Steel shot

[Mark49]

I'm still a bit concerned about shooting steel shot out of my six 12 gauges. The citori, and even my Remington's.

I read all the comments and manufactures disclosers. They say its ok BUT, warning of high chamber pressures, they say it will cause early barrel wear, and damage your chokes. Using #2-4 shot is even less recommended. I hate California's stinkin' no lead hunting laws!!!

So in short they are saying, you'll need a barrel change if you shoot high volume of steel shot.

[ysr_racer]

It depends. Every gun is different.

[pennstater]

Mark49,
I'm curious where you may have read this. When the state of Ca. started mandating steel shot for some upland game [last year?], I was buying a couple new shotgun's to go along with my 1975 870 Wingmaster which has two seperate barrels. One with fixed Mod., the other with fixed I/C. I called Rem, talked to a tech and explained what I have with the older 870. He said no problem shooting steel thru those, just not a full choke from back in that time period. Now, to my newer shotguns, 3 newer now, two Mossberg 500's; one a 12ga, the other a 20ga, both field gun. The other is an Mossberg 930 Field gun. All came with factory supplied chokes. Full, Mod and I/C. All are good for steel I'm no expert on such matters, but, my thinking was the wad protects the barrel from the shot till all leaves the barrel. Someone will correct this if I have it wrong. Aren't all or at least most modern shotguns good for steel? What year are your shotguns.
Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

[pennstater]

True that. It's why I called Remington to find out about my older 870. I've only shot #6&#7 steel thru it. And not a lot. Still would like to know what SG's and what year the OP has. That may help in his question.

[JagerDog]

No, in short, "they" are saying some older guns are not suited for steel shot - unless you want to risk a barrel bulge and possible rib separation at the choke. As a first approximation, guns made after about 1992 and guns with interchangeable chokes are OK and many (most?) will have a steel notation on the barrel, but you really check each gun/model separately with the manufacturer. If the information is not on the the company website call or send an email.

I think many of us have a lot more safe queens and range guns than we used to.

In a nutshell...this. Virtually everything on the American market the last couple decades is compatible with steel shot. Large shot (like T, F) with tight chokes should generally be avoided. Chamber pressure is not the issue, but rather up in the choke region. You won't blow anything up, but could cause expensive damage (a rib repair will generally exceed the value of a new barrel on consumer grade guns).

When it was pretty much just waterfowl, many of us bought a gun for waterfowl (never let a crisis go to waste).

Now (or soon) that it's pretty much everything those light upland guns from the 60's - 80's and heirlooms see less use. For lower volume shooting, I'm using bismuth and ITX (handloads). Higher volume steel due to it's economy.

[Red9]

Hate to thread cap, but I wondered too. I have a win12 circa 1952 with the Accuchoke. Wonder if steel is ok?

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[JagerDog]

Hate to thread cap, but I wondered too. I have a win12 circa 1952 with the Accuchoke. Wonder if steel is ok?

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Not a Cutts?

TMK Accuchoke is a Mossberg term but share much of the geometry.

[Red9]

Not a Cutts?

TMK Accuchoke is a Mossberg term but share much of the geometry.

Ploy choke. Gun is in real nice shape.

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[Red9]

Probably a Cutts aka dial-a-duck.

Regardless, I wouldn't shoot steel though my M12, but that's me.

Really? Will it cause excessive wear?


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[-hanko]

Hate to thread cap, but I wondered too. I have a win12 circa 1952 with the Accuchoke. Wonder if steel is ok?

I wonder what Winchester will say?

[Huntsprig]

Really? Will it cause excessive wear?


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I have my granddad's Remington Model 11 that my dad installed a Poly Choke on in the 1950's
I called Poly Choke a number of years ago and they said with a properly installed older Poly Choke, with #2 shot or smaller and a modified or more open choke setting, steel shot is OK.
I have shot steel though my Model 11 without a problem.

[Red9]

I have my granddad's Remington Model 11 that my dad installed a Poly Choke on in the 1950's
I called Poly Choke a number of years ago and they said with a properly installed older Poly Choke, with #2 shot or smaller and a modified or more open choke setting, steel shot is OK.
I have shot steel though my Model 11 without a problem.

Woohoo great news.

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[Huntsprig]

About 15 to 20 years ago I sent a email to Remington about using steel shot in my 1952 20 GA. 11-48.

This was there reply:

Thank you for visiting Remington Country! We certainly appreciate you taking the time to write in with your question.

You can shoot steel shot through any Remington barrel made since 1950. In a fixed full choke, you can shoot up to a size #2 pellet. Anything larger would not perform well out of a fixed full choke and could open up your muzzle over time.

Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our Consumer Services Department at 800-243-9700, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, EST, Monday through Friday.

I guessing that some folks using that advice had their barrels damaged because I noticed a few of years ago they had changed their recommendation on their website

They now say:

Question
Can I use steel shot in my shotgun barrel?

Answer
We do not recommend the use of steel shot through any barrel manufactured before 1963 or through any barrel having a fixed Full choke. If you have barrels, manufactured after 1963, with fixed Modified or Improved Cylinder chokes, you may shoot up to size #2 steel shot. The use of steel shot larger than size #2 is only recommended in modern barrels with the Rem Choke system.

If you have the Rem Choke system, you may shoot any size steel through the Improved Cylinder and Modified choke tubes. The Full choke tube must state "For Steel or Lead" to be capable of handling steel shot.

[JagerDog]

Ploy choke. Gun is in real nice shape.

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Polychoke clears that up (Winchoke is a different animal).

The choking takes place within the somewhat heavy body of the polychoke. You also don't have a rib. I'd think gtg with #2 or smaller and prolly don't wanna tighten it up beyond mod.

Really...a lot of folks shot steel at waterfowl in "pre-steel" guns and few had issues. Might suck to be the guy who did have issues though.

[Mark49]

One gun is a old sears 12 gauge, 1970. I looked it up once it was made by Winchester. It has two barrels, one full choke, the other with the then screw-on chokes. I have many Remington's new (all in the last 25 years) 870s, Rem autoloader Citri, and many more made.

The gun threads are what make me concerned. The average Joe stating how steel shoot has shown extreme premature wear/damage. I kinda think it's like using the wrong oil in your new car. 40 weight, when the car was designed for synthetic 05-20 Wt.