I have an old remington 812 shotgun that is full choke. The old dime trick has confirmed this. I want to be able to shoot the occasional duck or goose, i know that the patterns may suck using steel but is it safe? I cannot afford to buy a new shotgun and tungsten matirx is about $40-45 a box in my area. I cannot afford to be shooting those shells at that price. I have heard steel shot is hard on the bbl doesn't the shot cup protect it? What would happen if I shot steel out of this old gun? The bbl is pretty thin at the muzzle. Also i don't really want to chop it and loose the bead. Any adivce guys?
Steel shot through an old single shot
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Ok, so a little story here. My first shotgun was a Winchester Model 12. Before anyone told me any better I went out on a couple of goose hunts. I went through at least 50 rounds of magnum steel shot BB's. The gun is no worse for wear. That being said, I will never shoot steel through that gun again. And I doubt I will shoot much through it. It's my favorite and will only go through light hunting.
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Your model 12 is made of the finest steel with a bored choke. The 812 is made of good steel but still an economy grade gun. The choke is swaged on the single shot. Not a strong enough deal for steel that is suitable for ducks and geese. (BBB BB 1 or 2's) I think a box or two of Kent matrix isn't that pricey and you only will likely shoot one shot at most opportunities anyhow.
cheers Darryl
cheers Darryl
I have seen a fine old Winchester barrel blow right open at the choke from shooting steel shot...
Here is what I recommend doing ...
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.
I do this alteration only on barrels that are not chrome lined. It usually costs $80 per barrel.
Here is what I recommend doing ...
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.
I do this alteration only on barrels that are not chrome lined. It usually costs $80 per barrel.
IT would in all likely hood handle steel. But as guntech says above, pattern quality is a big issue here as well and steel does not require the rate of constriction as lead to pattern properly. I think your best option is to lengthen the forcing cone and open up the choke to light mod. or skeet II.To leave it at full choke is somewhat risky and your pattern will be quite poor for waterfowl hunting.
I have heard this argument time and time again and through the seasoned advice of enough guys on this board, I'd agree its not the best idea to shoot steel through an old gun.
However, I'm in a very similar situation (old, hand me down Mod 12 and Mod 50 and no excess of $$
) so I went ahead and shot the steel anyway before I knew any better.
I'd say I've put close to 500 rounds of #2 steel through the Win Model 50 (full choke) and 100 or so through the Model 12 (also full choke). Neither are any worse for wear as far as I can tell, but I will be getting the chokes changed to modified at first opportunity now.
However, I'm in a very similar situation (old, hand me down Mod 12 and Mod 50 and no excess of $$
) so I went ahead and shot the steel anyway before I knew any better. I'd say I've put close to 500 rounds of #2 steel through the Win Model 50 (full choke) and 100 or so through the Model 12 (also full choke). Neither are any worse for wear as far as I can tell, but I will be getting the chokes changed to modified at first opportunity now.
IMHO, i've never seen any cases where the use of steel in older guns, with open chokes, are damaged by the use of steel shot. That being said, i would stay with smaller shot sizes. Number 2 and smaller.The other point i think, is ring bulging , from shooting steel differs from one older gun to the next,because there can be a fair bit of difference between any two guns of the same model from the same manufacturer. One 870 stamped full choke may have a rate of constriction that measures .033, and the next as high as .039.One is choked very tight and the other is closer to an improved mod. I have a savage model 67 with a constriction of .041!! Some older guns show the affect of shooting steel more than others.
