Big Al Posted September 4, 2019 Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 I've just done something new. I've read the manual for my gun. I own 2 B525s, a grade 1 and a grade 5 and when it comes to hp steel I've always stuck to conventional advice and used no tighter than half choke. However, on reading the B525 manual, it seems that they advocate using hp steel through 3/4 invector plus choke also. Hmmm. News to me. I was wondering if anyone in PW has used HP steel through the factory 3/4 choke. I'm tempted to try it on my first duck flight on Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted September 4, 2019 Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 I’ve used Gamebore HP steel through a none steel proofed fixed 3/4 choked self loader and through old Winchester 101’s, but nothing tighter than half ( but only because I had nothing tighter ) in the latter. I think there are several PW members who regularly shoot HP steel through full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted September 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 5 minutes ago, Scully said: I’ve used Gamebore HP steel through a none steel proofed fixed 3/4 choked self loader and through old Winchester 101’s, but nothing tighter than half ( but only because I had nothing tighter ) in the latter. I think there are several PW members who regularly shoot HP steel through full. Thanks Scully. Good to know - If Browning say it's ok then I suppose I shouldn't even have asked. I always like to touch base to see if anyone else does it. I'll be trying it on Saturday then ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted September 4, 2019 Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 44 minutes ago, Scully said: I think there are several PW members who regularly shoot HP steel through full. On non steel proof guns or guns that are proofed for steel? I have a spanish master sxs with 1/2 and full and wondered if I can shoot non HP steel but have mixed responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 4, 2019 Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 I have a maxus with invector barrel and chokes and put BBB through xtra full. Try it you might be surprised by how it patterns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted September 4, 2019 Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) I would use 3/4 choke with no fear. Too many people are scared of using steel in tighter chokes, due to misinformation. On last months Sporting Gun magazine, the editor wrote that barrels would open up like a banana if you were to use 3/4 choke or tighter with steel! Load of bull! Edited September 5, 2019 by motty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 I admit this is something I've never understood. My Maxus came with clear instructions that tighter chokes cannot be used with steel shot. They also indicated that steel shoots tighter than lead through the same choke. A load of bull? What's the story? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 8 hours ago, Lloyd90 said: On non steel proof guns or guns that are proofed for steel? I have a spanish master sxs with 1/2 and full and wondered if I can shoot non HP steel but have mixed responses. The only gun Ive ever owned which is steel proof is a Benelli self loader, and I’ve never shot steel through it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 i bought a supernova, i havent used full choke with steel, but i`ve used every other. cylinder and 28gram steel loads are really cool. great on skeet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapid .25 Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 There's an article on it in this month's basc magazine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 Due to being worried about litigation if your gun was ruined they state the half choke rule. Fowler's both sides of the pond have been using extra tight chokes like turkey chokes for duck and goose carts for years. Some manufacturers are making full chokes for steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archi Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 I shot quite a lot of 3” steel 3 shot though an Mk60 high Pheasant 3/4 & 3/4 choke with no issues just have good kills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted September 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 Thanks for all the replies. I'll be giving it a go on Saturday. For those interested, this is a photo of the page in my manual: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 20 hours ago, figgy said: I have a maxus with invector barrel and chokes and put BBB through xtra full. Try it you might be surprised by how it patterns. Factory chokes or extended? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 (edited) I only have Briley extended xtra full. Have used factory internal full, just don't throw as good a pattern with steel or lead. No marks to the choke or barrel off using steel. There is only around 1mm difference between cylinder and full. So half a mil from half to full. The wad is thicker than that so the plastic gives a fair bit as it passes the choke. With invector plus being back bored the choke at full extra full does not impact the wad and pellets the same as a nominal bored gun with same choke. Edited September 5, 2019 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted September 6, 2019 Report Share Posted September 6, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted September 6, 2019 Report Share Posted September 6, 2019 https://basc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2017/10/Steel-Shot-what-you-need-to-know-from-a-safety-point-of-view-2017.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fil Posted September 6, 2019 Report Share Posted September 6, 2019 On 04/09/2019 at 23:42, motty said: I would use 3/4 choke with no fear. Too many people are scared of using steel in tighter chokes, due to misinformation. On last months Sporting Gun magazine, the editor wrote that barrels would open up like a banana if you were to use 3/4 choke or tighter with steel! Load of bull! I'm glad you're thinking this way. Way too much misinformation out there. One article some time ago said steel will kill off all side by sides out there. And we wonder why side by sides are declining in sales. I can't believe the c rap that idiots write in magazines. As if they really know what they are talking about. No it won't kill off side by sides. It would only be wise to have your barrels looked at by a barrel maker or a competent gunsmith to advise on whether the chokes/barrels are suitable to accept steel.. that's all. And maybe ultimately get it steel proofed if you're that concerned. I was making side by side and over and under barrels in the 80's for steel shot. I was told they were going to use steel so I made the barrels and choked accordingly... no problem. It's not the tightness but how the choke is made in the first place. IE the lead in. Lead gives. Steel doesn't. If your chokes are tight and the lead in is sharp you may have to have the chokes "altered". I am of course talking about fixed choke. Most factory fixed chokes I have come across that come in for advice look okay. It's the ones that have already been altered or the bores have been opened up by hone or lap and the choke cone gets sharpened up that I would be looking at to alter to suit. I have seen lead shot bulge chokes due to some poor honing. And it was only half choke. My only concern is that I've seen steel mark the bores if not in a plastic wad. I see lately the cartridge manufacturers are working on a wad for this. Now excuse me but I have a bone to go and pick with Sporting gun.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 6, 2019 Report Share Posted September 6, 2019 (edited) Nice to read something sensible from within the trade. Most toe the party line and qoute the drivel we all hear. The shot now is softer that it was at first. It's not steel it's soft iron, lots softer than most gun barrels especially hard chrome lined ones. I have had pin hole to the wad from shot and pellets at the top of the column not set back fully on firing you can see along the top.of the wad the marks, so shot touching the barrel on way out. No marks to the barrels or chokes. Edited September 6, 2019 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted September 6, 2019 Report Share Posted September 6, 2019 7 hours ago, Fil said: I'm glad you're thinking this way. Way too much misinformation out there. One article some time ago said steel will kill off all side by sides out there. And we wonder why side by sides are declining in sales. I can't believe the c rap that idiots write in magazines. As if they really know what they are talking about. No it won't kill off side by sides. It would only be wise to have your barrels looked at by a barrel maker or a competent gunsmith to advise on whether the chokes/barrels are suitable to accept steel.. that's all. And maybe ultimately get it steel proofed if you're that concerned. I was making side by side and over and under barrels in the 80's for steel shot. I was told they were going to use steel so I made the barrels and choked accordingly... no problem. It's not the tightness but how the choke is made in the first place. IE the lead in. Lead gives. Steel doesn't. If your chokes are tight and the lead in is sharp you may have to have the chokes "altered". I am of course talking about fixed choke. Most factory fixed chokes I have come across that come in for advice look okay. It's the ones that have already been altered or the bores have been opened up by hone or lap and the choke cone gets sharpened up that I would be looking at to alter to suit. I have seen lead shot bulge chokes due to some poor honing. And it was only half choke. My only concern is that I've seen steel mark the bores if not in a plastic wad. I see lately the cartridge manufacturers are working on a wad for this. Now excuse me but I have a bone to go and pick with Sporting gun.......... Good post. I was going to send an email to the editor of SG, but didn't get around to it. I can't stand blatant lies being told! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishop Posted September 7, 2019 Report Share Posted September 7, 2019 (edited) interesting read this.I recall the statements from many here that 1/4 is enough etc etc for steel a few years back.I recall also taking a shot over water at 40 yards to finish a goose a few seasons back with a 3.5 gamebore #1 and being gobsmacked at how loose and wide the pattern was.I have pondered the geese in the past, at good ranges,that have taken 2 barrels when one should have sufficed when i had 1/2 and 1/4 chokes in the gun..But all being said and done,perhaps its time to try one or two experimental rounds with maybe a steel#2 and 3/4 choke in the yilditz. Edited September 7, 2019 by bishop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 7, 2019 Report Share Posted September 7, 2019 Sporting gun must have forgotten about Tom Sykes shooting game ore super steel through a AYA Yeoman and using a old pump that can't have been proofed for steel. The videos were all sporting gun, still on YouTube to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler23 Posted September 7, 2019 Report Share Posted September 7, 2019 Has anyone/ know of anyone that has damaged the barrels while using steel through an un steel proofed gun choked more than half?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted September 7, 2019 Report Share Posted September 7, 2019 No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishop Posted September 8, 2019 Report Share Posted September 8, 2019 heard of a few AYA 10 bores with bulged barrels due to people being--well--just plain stupid putting very large steel thru full chokes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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