Steel Shot vs old Barrell

[jeepster]

If I had the cash, I'd buy that gun from you just so you won't shoot steel out of it.


Hevi-shot makes some loads called classic doubles that are non toxic and safe to shoot through an old gun but are an arm and a leg. I think I paid like 35$ for 10 or something like that..... But it's better than muffing up an old gun and making a decision you'd regret

That isn't a duck gun. That is a beautiful piece of art that belongs in an upland field chuckar quail and pheasant hunting that gets put in a case whenever it leaves the mantel or your display case. Get yourself a pump, but for the love of guns don't ruin that gun.

My duck and goose gun is a one piece full synthetic stock/receiver with the only bit of exposed metal being the barrel just because if I drop it in the mud or salt marsh it won't get hurt.... If I did that with my side by side, I'd go home instantly to strip it down and make sure there wasn't a single spec of mud on it...

To answer the question of why an old gun shouldn't shoot steel is a very broad and complex question to ask, but here are the basic points on why it is a very bad idea

1) steel shot does not compress like lead shot
2) old barrels might be made with softer steel, and while 1 or 2 shots won't hurt the gun (depending on choke) eventually the shot will wear the barrel down
3) steel shot can't be shot through anything less than a modified choke on a gun that isn't rated for steel because of 1 and 2
4) you have to be bloody insane and or desperate to shoot something if you want to destroy the value of something like that
5) in the off chance it does fail, it is simply not worth the risk of possibly killing yourself if the gun blows up on you

[jeepster]

they make steel shot specifically for vintage guns. bought some at white elephant the other day. may be worth a shot.

There is no such thing as steel shot for old guns, only bismuth or other non toxics

If you need a simple answer why not to shoot steel through an old gun, the easiest and most simple answer is this: IT WASNT DESINGED FOR IT

Pretend you are a kid again, and your dad said to not do something, and you ask him why, and he doesn't give an answer... Why doesn't matter, it's the fact he said not to do it.


Perhaps we should make a sticky about this thread?

I think we all know this isn't the first or last time this question will be asked

[Stilly bay]

3) steel shot can't be shot through anything less than a modified choke on a gun that isn't rated for steel because of 1 and 2

Probably should change that to steel shot cannot be shot through ANY gun that isn't rated for steel no matter the constriction of the choke- Because of some of the reasons you stated and because many guns built in the era before steel (pre 80's) are just not made to handle the pressures found in all steel shot loads.