Steel shot in a Beretta 301? Beretta experts: HELP!
- Thread starter Wrong Way
- Start date
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
From the Beretta Web-site - FAQ's :
" Beretta does not suggest that steel shot be used in fixed choke
barrels or in barrels with choke tubes not marked with a "SP"
stamp. These barrels were not designed for steel shot use ".
" Beretta does not suggest that steel shot be used in fixed choke
barrels or in barrels with choke tubes not marked with a "SP"
stamp. These barrels were not designed for steel shot use ".
Pudelpointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lethbridge, Alberta
I have a BL-4 (late 60's, early 70's I think) with a set of full/full barrels that were opened up to skeet1/modified. I shot steel up to #1's through it for years with no problems (choke stayed the same) until I fired a couple of sh***y Fiochi rounds through it that had gotten wet the year before and rusted the shot together. Needless to say, a steel slug does not compress much! What happened? Well the rib let go on one side for about 8" and the chokes ended up at cylinder/skeet, but the barrels survived the stretch beautifully. Had a very good 'smith re-solder the barrels and they look like new. Now I shoot steel up to BB's without worry - knocks ducks and geese down dead.
The steel in your Beretta is excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot steel BB or smaller through it. FYI, NO gun manufacturer recommends you shoot steel through anything but their latest models, it's good for business.
Happy hunting.
The steel in your Beretta is excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot steel BB or smaller through it. FYI, NO gun manufacturer recommends you shoot steel through anything but their latest models, it's good for business.
Happy hunting.
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.
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.
