Shotgun question re:steel shot

[bigcatonhd]

A pal of mine is bugging me to duck hunt with him this year. I started poking around in the safe to see what I could shoot besides my clays shotguns and all I found was an older Browning BPS with a fixed (full) choke. Can I safely shoot steel shot with a full choke? Seems I read/heard something to that effect some time ago. Thanks in advance.

 

[Spotteddog]

A couple of very knowledgeable Forum shot gunners put me straight about the dangers of steel shot in the wrong guns a few weeks ago in the ammo section.
If I can track down the thread I'll post a link to it as an edit.

(EDIT)
http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/106062-federal-16ga-7-8oz-lead-bb-shot.html

 

[handejector]

I fired my last steel shot at ducks many years ago.
Spend at least $25-50 and buy some good alternative.

I have knocked ducks sideways, and even turned some upside down, watching feathers scatter in a full 360 degrees around them, only to fly away out of sight.

I shot a beaver with ELEVEN rds of 3-1/2 inch 10 ga steel TT shot, most at rather short range. ALL were good hits! I finally recovered him, but I'm not sure he didn't drown from the weight.
That was the last day I used steel shot.
Grisly business.

What I had left was used on clay birds, and I'm not sure that is humane.....

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

It's probably safe with smaller shot (less that 3) but I wouldn't do it as you will probably get a blown pattern. I started out using an IC choke with steel but have been shooting with skeet bored tubes for the past 10 years using #3 shot in both a 12 & 20 with very good results. Since that is not an option with you unless you are going to buy a new gun or barrel, do what Lee suggests and get some of the alternative non toxic shot-it's expensive but it will do nicely. As a cheap old fart myself, I stick with steel. Or you can always do what a lot of the old boys down here do..............

Given the fact that Louisiana does not have a fall turkey season, it never ceases to amaze me at how many boxes of 3" and 3.5" #5 lead turkey loads are in stock in the various stores down here around this time of year

 

[Damn Yankee]

This is from the Hevi-Shot Web Site.

HEVI-Shot® Duck FAQ's:

Q: I'm looking for a good duck load I shoot 2-3/4 #4 always have and always will. The problem is I do not like steel. I need to know what your shot is made of. I shoot O/U and I don't want to tear up a long time favorite gun. I shoot 12,20 and 28 and I hunt duck,goose,most upland birds and turkey.

A: We have the complete line-up for you with Classic Doubles: 12, 16, 20, 28, and 410 gauges; 2 ¾-inch shotshells loaded to 1150 fps for very light recoil; high density Classic Doubles pellets which are safe for any gun (old or new). You will love these products; they bring back the lead days (but in a completely nontoxic way).

 

[bigcatonhd]

Okay...let me see if I understand what ya'll are saying...BTW...I understand COMPLETELY what Caj is saying!!! It's okay to use one of the steel alternatives in this gun without a problem other than possibly a lousy pattern? I called Brownings Customer Service and they said it was okay in a barrel choked modified or improved but NOT full. They didn't mention the alternative shot. Since I'm a broke tractor salesman it's cheaper for me to buy the alternative shot rather than a new barrel or a new gun for what may be a dismal SC duck season anyway. What are the alternatives? Bismuth?

Thanks for all the replies...I trust ya'll more than Browning

 

[OKFC05]

Can I safely shoot steel shot with a full choke?

If this is exactly what you asked Browning, then "No" is the correct answer. Steel will damage the full choke barrel.

Bismuth probably won't damage anything.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I fired my last steel shot at ducks many years ago.
Spend at least $25-50 and buy some good alternative.

I have knocked ducks sideways, and even turned some upside down, watching feathers scatter in a full 360 degrees around them, only to fly away out of sight.

I shot a beaver with ELEVEN rds of 3-1/2 inch 10 ga steel TT shot, most at rather short range. ALL were good hits! I finally recovered him, but I'm not sure he didn't drown from the weight.
That was the last day I used steel shot.
Grisly business.

What I had left was used on clay birds, and I'm not sure that is humane.....

What he said GDsteelshot is one word...

 

[jgh4445]

I don't get it. I can stand knee deep in a beaver pond and shoot ducks and I have to use steel or non toxic pellets. I can stand in the exact same spot and shoot squirrels, dove, turkey or any other critter in season with lead. Go figure.

 

[Class III]

Okay... What are the alternatives? Bismuth?

The alternatives to steel are bismuth, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-nickel-iron (HEVI-SHOT), tungsten-iron-nickel-tin (TINT), tungsten-bronze, and tungsten-tin-bismuth. For my money I go with the Hevi-Shot. It has been improved much over the last few years and is WAY better than steel. If you look at it on a cost per shell basis the steel wins every time over the other approved non toxic shot. If you look at it on a cost per bird basis the cost gap is reduced significantly. But, I still yearn for the days of 2-3/4" Hi-Brass #6 LEAD. It was deadly on all but the largest ducks, plus I could shoot it out of my 30" full choked Win Mdl 12.

Class III

 

[venomballistics]

I think the best show in town here is to get a rem 870 or a mos 500 or 590 and replacement barrels.
they are common so its more a learning experience if bad happens than it is a loss.
at any rate... check out the bismuth and tungsten offerings.
no water fowl hunters ever swore by steel, but most have sworn at it.
many hung up their guns after steel became mandatory deeming it inhumane and inadequate.
tungsten has higher density than lead ... so we finally have something that can replace lead, if not, outperform it

 

[venomballistics]

I think the best show in town here is to get a rem 870 or a mos 500 or 590 and replacement barrels.
they are common so its more a learning experience if bad happens than it is a loss.
at any rate... check out the bismuth and tungsten offerings.
no water fowl hunters ever swore by steel, but most have sworn at it.
many hung up their guns after steel became mandatory deeming it inhumane and inadequate.
tungsten has higher density than lead ... so we finally have something that can replace lead, if not, outperform it

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

The alternatives to steel are bismuth, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-nickel-iron (HEVI-SHOT), tungsten-iron-nickel-tin (TINT), tungsten-bronze, and tungsten-tin-bismuth. For my money I go with the Hevi-Shot. It has been improved much over the last few years and is WAY better than steel. If you look at it on a cost per shell basis the steel wins every time over the other approved non toxic shot. If you look at it on a cost per bird basis the cost gap is reduced significantly. But, I still yearn for the days of 2-3/4" Hi-Brass #6 LEAD. It was deadly on all but the largest ducks, plus I could shoot it out of my 30" full choked Win Mdl 12.Class III

True dat my brother, true dat!!!!-or in my case shooting 3" mag 20 gauge #5's out of a Browning A-5-gawd I wish I still had that gun!!!!!!!!!

 

[MTKTM]

I've shot nine geese and just a few ducks this season, some with Hevi-Shot and some with steel. The Hevi-Shot is definitely better. I've used #2s and BBs and both work pretty well, but the BBs are better for geese. Definitely do not use a full choke for steel, but it's okay for Hevi-Shot.

 

[Andy Griffith]

The stupid greenies that pushed for non-toxic shot way back when should have been beat senseless with an ugly stick.

Try some of that new Fiocchi Tundra tungsten-iron stuff...it won't hurt your pocketbook too bad.

The other alternative is...for the price of a couple of 25rd. boxes of bismuth or such, you might can find a more modern used BPS barrel that uses choke tubes on a gun auction site and just shoot the el-cheapo steel crap.

 

[bigcatonhd]

Thanks for all the replies. Since the first season opens next week I'll just buy some of the Hevi-Shot. Not enough time to look for a barrel. Besides, I just found out today that on Dec 31st I'll be unemployed. I may have to sell the gun rather than buy a barrel!!