- Location
- Windsor NS, Canada
Im aware that I cant use steel shot with a full choke barrel but what about bismuth or tungsten ? Im looking for a full choke 12 gauge that I can use for geese but I cant use lead here.
What can I use other then steel shot ?
- Thread starter Madmanmark
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
If you are "looking for" I must assume that you don't have the gun yet. Don't buy a full choke gun for geese is my first answer. Most, but not all guns that are not officially "rated for steel" will shoot steel OK if they are equipped with Modified or IC choked barrels.
Bismuth is a good option for older full choke guns, but the main supplier went out of business about two years ago, some rumour has a new supplier starting up but I have not seen any ammo or loose shot for sale lately.
Tungsten pellets are not all the same - an older full choke gun can shoot Tungsten Matrix from Kent, but certainly not the tungsten iron pellets from Remington ( hevi-shot) and Federal. Tungsten Matrix is a lead equivalent, Tungsten iron is even harder than steel. Nice shot is a new one that I have not tried, it is similar to Tungsten-Matrix.
Bismuth is a good option for older full choke guns, but the main supplier went out of business about two years ago, some rumour has a new supplier starting up but I have not seen any ammo or loose shot for sale lately.
Tungsten pellets are not all the same - an older full choke gun can shoot Tungsten Matrix from Kent, but certainly not the tungsten iron pellets from Remington ( hevi-shot) and Federal. Tungsten Matrix is a lead equivalent, Tungsten iron is even harder than steel. Nice shot is a new one that I have not tried, it is similar to Tungsten-Matrix.
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Hi,
I bought a couple of choke tubes including a "FULL" choke. Much to my surprise it is rated for STEEL shot. The materals (steel) used for the the choke tube manufacture must be really good stuff.................
Best regards,
Bill
I bought a couple of choke tubes including a "FULL" choke. Much to my surprise it is rated for STEEL shot. The materals (steel) used for the the choke tube manufacture must be really good stuff.................
Best regards,
Bill
Bojangles, that is very interesting. I would like to know what the actual constriction of the full choke tube is.
I have a Ruger Gold Label that came with choke tubes marked improved cylinder through full, and it also claims that any of them can be used with steel shot. However, the "full" choke tube only throws a full choke pattern with steel shot. Shoot lead through it and it creates a "modified" pattern. I believe that the constriction is about 0.026 inches, where as a "lead" full choke tube is around 0.040 inches.
I wonder if the manufacturers have adopted new, "steel" standards for choke descriptions? I, for one, would prefer it if they would state the actual constriction used.
Sharptail
I have a Ruger Gold Label that came with choke tubes marked improved cylinder through full, and it also claims that any of them can be used with steel shot. However, the "full" choke tube only throws a full choke pattern with steel shot. Shoot lead through it and it creates a "modified" pattern. I believe that the constriction is about 0.026 inches, where as a "lead" full choke tube is around 0.040 inches.
I wonder if the manufacturers have adopted new, "steel" standards for choke descriptions? I, for one, would prefer it if they would state the actual constriction used.
Sharptail
- Location
- Vancouver Island
I was thinking the same thing. Remington makes Full chokes for lead only, and also Full chokes for lead and steel? There is a $15 difference in price, so I wonder if the steel shot choke is made of better materials. My Red Label Full chokes says steel is okay, but my Benelli Full says to use lead only. It seems to me every manufacturer uses different standards for rating their choke tubes.
