Old Shotguns and Steel Shot

[OneLastCast]

Well, I have been pretty impressed with everyones knowledge here so I guess I will test it again.
The last time I duck hunted was the last year that lead shot was allowed. Now I am toying with the notion of going out and blasting at the winged demons again.
My problem is that I have heard that you shouldn't use the steel shot with your old barrels. Especially if they have full chokes.
I have two scatter guns. Both are 20 years old. A Rem. 870, with 30" barrel with full choke (not more than 10 boxes of shells through it) and an SKB pump, 28 inch modified with considerably more shells through it but in pretty good condition.

Should I just by a new barrel for the Rem? Or can I use what I have with little ill effect?

Thanks for the response.

OneLastCast

[Snake9t9]

I don't think a gun manufactured in the 80's would be a problem with steel shot. If you are in doubt you could contact Remington and find out. If, in fact, you cannot shoot steel through the gun/s, bismuth and or the polymer loads will work great as they will do no damage to the older guns, the shells will just cost you an arm and a leg. :smile:

[bigshark]

Onelast, you should be ok but be aware that the shot sizes BB and larger are the villians for most guns. Your 870 has a thick walled barrel and
should not be a problem with any size shot. That said why gamble. Shoot sizes 1,2,and 3. All are fine for ducks. Want to shoot geese or pass shoot
those greenheads, buy a new shell called Hevi-shot
in 4's. Its available at GI Joes etc. You could get some barrel marking with steel. If the 870 is a higher grade Trapgun then I wouldn't use it. But, if its a field grade hunting gun the 870 will
serve you well for another 20 years minimum. I am
not an expert on the topic, am answering you with my personal experience and my knowledge of what my
hunting friends tell me their experience is. I have found that Federal shells have exceptional
wads that protect the barrel. In recent years I think most mfg have taken this extra measure of
prevention and incorporated it into their products. Don't waste time, get out there and join
the rest of us O-Dark-Thirty Nuts for a great time.
:grin:

[MoJet Driver]

I tend to agree with BigShark on this one. The early steel loads had inferior wads thus the resulting barrel damage. Also steel does not compress as lead or Bismuth. Though there has been much controversy about chokes and steel, nothing works better than punching holes in paper. Every weapon is slightly different and you may find that your particular fixed choke doesn't adapt well to steel loads.

On another note, when selecting steel shot, I wish people wouldn't buy 2 3/4 inch shells with anything larger than BBs. There aren't enough pellets to make clean kills. People tend to forget, regardless of the guage, 1 3/8 ounces of shot is 1 and 3/8 ounces. There are the same amount of pellets in a 1 3/8 ounce load of 12 guage as there is in a 10, I know, I cut them open and counted! The old "what weighs more a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers" analogy.

I haven't experimented with the Hevi-Shot yet, I've tried Bismuth in my thin walled shotguns with acceptable results. I just hate the extra cost.

A final note and I'll shut up, if you do use steel, remember that the shot strings are considerably shorter which requires more accurate leads and steel loses a lot of energy at longer ranges. I have to get out of here now, before I get in over my head and insert a foot in the wrong place. :grin:

[Baldpate Basher]

Hey OLC,

Even if you can shoot steel with your venerable vintage weapons you can always have them fitted with new Rem.chokes or whatever brand you like.

A gunsmith can do this kind of job for you in minutes and it won't take you to the cleaners either. And hey, they even have chokes for steelshot that won’t screw–up your pattern.

Of course, Bismuth and Hevi-Shot will hit harder and kill the birds quicker then steel but, man, it’s expensive!

By the by, I also think ducks are demons. It’s our God given duty to chastise these feathered fiends and,,, and,,,,,


OK Mr. Titus it’s time for your Prozac.

[TideWater]

My Pride of Spain 10 guage double barrel is bulging badly at the muzzle from using steel.

Steel ruined this gun. I'm ******.

[Dogfish]

TW,

Did you check with a gunsmith to see if they could shorten the barrel and re-choke it?

[TideWater]

That's what I need to do. Don't hunt a whole lot since I moved from Moses Lake. Sure miss that place during hunting season. One year I hunted birds 30 days in one season. It was awesome.

[bigshark]

Tidewater, Just an FYI for you. Stan Baker Shooting Sports there in Seattle is a heck of a good barrel man. Where you shooting large shot in your gun? What brand of shells? The reason I ask is that a friend there in Seattle shoots BBB and Ts in his Spanish gun and has for about 10 years.
Has not had a problem at all. He uses 10ga 3 1/2
inch Federals. I know the large shot "bridges" or
dosen't squish down well when it travels through the chock, but the extra thick plastic wads help them through that trauma. Sorry to hear about your barrels. Another thought is Jess Briley in Texas. He cuts barrels off and replaces it with a
sleeve and extention. I have seen two guns saved that way and they look pretty good. Just a thought.

[bigshark]

Double posted!

[ 11-09-2001: Message edited by: bigshark ]</p>

[TideWater]

I think they were Federals 3.5 inch. I do know I used a lot of T shot which I found had the best knock-down power. This happened over the first couple years the regs required steel. I hear they may have improved shells since then, but with the full choke it probably doesn't help this gun. I think shorting the barrels may be the way to go, but that will change how efficient this gun shoots. Right now, if you are on the bird, they go down. Oh well....