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Steel Shot

SW 357Mag
This may be a stupid question, yet I still do not know the answer. I am getting an old side by side 10 gauge that was made probably sometime in the 70's. Can I shoot steel shot out of it or not??? I know whenever I bought my 12 gauge brand new it said in the manual that it COULD shoot steel shot, like that was some extra feature.....I was just wondering if an older gun like that could shoot it......sorry i don't know too much about shotguns......also what about tungsten??? is that harder than steel??? Thanks for the help


Asked on other forum didn't get many responses.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • SW 357Mag
    Yes, a post regarding guns.

    Is it okay to shoot steel shot through a full choke barrel? I bought some #2 steel shot magnum loads for dirt cheap.
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  • SW 357Mag
    I was at Walmart last night and they had clearanced out all of their steel shotgun loads. Winchester High Velocity to be precise. I took advantage and bought all 32 boxes they had for $3.00 and $3.50 a box. They had some other to, ranging up to $11 a box. They also had some BBB size $14.97 marked down to $5.00. I just took all they had of the two cheapest priced. $3 was #2 shot and $3.50 was #1 shot. I figured it was cheaper than the low brass birdshot I normally plink around with.

    Once I got home, I remembered someone saying steel shortens the barrel life. Is this true? Any precautions I should take?

    Thanks
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  • SW 357Mag
    Is it safe to shoot steel out of any modern shotgun barrel?
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  • duckhunter
    Depends on your gun. What make do you have??
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  • Chief Shaway
    I wouldn't. The steel is much harder than lead and it will open up the choke of your gun. If it is a gun that you don't care about, like a Moss. than go for it. If it is a Wingmaster or older double barrel than I would say NO.
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  • Huntingnerd33
    I've heard it's best not to.
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  • flyingtorpedo
    quote:Originally posted by Huntingnerd33
    I've heard it's best not to.


    +1
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  • SW 357Mag
    Alright, thanks for the replies. I'll stick with the two modified choke guns.
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  • linthicum
    Even if you do shoot steel shot out of a full choke, you pattern will not open up. Until about a box or two of ammo has been shot out of it. Then your pattern will open up along with your choke (instant modified).
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  • dakotashooter2
    There are opposing thoughts on this matter. My understanding is that it is always advised that LARGE shot not be fired through a full choke barrel. I'm not sure the LARGE shot in that statement has ever been specifically defined but the interpretation I have heard has always been shot sizes starting with BB and up.

    That statement was initially published when steel shot first came out however as those shotshells improved in design there are those that feel the statement is no longer accurate.

    quote:Even if you do shoot steel shot out of a full choke, you pattern will not open up. That is 1/2 true. You will not get a true full choke pattern you will get the eqivalent of an X-full pattern. Steel produces a tighter pattern because the pellets do not deform like lead as they pass through the choke. They therefore are more aerodynamic and fly straighter. It has always been advised to reduce your choke by at least one step to produce lead equivalent patterns.

    The final decision is up to you. If in dobt don't do it.
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