Non-Lead Shot

[Jayhawker]

Don't want to start a fight, but how far away is the mandatory use of non-lead shot in CA for trap/skeet games?

I use my 1960s vintage Browning A5 for trap and enjoy the heck out of it. That barrel won't take steel shot and I'll bet I won't find a suitable barrel to fit that gun that does so I'll have to replace it when it happens. How hard should I be looking for a replacement shotgun or will I have time to wear this one out (I'm in my 60s so I figure I have another 10-15 years of trap left)?

Or am I looking at a problem that isn't there?

[olhunter]

Lead-free restriction is only for hunting.

For now.

[Thefeeder]

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No Problem....find a A-5 made in Japan barrel or a Hastings barrel.....slips right on....shoot all the steel you want.

Also, yes, lead ban is for hunting only. But, there are ranges that are going to steel buy choice or in order to meet local resrictions on lead issues in order to stay open


Wear out an A-5 ??? I have never seen or heard of one that has worn out.

[Jayhawker]

So Japanese made barrels are steel compatible? That might be the answer.

I know the lead free restriction is only for hunting now, but I don't think the state will stop there. I'm just trying to stay ahead of the opposition.

[RandyD]

The Miramar Trap and Skeet Club was shut down due to lead shot being found beyond the areas where it was to be confined. It won't be long before the antis use the tactic of declaring lead shot to be toxic to the environment.

[Huntsprig]

So Japanese made barrels are steel compatible? That might be the answer.

I know the lead free restriction is only for hunting now, but I don't think the state will stop there. I'm just trying to stay ahead of the opposition.

The Japanese barrels with the Invecter or Invector+ choke tubes are safe for steel shot,
I have a 1960's A-5 magnum that has an Invector barrel that I have been using with steel shot for waterfowl without a problem for about 30 years.

[JagerDog]

No Problem....find a A-5 made in Japan barrel or a Hastings barrel.....slips right on....shoot all the steel you want.

Also, yes, lead ban is for hunting only. But, there are ranges that are going to steel buy choice or in order to meet local resrictions on lead issues in order to stay open


Wear out an A-5 ??? I have never seen or heard of one that has worn out.

^^^^^this

However I knew plenty of folks who used older shotguns in the early days of steel with no discernable problems. I've seen "tests" where the worst that happened was a slight "ring" at the choke. I suspect the small shot used for target games would be OK. It most certainly isn't going to "blow up".

[shovelon]

When and if lead shot is banned at the clays range I will have my belgian barrel opened up to lessen the was compression pressure that causes the bulge. This what Briley advised when I had that discussion with them.

[parcours]

When and if lead shot is banned at the clays range I will have my belgian barrel opened up to lessen the was compression pressure that causes the bulge. This what Briley advised when I had that discussion with them.

This is what I'm going to do with hunting guns. I hunt with fixed IM/M, we'll need to open those open to IC/LIM to get the same results.

[edgerly779]

I hope I am deceased when that occurs or out of kommiefornia.

[parcours]

I hope I am deceased when that occurs or out of kommiefornia.

I know it sucks, but we live a commie state. Even when the proof is undeniable the libs do what they want.

And don't get me started on Solar Energy... Same BS.

[Huntsprig]

^^^^^this

However I knew plenty of folks who used older shotguns in the early days of steel with no discernable problems. I've seen "tests" where the worst that happened was a slight "ring" at the choke. I suspect the small shot used for target games would be OK. It most certainly isn't going to "blow up".

When and if lead shot is banned at the clays range I will have my belgian barrel opened up to lessen the was compression pressure that causes the bulge. This what Briley advised when I had that discussion with them.

This^^^

The rule of thumb for the fixed choked auto-5 is:
With a modified or more open choke and size 2 or smaller steel shot you should be OK.

I know someone who had a Belgian auto-5 Mag with a full choke opened to light modified and he has shot it with steel for waterfowl for about 30 years and has not had a problem.

With the small size shot that is used shooting clays I wouldn't think it would be a problem with a modified or more open choke.

[CandG]

What about copper shot? Should be fine for any barrel. A (very) quick google search netted this one for $155/250 (not cheap, I know): http://www.rstshells.com/store/p/26-...Shot-Case.aspx

Or maybe someone makes a copper-plated steel shot, that's more cost-effective but safe for barrels?

[sargenv]

It's already required at Richmond R&G Club, with bio wads... but it has been like this for us since the mid 90's since we shoot into SF bay.

[NapalmCheese]

What about copper shot? Should be fine for any barrel. A (very) quick google search netted this one for $155/250 (not cheap, I know): http://www.rstshells.com/store/p/26-...Shot-Case.aspx

Or maybe someone makes a copper-plated steel shot, that's more cost-effective but safe for barrels?

It's not that the steel shot will score the barrels (it used to be, but modern steel shot wads generally prevent this), it's that the shot is hard and doesn't deform as it goes through the choke. If the shot doesn't compress as the column goes through the choke then either the column needs to compress (i.e. elongate and grow more narrow) or the barrel needs to expand at the choke.

In short, a column of steel shot works sort of like a slug of incompressible fluid being forced through your barrel. Once that plug meets the choke there's a few things that can happen. First, the pressure built up behind the choke will try and push your choke forward, thinning the steel in the barrel just behind the choke. Second, the choke will expand and contract as best it can exacerbated by the thinning of the barrel behind the choke. Third the choke will get peened out and open up over time.

As the size of the shot decreases the slug of fluid becomes more compressible. This is why small steel shot is less of a problem for fixed choked guns than larger steel shot.

Long story short, copper plating steel shot won't help the problem unless the copper plating acts as a lubricant and/or is thick enough to allow pellet deformation.

I didn't know anybody was making all copper shot shells, that's interesting, but I'll stick to bismuth for hunting.