When did most shotgun mfrs make barrels for steel?

duckboy · 10-13-2005, 06:26 PM

Quick question, I may trade one of my guns for a Ruger Red Label. It was made in 1983. I am pretty sure that steel shot was no longer a maybe, and more of a definite, so i think steel will be aok in it. Choked Imp Cyl and Mod.

Anyone remember when steel shot was on the horizon for the Big gun Mfrs?

Hunt'nFish · 10-13-2005, 06:50 PM

Duckboy,
I don't think they made any metalergical (sp) changes when steel became the norm. I do know back boring had become more popular but I don't think that had much to do with steel though. I regularly shoot steel through my old Belgium Auto-5's (IC, Mod, and Open FULL) and they are NOT backbored and I've not had any problems with them when using steel #4's and smaller.
If any shotgun would have problems w/ steel, I would think it would be my old Brownings.
I say go for it!
Hunt'nFish

duckboy · 10-13-2005, 07:01 PM

well, I know that the old double barrel guns have thinner walled barrels. Co in a constriction of more than Modified, you are going to bulge the barrel.

I shoot #2s mostly.

I know ruger makes top of the line stuff.

I just dont want to wreck it.

Get Bit · 10-13-2005, 08:26 PM

I have a Browning BPS that I had given to me somewhere around 1980. (Steel was mandatory on all refuges at that time) Its full choke but stamped on the barrel is "special steel". Not quite sure what that means but I've shot steel out ot for years and never had a problem.

Get Bit

duckboy · 10-13-2005, 09:36 PM

hmm, well then i am going to feel better about this then, thanks

snit · 10-13-2005, 09:46 PM

It's all in your amount of choke constriction! If the gun is really tight choked (.040 constriction or more) I'd opt for something else. But the more open chokes like skt. through mod. will be fine. Enjoy!!!!