resulted in bulged or blown barrels involved B or bigger sized shot. years ago i used a lot of #4 steel in an old full choked Stevens 820b, never causing any damage, with the understanding that #4 is too small to bridge when it passes through a full choke, but i'd be rolling the dice using anything larger. now in theory should that not also apply to my A5? i'm well aware that Browning says no steel shot in any Belgian gun, and have heard to other side of guys who've gotten away with it for years. Kent Tungsten Matrix is the only shell of its kind available locally but at $28 for 10 isn't really a viable option. and i do have other steel safe guns, but i shoot my best with this old 20.
steel shot, full chokes & bridging
- Thread starter kevin.303
- Start date
Hmmmmm I hadn't considered that but it does make sense. I asked this question on other forums and from the answers I've got I'll just bite the bullet and get some kent TM. I reamed out a 3 inch wingmaster 12 for steel use, so no its not worth risking my favourite gun, just thought I might have found an angle that worked.
Take a look for the non-toxic heavy soft metal shot options like bismuth, hevi-shot, etc. Some non-toxic options are designed for use in old guns (i.e British SxS doubles). I don't have any info to hand at the moment, but there are options other than steel. They are all, however, rather expensive. That said, it might be time to consider investing in reloading for specialty shotshells, which should be cheaper than factory loads.
No steel in A5 was due to ribs falling off not chokes when steel 1st came out it was common with guys that used the guns for duck hunting with steel not the 25 round a year guys.This is about sxs but read it since the A-5 falls into the same group.
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=206592
madtrapper143
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A FULL choked A 5 20 Magnum is pretty much a limited use gun in today's hunting scene. ( short of turkey and shooting brutally expensive no tox ammo) My friend had his Belgian 3" twenty eased out to IMP MOD. Still shot very tight patterns and was steel safe. ( with 3's and 4's) The alteration was invisible. I don't feel that it reduced the value of the firearm and may have increased it. Just a suggestion.
Darryl
Darryl
I've got a 20 ga 1100 Full gun which I had opened up to the tight end of Imp Cyl. And the biggest steel shot I use is #4. Works over decoys.
But if you have a 12, you're much further ahead using it. You can get higher steel velocities from a 12 easily, than are even possible out of a 20.
But if you have a 12, you're much further ahead using it. You can get higher steel velocities from a 12 easily, than are even possible out of a 20.
Exactly, but some people still need to be told "No".
I am not saying the OP is this type of person, but rather is looking for someone who has the same gun/vintage and may have positive results to share such results.
I have a buddy who has one (A-5 in 12 gauge) that was in mint shape , only shot on "special days only " I was with him back in 1990 when he bought it from a retiring Sheriff.
The short of it is, we went south and bought a steel shot compatible barrel at Kesselrings in Wa. State , now there is a possible solution if you do not want to open up that choke using a reputable gunsmith to do the job.
Sounds simple to me unless of course you want to by that expensive hvy shot ???
Tight Patterns,
Rob
