Fixed chokes and non-toxic shot questions

[Sumpnneedskillin]

I have an O/U that has fixed chokes (full and mod).  One of the areas that I hunt once in a while went to non-toxic shot required.  I normally run 7 1/2 shot, once in a while 4 or 6.   I know you're supposed to move up a shot size when shooting steel.  So I have a few questions.

Can I shoot steel 4 & 6 out of my full choke?  What about tungsten, bismuth etc?  For the non steel stuff do I use the same shot size as lead or do you go up a size with it too?

[mossy8352]

Look into Classic Doubles at: http://www.hevishot.com/
On this site the forum has a lot of answers to your question and you can email them for ideas. Not knowing what shot gun you have makes it hard to answer your question safely. Heavy metal and their non lead loads except steel only you would use one size smaller shot. The Classic doubles shells work well on pheasants in 2 3/4 #6 shot for me. Hope this helps.

[lokidog]

I don't shoot the non-toxic, non-steel shot but I thought they were designed to mimic lead in weight.

As far as your fixed choke, I guess it would depend a lot on the steel of your gun.  I shot a 1963 Rem Wingmaster with a full choke from 1978 to about 2003 using a lot of steel shot up to T-shot (once in a while) though mostly 4 to 2 shot.  I never had a problem with the choke bulging or anything like that.

BTW I personally think the only thing steel 6 should be used for is swatting cripples (which it does well) and maybe quail.   

[mossy8352]

I don't shoot the non-toxic, non-steel shot but I thought they were designed to mimic lead in weight.

As far as your fixed choke, I guess it would depend a lot on the steel of your gun.  I shot a 1963 Rem Wingmaster with a full choke from 1978 to about 2003 using a lot of steel shot up to T-shot (once in a while) though mostly 4 to 2 shot.  I never had a problem with the choke bulging or anything like that.

BTW I personally think the only thing steel 6 should be used for is swatting cripples (which it does well) and maybe quail.   

Steel yes but not heavy shot or Classic doubles which will out perform lead and steel shot in my personal experience.