older shotgun/steel shot

[foularea]

I have a Bernardelli 12 ga. dbl side by side. and now with the new laws, I'm wondering what my options are. The 2 barrels are mod/full and as I understand it , the barrel with that is modified is ok, but ring bulge may be a definite possibility with the barrel that has a full choke. I guess I could have the barrel honed to modified, if I can find somebody qualified to do it...or just shoot lead and hope I don't get checked....I have hunted dove with this gun where lead use was not a problem and now it appears I'm screwed. The gun was built in 1947, by V Bernardelli, and is the uberto model. Any comments would be appreciated

[2761377]

Briley

[midlife]

I don't think law goes into effect for few years.

[foularea]

it's already in effect for any fed area and a lot of state refuges in my area which is central cal.

[midlife]

Not the state ban. I thought was a federal ban.

[foularea]

older shotgun / steel shot

Huh? I'm not concerned with the rest of the country at this time, what I'm referring to is the new legislation that has been passed here in California. it's a 100% ban on lead ammunition...for anything

[Stewdabaker23]

Midlife- The lead ammo ban is a state thing here but doesn't go into full implementation until 2019.
There are lots of specific areas around the US that ban the use of lead for environmental purposes.

[Stewdabaker23]

OP- Why can't your gun shot steel?

You could continue using lead but its probably not worth the risk.

[mjsweims]

From the age of your gun the barrels may not be suitable for steel shot. If they are the typical softer steel in use before the fifties, they will likely score due to the shot. The full choke side should definitely not be used. You are probably stuck using softer shot - Nice shot, Hevi-shot Classic, ITX Original. This will be an expensive gun to feed unless you're ready to mess up the barrels with steel.

[foularea]

OK mjsweims, thanks for that, I have been looking at the shells you mentioned, and you're right, they're pricey. At this point I'm going to shoot lead on the full choke side and steel on the modified side, until I can locate somebody capable of honing the full choke to a modified choke, which I'm told will solve the problem. Hate to do it, but I love shooting this gun for upland birds so I guess that will be my only choice. By the way I'm 100% on board with the shot of Barry , surrounded by ruins stating "MY work here is done" what a walking disaster he is...eom

[NapalmCheese]

I wouldn't shoot steel in it at all, mod choke or not, unless Bernadelli told me I could. Stick with the soft lead alternatives or buy lbs of bismuth shot if you can find it and reload.

[MeatyMac]

Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles is what I use in my Parker and Fox SxS's when I can't use lead; it's better than steel, won't hurt your older gun and knocks 'um dead!

[Thefeeder]

><

I know your Bernardelli well.

FYI on steel shot.....the larger the shot size the more likly there will be damage to the barrels. Steel shells have evolved over the decades with thick wads that do a goog job with barrel protection.....steel shot is also made softer then years past. The more open the choke the less liklely to get barrel damage.

so what are the options.....Open the chokes up and shoot only #7 shot for doves....have this done by a GOOD smith who does it all the time.

Send to Briley and have thin wall choke tubes installed, if possible so you can shoot IC or SK

Shoot other non lead at 3 bucks a pop

Contact Bernardelli and ask.... Email bernardelli@bernardelli.com ..... www bernardelli.com


I would do the last one first

Good luck...great gun

[mjsweims]

so what are the options.....Open the chokes up and shoot only #7 shot for doves....have this done by a GOOD smith who does it all the time.

Send to Briley and have thin wall choke tubes installed,

I definitely would not put choke tubes in. It would ruin the value of the gun.

Since you definitely want to hunt with the gun I would open up one or both barrels. If the trigger is selective or you have double triggers open the full barrel to C or IC and shoot the open barrel first. If the trigger is non-selective open both barrels so you have right C or IC and left M and shoot the open barrel first. Just a suggestion.

And yes have it done by a good gunsmith. Opening chokes is something that is regularly done - the smith just has to be set up to do it.

[sargenv]

If the gun is worth any kind of money (over say $2000) I'd probably not get the work done... if it's not worth much (say under $1000) I'd go ahead and have Briley fit it with chokes and use more open chokes.. The modern steel shot wads are very thick...

In all of my years reloading steel, even with the larger sized steel shot, I have yet to have a pellet get through a steel shot wad and score the barrel of any of my shotguns.. I've been reloading steel for 20+ years...

Generally the lower velocity you'll fire with the #6 and #7 dove loads will not be of much concern (1300-1350 fps). It's the large shot size at the higher end you really need worry about (#3-BBB) @ 1450+ fps..

Besides, we're good till 2019.. you still have a few years left..