Jump to content

AYA Steel Shot Reproof


grahamch
 Share

Recommended Posts

Have been offered an as new AYA no3 magnum which was thinking of buying and having reproofed for steel so I have one gun to use for the shore.

 

Anyone had any experience of having guns reproofed for steel?

 

Am not bothered about the cost only intersested to see if can be done.

 

Cheers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recently bought a No3 for the same purpose. Had the chokes taken to 1/2 in each and will use it with steel. I don't think it's a huge risk as they're fairly stoutly built. Heard some horror stories about recent reproofing incidents. It seems like the proof houses are failing more gins than they used to for some reason. Gunsmith had taken some big losses recently with guns failing and becoming worthless, way more failures than they used to have.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I`ve just bought a mint AYA No.3 3inch made c1979 with 30" barrels and an unusually nice bit of wood for the stock.

 

It`s still bored the original full and half.

 

I intend to have the full barrel bored out to half and will be using it with 3" steel cartridges WITHOUT getting it reproofed for steel.

 

It was,of course, originally lead Magnum proofed.

 

As far as actually having it steel shot proofed, this could prove problematic since the proof authorities have stated that they will not normally accept for proof a gun not specifically designed for use with steel shot.

 

Needless to say, I `m not encouraging you to do the same.

 

The AYA no3 3" with it`s beavertail fore end was originally specifically designed and built for the U.S. market. Although not designed for use with steel shot a great many of them are still in service in the U.S. and have been firing steel shot for years without problems.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why bother they are not expensive and I have seen several steel shot proofed guns with damage barrels ,Its your gun and its up to you whether you want to risk it.If you do submit it to proof and it fails you have an unproofed gun on your hands to all intent worthless .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I'd just have any barrel tighter than half bored to half and away you go.

I used an old 101 with Gamebore Super steel 4's for ducks and geese for years through half and quarter choke with no issues.

You could have it proofed for your own peace of mind but a Magnum proofed AYA should be able to cope no problem in my opinion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest cookoff013

can i also point out that for a few boxes of soft tmx, itm shot would be about £50?

how much is a reproof?


better still, find someone who reloads, and bang out some niceshot loads.

cheap and safe,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The half choke or less rule is sensible, but its a rule which covers a broad range of guns and gun types rather than all guns as is generaly acepted.

In a plain barrel or braized rib or ribed double barrel of robust construction, will generaly give no trouble with a much tighter constriction, its when you start trying to shoot say a 4 or 4.5mm steel shot load through a lightweight thin walled english game gun you could run into problems loosening of ribs or bulging in the choke area etc.

AYAs and especialy the magnums and tens typicaly are quite robust in construction, and even with a tighter than recomended choke constriction and big shot you will not encounter any problems.

I have historicaly shot BBb and T steel at up to 1650fps through Kestrel and greylag 10s with zero issues regarding loosening or ribs choke area damage or strike throughs on the wads, now getting steel to pattern well out of tighter than full constrictions as these tens generaly have is an altogether different debate.

Stick to max 3.8mm steel and i would run that AYA with full choke, and not loose a moments sleep over it myself.

Another option is Copper shot its ideal for low volume shoting in non steel suitable guns and needs no plastic wad protection if you dont want to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...