Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: 6.5swede on February 01, 2013, 01:48:01 PM

Title: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: 6.5swede on February 01, 2013, 01:48:01 PM: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel?? I've been told be several people it isn't a good idea to shoot steel shot through my remington wingmaster 870 with a full choke. Today I was in a gunshop talking to the guy behind the counter about it and he said it would be fine. I'd hate to ruin a perfectly good barrel, but on the other hand would rather not buy a new barrel that I don't need. Thanks!!
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: Goldeneye on February 01, 2013, 01:56:34 PM: I won't, here's a link that talks about shooting steel from a fixed choke barrel.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/steel_shot.htm (http://www.chuckhawks.com/steel_shot.htm)
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: CP on February 01, 2013, 03:07:16 PM: I believe that Remington recommends no steel larger than #2 in a fixed full choke. You should call them to verify.

You can have the choke opened up by a gunsmith for about $100. I’ve had 2 older Browning barrels opened and they handle steel without issue.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: duckmen1 on February 01, 2013, 03:30:09 PM: Don't use Remington hypersonic loads out of a full choke. Did it once and fused the choke to the barrel. No matter what I was never able to get it out. That was a three inch 2 shot load. Get after market full kicks choke and you will be good with all steel up to 1550 and sizes up to bb. Great patterning and safe to use. I won't buy hypersonic just to be safe. Lots of chokes are not made for that speed. But I never had an issue with a factory full choke using steel until I used that load.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: 6.5swede on February 01, 2013, 04:11:02 PM: I should have clarified that this barrel is a fixed choke barrel.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: duckmen1 on February 01, 2013, 04:14:07 PM: I turned mine into a fixed. :chuckle:Still have the gun and it shoots great just a fixed gun now. As long as you don't shoot loads faster than 1550 or larger than bb you should be fine.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: jyerxa on February 01, 2013, 07:35:17 PM: I just had a discussion about this. It is still as clear as mud, fogs my head lights and IS just plain confusing. I should really KNOW this cause dad was all about ducks.

This isn't a long thread. I kind of stepped in towards the end of this thread and I got a really good answer for me at least at the end. I think it makes sense. :o

Ya just want to be safe. May not rip your fingers off, but how about the guy sitting in the blind to your left or right? Safety is the issue.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,116939.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,116939.0.html)
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 01, 2013, 07:51:38 PM: You might get away with it for a while, but after a while you will see a bulge in the barrel. Full choke guns were never intended to shoot steel shot. Rule of thumb is, Modified chokes will give full choke patterns with steel shot.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: lokidog on February 01, 2013, 07:56:03 PM: I shot #4 to BB steel in my 1964 Wingmaster full choke for 30 years and have seen no problems with it. I did bulge the barrel on an apparently encrusted rusty load so haven't used that barrel for a few years now.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: ICEMAN on February 01, 2013, 07:59:11 PM: Quote from: lokidog on February 01, 2013, 07:56:03 PM
I shot #4 to BB steel in my 1964 Wingmaster full choke for 30 years and have seen no problems with it. I did bulge the barrel on an apparently encrusted rusty load so haven't used that barrel for a few years now.

That load noticably stronger on the shoulder? :chuckle: Often worried about that...
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: lokidog on February 01, 2013, 08:10:59 PM: Quote from: ICEMAN on February 01, 2013, 07:59:11 PM
Quote from: lokidog on February 01, 2013, 07:56:03 PM
I shot #4 to BB steel in my 1964 Wingmaster full choke for 30 years and have seen no problems with it. I did bulge the barrel on an apparently encrusted rusty load so haven't used that barrel for a few years now.

That load noticably stronger on the shoulder? :chuckle: Often worried about that...

The second shot at some woodies just clicked (or so I thought, apparently the primer went off) and dumped it quickly (went out of the boat) to send a third round down the pipe. I didn't notice anything until cleaning the gun at home that afternoon. a nice dark ring about halfway down the barrel.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: Stilly bay on February 01, 2013, 08:16:13 PM: Quote from: duckmen1 on February 01, 2013, 03:30:09 PM
Don't use Remington hypersonic loads out of a full choke. Did it once and fused the choke to the barrel. No matter what I was never able to get it out. That was a three inch 2 shot load. Get after market full kicks choke and you will be good with all steel up to 1550 and sizes up to bb. Great patterning and safe to use. I won't buy hypersonic just to be safe. Lots of chokes are not made for that speed. But I never had an issue with a factory full choke using steel until I used that load.

hypersonic loads void the warranty of many factory and after market choke tubes.

measure the constriction of most aftermarket steel shot chokes that are labeled full and you will a choke that is really closer improved cylinder or maybe even light modified. if you were to shoot steel shot out of a normal full choke the pattern would come out looking like extra full since steel shot flies at a higher velocity it holds a much tighter pattern than lead to begin with. or if your shooting larger shot you will see a very erratic spread out pattern.

Shooting steel out of an 870 wingmaster choked full should be ok. Remington is one of the few pre lead shot ban companies that made barrels that are strong enough to handle steel shot. personally I wouldn't go larger than #4's or maybe #2's, make sure you pattern before hand so you know that the full choke isn't scattering your pattern, but safety wise you should be fine.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 01, 2013, 08:17:23 PM: Quote from: lokidog on February 01, 2013, 07:56:03 PM
I shot #4 to BB steel in my 1964 Wingmaster full choke for 30 years and have seen no problems with it. I did bulge the barrel on an apparently encrusted rusty load so haven't used that barrel for a few years now.

That happens with lead shot too. Moisture oxidizes the lead shot together. Not as traumatic as a fused steel shot charge would be, though! :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: lokidog on February 01, 2013, 08:24:09 PM: Oops, forgot about the limit of geese I got one day by some reservoir in South Dakota using T shot, dang things wouldn't come any lower than about 45 yards, so I upped the ante from my 2's and BB, I think I only missed two shots, so I guess the pattern was still good. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 01, 2013, 08:32:36 PM: Not to jack the thread, but I had to share this story: Years ago, when I was shooting a lot of skeet, a Squad of us was at the club practicing our shooting. One guy on the squad was bragging about how many more practice rounds he could load by cutting the powder charge in half. He would step up to the shooting box, call for the bird, shoot, and the gun would go "FOOF!", and the shot sprinkled down 15 feet in front of him. After the same thing happened 4 or 5 more times, the rest of us got the giggles so bad, he got mad and went home. Oddly enough, he never came back to shoot skeet again after that! :dunno: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: Biggerhammer on February 03, 2013, 11:35:03 AM: I've put a truck load of steel through my full chokes, back when the "Duck Commander" first started making hunting videos he swore by a full choke with steel shot through his Browning Golds. I have no problem replacing a choke ever season or every other season. The price of the choke is nothing compared to the total cost of steel shot put through it per season. Same point the Duck Commander made and he is definitely a guy in the know how when it comes to ducks, steel shot and full chokes.
Title: Re: Is steel shot ok in full choke barrel??
Post by: Tman on February 03, 2013, 11:37:48 AM: depends more on the choke than the barrell. I learned my lesson after hunting with a 500 20g with a full choke. expanded the end of the barrell and took all i had to get the choke out, still trying to find a replacement barrel for that gun.