Steel shot through a Winchester model 12??

evster

evster

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Hi All,

I have a full choke 30" barrel winchester model 12 shotgun. Its a pretty old on, as it does not have a vent rib and I think it was my great granpa's. My question is, can I shoot steel shot through this? Well, I know the answer, I have shot steel #2 shot through it without any trouble. I couldn't seem to hit anything though, so maybe I shouldn't be doing this.

Has anyone had any experience using a gun like this for ducks or geese? What do you use? Is it possible to find modified barrels for these suckers?

Thanks!
Evan
 
H ave a smith ream the choke to modified. The forcing cones on old models 12 are very steep and you may begin to notice some pellet dimpling in that area. Other than that stick with 2's and shoot her. A possible explanation for your misses is that the old style full choke is squeezing the pellets too hard and causing blown patterns.

cheers Darryl
 
evster said:
I just wanted to make sure it is ok to shoot 2's or smaller through it?
Click to expand...

It is not okay to fire steel shot in it. You are lucky you have not damaged it. I have seen old shotguns with thin tightly choked barrels split open from steel shot being used.

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.
 
Safe? No, it's not safe. There will be some risk of damage to the gun, and even possibly to you, so I've read. Most of the time, you will slowly build up damage to the forcing cone and to the choke area. The barrel may develop a ring just ahead of the choke - same as you'd get with an obstructed bore, I guess. It can also cause the rib to separate. And gunsmiths report that there are rare times when the barrel will split. You probably won't be hurt, but the buddy next to you might.

Go to a gunsmith first of all. You've probably got a run-of-the-mill model 12, but check it's value first. Maybe it's a presentation grade trap gun you've got? He may recommend reaming the forcing cone and easing the choke, or installing a choke tube.
 
Its definately not a presentation grade trap gun. There is very little blueing on it. I am in the process of refinishing it, so I think I will take it in to get it looked at. I have compared the barrel to full choke and modified guns and looks a lot more open that a full choke barrel, so maybe this work has already been done on it. But i'd better check. Luckily i've only shot a couple steel loads through it, and that was when I was yonger and didn't know any better. Now I make sure to read up on everything before I try it :).
 
My dads Win 2200 30" barrel full choke blew up and pealed back about 12" after shooting a few boxes of #2 steel.

If you want to find out if you got a mod choke, try dropping a dime down the choke end. If the dime only fits half way in you got a full choke.
 
I had my 1957 Remington 870 opened up to Modified when I got it and have had no problems or visible ringing or anything.

Pretty thin barrel too.

What year is your Winchester?
 
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