Steel shot out of A-5 Belgian barrel?
- Thread starter MD
- Start date
browning did use softer steel in their auto 5's and perhaps it's better to have the barrell opened up a bit more than modified. i've shot an auto 5 that i opened from full choke to skeetII for a few years and there is no sign of bulging at all. i don't shoot anything larger than BB and usually it's 2's and 3's. the more open choke , more than modified seems to produce excellent patterns in the smaller shot sizes
gunasauras
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I'ld shoot it with steel.....
Shotgun Barrel Alterations For Steel Shot
Open the choke up - there is no benefit to having a modified choke for steel shot...
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.
Open the choke up - there is no benefit to having a modified choke for steel shot...
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.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
Browning is wisely following lawyers advice. If they said it was safe some idoit would load it with steel ball bearings to hunt bears with. I think a mod in a belgian browning is still pretty tight but should not be a hazard to use with 2,3 or 4 steel. It may well be too tight to throw patterns respective of the mod marking. I have found (hours on the patterning board) that steel 3's and 4's pattern much like their lead counterparts. Just don't be tempted to send some BBB's or T's down the bore for that long range goose. Buy some Tungsten Matrix Kent 1's for that job.
cheers Darryl
cheers Darryl
