approved for steel????

BassMan · 10-16-2002, 05:31 PM

Hey all I have a winchester 1400 semi auto 12 guage shootgun and was wondering if was ok to shoot steel shot through it?? Is there anyway to tell by looking @ the gun. I have had the gun since I was 13 and have always shot lead through it. I want to hunt ee wilson and sauvies island but you have to use non toxic shot , and well the bismuth shot shells are hella expensive! Any advice or the name of a good gunsmith would be great. Thanks guys!!

jb

bigshark · 10-16-2002, 05:57 PM

BassMan

IMHO your gun will handle steel shot. The problems surface when you use a choke that is too tight. Full chokes and steel don't do well in most guns. You will probably experience some barrel marking if you use shot larger than #2 or #3. A 1400 will do the job and isn't of any real value as a collectors piece. If it does have a full choke a good gun shop can open it up to mod or light mod before shooting steel through it.

BassMan · 10-16-2002, 09:10 PM

bigshark.....
Thanks for the info I know its not a collector but my grandfather gave it to me when I was about 13 and its the smoothest auto loader I have shot. It has a skeet barrell and I have killed everthing from turkeys to quail with it. Thanks again bigshark.

jb

kodiakfisher · 10-17-2002, 06:58 AM

Bassman,

Tell us about killing a turkey with that gun...I want to hear all about it. Maybe this spring we can get together and hunt some turkeys up at my place in WA.

Kodiakfisher

Killertraylor · 10-17-2002, 10:34 AM

You'll probably be fine, but I'd suggest having it threaded for choke tubes to be safe. That makes it "steel shot proof" and also adds some versatility to the gun. Most gunsmiths will do this for about $100 and there are several mail order places that will do it (see gun list or shotgun news) much cheaper - and you only have to send the barrel, not the entire gun.

Flying Roast Beef · 10-17-2002, 12:08 PM

I have a similar weapon, an old Remington 11-48 in 20ga. It was a gift from my grandpa when I was pretty darn young. I consider it a shooter and a loaner now. He gave it to me to use. It has zero value as a collector and I know damn well he'd rather it was being used than stored. I haven't done it but I would put steel through it in a heart beat. One thing that is very important, do not, repeat do not shoot three inch shells in your gun unless you know for sure it is chambered for them. Most older autos are not.

Doc Spratley · 10-17-2002, 08:31 PM

I asked a similar question earlier this fall. I have an older Ithaca shotgun and I was concerned about shooting steel. I got great advice from everyone on this Board. I also did some additional research. As long as you do not have a barrel choke that is tighter than "modified", you should be alright shooting steel. Unless the barrel was equipped with threaded choke tubes, the choke of the barrel should be marked on the barrel, usually in the same spot that the chamber size is marked.

k9jeff · 10-17-2002, 10:31 PM

Doc is correct.....