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Steel shot question

harkbrokeharkbroke Member Posts: 60 ✭✭
edited October 2013 in Ask the Experts
A friend asked me if it is OK to shoot steel shot in his Remington 1100 12 gauge or his Winchester 97 12 gauge. He said the 97 was made in about 1912.
Both are full choke.

Thanks,

Harkbroke
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Comments

  • toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,008 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Personally I wouldn't, however there are many who have with no problems. Not worth the risk. Try some softer NTS shells.
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What he said up there ^^^. Not a good idea.
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  • harkbrokeharkbroke Member Posts: 60 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks guys.
    I also found information on the Remington website and they do not recommend using steel shot in anything except modified, skeet, or cylinder bores; and definitely not full choke.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's not uncommon to find older shotguns, even though they are marked as full choke. To have had their chokes opened up to improved cylinder, for steel. Measure the I.D. of the choke with dial caliper or even a dime to see.

    Wouldn't made much difference with the Remington. But if the 97 is factory original and in Very Good condition, doing this would have affected it's collectors value.
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  • dannejdannej Member Posts: 478 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It seems I read somewhere that the new plastic wads make it ok to shoot steel shot in tighter chokes on modern guns. I may be mistaken.
    I bought a 10 gauge magnum from a goose hunter that claimed he only used steel shot through his full chokes for years. The barrel showed no scoring on the chokes and at 60 yards it would put 4 to 6 holes through a popcan.

    I bought it for a turkey gun but sold it after I thought of what it would do to a turkey at say 30 yards.

    Rule of thumb, I agree with you guys... don't do it.
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  • riley priley p Member Posts: 217 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some years ago I bought 4 cases of Federal 16 ga Steel 15/16 oz #2 at a gun show and shot it all from a 1930's model 12 with a full choke. Not a problem. None. (except steel doesn't kill ducks worth a darn) (grounds for another topic?) If your friend likes to shoot his Model 97 at ducks, I say do it.

    Lots of opinions out there, few based in fact or experience. I probably wouldn't shoot steel in an old double but a '97 or '12 in good shape can take it. It's what they're made to do, go out doors and hunt.
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  • azpowerwagonazpowerwagon Member Posts: 376 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    More importantly on the 97,I would have the length of the chamber/forcing cone checked to see if it is the proper length for the modern shotshells. Different in 1912. Yes, I know, the modern shells fit in the chamber......
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  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by azpowerwagon
    More importantly on the 97,I would have the length of the chamber/forcing cone checked to see if it is the proper length for the modern shotshells. Different in 1912. Yes, I know, the modern shells fit in the chamber......


    All Model 1897 12-gauge guns were factory made with a 2-3/4" chamber. That stated, I would not shoot steel shot loaded shells in one that has a Full choke.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • laxcoachlaxcoach Member Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by azpowerwagon
    More importantly on the 97,I would have the length of the chamber/forcing cone checked to see if it is the proper length for the modern shotshells. Different in 1912. Yes, I know, the modern shells fit in the chamber......


    All Model 1897 12-gauge guns were factory made with a 2-3/4" chamber. That stated, I would not shoot steel shot loaded shells in a Winchester, particularly a M 21 !.
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  • azpowerwagonazpowerwagon Member Posts: 376 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by azpowerwagon
    More importantly on the 97,I would have the length of the chamber/forcing cone checked to see if it is the proper length for the modern shotshells. Different in 1912. Yes, I know, the modern shells fit in the chamber......


    I suppose I shouldn't have confused the issue, my bad I guess. The relevant issue is the design of the older...1912, forcing cone dimensions. I'm not going to post them as they can be looked up. Old versus new. Those of us old enough to remember, recall the old shotshell, of all gauges/bore, that had the over shot card and then a small rolledcrimp versus the folded crimp used by most major commercial manufacturers today.
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