Shooting Steel out of old gun
Question:
writes: > Can I shootsteel shot out of a Winchester Model 1911 shotgun. the gun was > made in 1913, it is an autoloader with a 26 inch improved cylinder barrell. > What shells can I shoot. > Thanks
Chances are you can. The big problem with shooting steel is that most older waterfowling shotguns were full choke. In the old days, manufacturers competed to see who could manufacture the tightest full choke barrel. They needed it, because the old paper wad shotshells didn’t hold a tight pattern. A full choke Winchester with a 1913 barrel would correspond to a turkey choke (extra full choke) today. Steel shot does not compress easily as it exits the barrel. The combination of a sturdy older barrel and an IC choke should shoot steel just fine. If you want to be ultra-conservative, you can just shoot bismuth or tungsten polymer, but for the price of a few boxes of Bismuth (10 shells to a box!) you can buy yourself another old shotgun. Modern plastic cup shotshells will prevent any steel-steel contact between shot and barrel, and I doubt the gentle IC choke will constrict the load so much you would have overpressure in the barrel. While I have an 870 Super Magnum that will feed 3.5" shells, my favorite duck load is a 2.75" load of steel #4’s through a modified choke. It’s an inexpensive box of shells, and not many birds fly away if I shoot at them. For shooting over decoys, your IC choke should be almost ideal. Join your nearest gun club and shoot some clay pigeons. Shoot sporting clays if they offer it, otherwise shoot trap and skeet. The real key to successful waterfowling is to hit what you shoot at. The only way to become a successful wingshot is to burn some ammo. — Interested in Conservation? Take a look at http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0011/earthlights_dmsp_big.jpg It takes a while to load, but everybody should see the problem. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
| Can I shootsteel shot out of a Winchester Model 1911 shotgun. the gun was | made in 1913, it is an autoloader with a 26 inch improved cylinder barrell. | What shells can I shoot. | Thanks | Check with a gunsmith to see what length shells it is chambered for. No way you can shoot steel out of it. If you are going hunting where non-toxic shot is required your options are Bismuth or Tungsten Polymer. (Kent calls theirs Tungsten Matrix, Federal’s is Tungsten Polymer). FWIW, my 20ga Browning loves Winchester Bismuth. Haven’t tried Kent (www.kentgamebore.com) yet but everyone I know who has loves it. Federal works just fine for me too (www.federalcartridge.com) HTH, — TK I don’t practice what I preach ’cause I’m not the kind of person I’m preaching to. – | Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: | http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ | Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Can I shootsteel shot out of a Winchester Model 1911 shotgun. the gun was made in 1913, it is an autoloader with a 26 inch improved cylinder barrell. What shells can I shoot. Thanks Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>Can I shootsteel shot out of a Winchester Model 1911 shotgun. the gun was >made in 1913, it is an autoloader with a 26 inch improved cylinder barrell. >What shells can I shoot.
I am not certain but your gunsmith would be the best judge of that question. Generally it is recommended to NOT shoot steel shot in "old" guns. It may be wise to buy a new modern gun for steel and keep the old one for lead. Lite Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I have a Winchester model 1912 – 12ga. pump action shotgun, made in 1913, that has a full choke on it. I started using steel this year, and at the end of the shooting season I decided to check out my spread pattern. At 40 yards, the pattern was the same with shooting steel as it was with the lead shot. It all depends on your preferences. I have heard that shooting steel will damage the barrel, but from what I have seen in my shotgun it really doesn’t matter. I interchanged the two different types of ammunition through out the year, and nothing seemed any different. My model only allows for 2 3/4 inch shells, so that’s you best bet to go with, since that is the smallest shell size out there that I have seen. This info might help, but if nothing else go to your local gun shop and ask them to check it out. Happy hunting Jared Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
