Post by: Cougeyes on December 07, 2010, 03:44:25 PM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/nontoxic_shot/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/nontoxic_shot/)
Post by: sisu on December 07, 2010, 04:38:14 PM
Post by: floatinghat on December 07, 2010, 08:29:41 PM
Post by: bobcat on December 07, 2010, 08:55:36 PM
Post by: wildweeds on December 08, 2010, 07:32:15 AM
I think it sucks as I have a number of older doubles that are not steel proofed.
Post by: CP on December 08, 2010, 08:07:16 AM
Post by: sisu on December 08, 2010, 08:34:22 AM
You can have the chokes on the older guns opened up so they can shoot steel. It costs about $85 or so per barrel. Finding a decent gunsmith that will do the work in a reasonable amount of time can be a challenge.
And if you reload steel there are suggestions for protecting your shotgun. You load by vol. so when using my single stage reloader I check the wad to make sure the shot is not too high. One of the suggestions I received from folks here and in my reading. All my hunting shotguns were pre-steel, but I had chokes installed. Happy as a clam.
BTW I see talk of shot size for steel. I will not use any thing but #4 for all upland and jump shooting, but if I am sitting in a blind and doing nothing but duck hunting then I'll go to #2 and BB for geese.
Post by: 10Key on December 08, 2010, 12:04:27 PM
Post by: bobcat on December 08, 2010, 12:28:49 PM
Post by: CP on December 08, 2010, 12:41:23 PM
I shot a grouse last season with a #6 steel shell at about 20 yards. Hit him in the back and the back of the head and he went right down. When I got back to the truck I laid him on the tailgate and after a few seconds he got up and flew away.
Steel sucks. The small stuff does not penetrate. Go up at least two sizes from what you would use in lead. One oz of #4 steel is not overkill for quail.
Post by: bobcat on December 08, 2010, 12:45:14 PM
I shot a grouse last season with a #6 steel shell at about 20 yards. Hit him in the back and the back of the head and he went right down. When I got back to the truck I laid him on the tailgate and after a few seconds he got up and flew away.
:chuckle:
Post by: T-Bone on December 08, 2010, 02:34:28 PM
Haven't seen this posted yet, but beginning Jan 1 2011 non-toxic shot is required at quite a few state wildlife areas.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/nontoxic_shot/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/nontoxic_shot/)
Thank you for the link as in the printed regulations those additional areas were not to go non-toxic until the 2011 - 2012 Season.
Post by: Cougeyes on December 08, 2010, 07:10:34 PM
Post by: wildweeds on December 08, 2010, 07:56:06 PM
So the gun i want to use is a 20 gauge Armsport A.V.M. over under. Shooting steel shot through this gun would most likely ruin the barrel? I've ruined the barrel before by using the wrong choke in a 12 gauge but this gun doesn't have a choke, curious what people may think.
Post by: CP on December 09, 2010, 06:56:53 AM
Nominal 20g bore size = .615”
American standard 20g choke sizes:
Constriction Designation Pattern
.000" - .001" cyl 40%
.002" - .004" skeet 45%
.005" - .011" imp cyl 55%
.012" - .019" mod 60%
.020" - .026" imp mod 65%
.027" - .033" full 70%
If your barrels are Damascus you can not shoot steel form them. I’ve been told by at least 2 gunsmiths that you can safely shoot #2 and smaller steel from a fixed IM choke, BB and smaller from a Mod, everything from an IC.
Post by: mjbskwim on December 09, 2010, 02:45:25 PM
Post by: Cougeyes on December 09, 2010, 07:44:26 PM
HUH?...........All guns have a "choke" it may only be skeet but it's still somewhat constricted as compared to bucked off with a hacksaw and the burr filed down.If your gun has fixed chokes and is I/C and Mod when you shoot steel through them it's going to pattern like MOD and FULL would with lead,if your shooter has fixed chokes it should be stamped on the barrells.If not stamped you'll need to measure them with an inside micrometer and consult a chart,I don't think there is a trick for 20 like there is for a twelve gauge with a dime.
Sorry I meant to say it does not have a removable choke, this gun was used for trap shooting only but i find it works very well for upland game. I just wouldn't want to ruin the barrel and dont have a clue whether or not steel would ruin it.
Post by: dawei on December 10, 2010, 05:23:32 PM
Sorry I meant to say it does not have a removable choke, this gun was used for trap shooting only but i find it works very well for upland game. I just wouldn't want to ruin the barrel and dont have a clue whether or not steel would ruin it.If it's a trap gun it will have a tight full choke - DO NOT SHOT ANY STEEL THROUGH IT!!!!!
Post by: bobcat on December 10, 2010, 05:39:30 PM
Post by: mebco09 on December 12, 2010, 07:02:57 PM
You shouldn't assume that it is OK if the choke is open (IC or CYL). You might do damage to an older shotgun that has some collector value.
Some older guns (later model winchester 101s) were ok from the factory with steel, and are NOT marked so, but winchester says they can. Browning specifically says that their superposed shotguns should not be used with steel.
Post by: Balladeer on December 12, 2010, 07:06:19 PM
Not sure if it has been addressed yet, but if a gun is not marked for steel, I wouldn't use steel in it. I have a few older shotguns that I had to put Briley chokes in so that I could use them with steel.:yeah:
You shouldn't assume that it is OK if the choke is open (IC or CYL). You might do damage to an older shotgun that has some collector value.
Some older guns (later model winchester 101s) were ok from the factory with steel, and are NOT marked so, but winchester says they can. Browning specifically says that their superposed shotguns should not be used with steel.
Post by: floatinghat on December 12, 2010, 07:25:06 PM
Post by: mebco09 on December 12, 2010, 08:47:47 PM
My issue is the expense with my older doubles. I can load, Nice, Bismuth or... I won't shoot steel through them. Now, I also expect that I will be able to add to the safe and save some $$$ in the future.
Where are you finding bismuth for reloading?
Post by: floatinghat on December 12, 2010, 11:06:22 PM
Post by: Gobius on December 15, 2010, 10:28:53 PM
Where are you finding bismuth for reloading?
www.precisionreloading.com (http://www.precisionreloading.com)
They have bismuth, hevi-shot, and nice shot for reloading.