Stevens Browning 620

[D23]

Asked this before but didn't get much response. I'd like to know if it's ok to shoot steel shot out of my 1940's model 620 Stevens Browning. When my dad gave it to me he told me not to, but he always has been overly cautious. Would hate to ruin it, but want to shoot modern ammo. Thanks!

[Rosereader]

Two things are important here, first if it has a full choke do not under any circumstances fire steel shot. Heard a few horror stories about shot binding with the shot cup and causing a pressure spike... Not good.

But more to the point on your old gun... No. It will scratch up the bore at the very least, at the worst it will gouge trenches in it which will screw with your patterns and may very well cause the barrel to rupture. This is because modern steel shot is firing projectiles that are nearly as hard, or sometimes even harder than the barrel itself. Where lead will deform and leave the weapon unharmed steel shot will grind into it.

The previous owner of my mossberg seems to have liked steel shot. The damage is minimal but present, and modern barrels are quite a bit tougher than the old ones. Tread cautiously my friend. To be honest, you're better off sticking with lead. I know I do.

[Thefeeder]

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No steel shot...dad was spot on

Modern lead shot loads are fine.

Make sure the gun is in good shootable condtion before using.

[D23]

Thanks guys. That's kind of what I suspected, especially with the full choke that this gun has. I was just hoping Dad was wrong and I could maybe use it for some skeet where only steel shot is allowed. I guess I'll use my Mossberg 500 instead and save the 620 for the woods