andrew f Posted October 23, 2021 Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 What do I need to know if my SXS is safe to use steel. I'm not sure on the proof marks so I'm hoping someone with a bit more experience might know what's what Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueflame Posted October 23, 2021 Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 Hi Andrew, the photos don’t show all the information. Looking at the 1200 bar figure I would expect the gun to be 3” /76mm chambers. It looks as if there is a single star mark on the left barrel and 3 stars on the right barrel which indicate full choke in the left & half choke in the right barrel. Half choke is the recommended maximum for steel shot, so the left barrel would be to tightly choked for steel shot. To avoid any doubt I would take the gun to a proper gunsmith who can measure the choke constriction in the barrels for confirmation. If you need the chokes opened out it’s not that expensive, and a lot safer than risking your gun and more importantly yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windswept Posted October 23, 2021 Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 This might be helpful to work out some of the proof marks if it's Spanish (Laurona?). https://www.shotguns.se/html/spain.html https://www.shotguns.se/html/spanish_trademarks.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted October 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 13 minutes ago, Blueflame said: Hi Andrew, the photos don’t show all the information. Looking at the 1200 bar figure I would expect the gun to be 3” /76mm chambers. It looks as if there is a single star mark on the left barrel and 3 stars on the right barrel which indicate full choke in the left & half choke in the right barrel. Half choke is the recommended maximum for steel shot, so the left barrel would be to tightly choked for steel shot. To avoid any doubt I would take the gun to a proper gunsmith who can measure the choke constriction in the barrels for confirmation. If you need the chokes opened out it’s not that expensive, and a lot safer than risking your gun and more importantly yourself. It's got 16/70 stamped on the flats so I took it for 70mm chambers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueflame Posted October 23, 2021 Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 Hi Andrew, I didn’t see that clearly, I presume your gun is a 16 guage then? Either way the star marks indicate the choke constriction when proofed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted October 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 12 minutes ago, Blueflame said: Hi Andrew, I didn’t see that clearly, I presume your gun is a 16 guage then? Either way the star marks indicate the choke constriction when proofed. Yes it is a 16 half and full will get that checked make sure it hasn't been messed with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 23, 2021 Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 If I was just using standard steel I’d leave the chokes as is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted October 23, 2021 Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 Standard steel will have no problems through your chokes I wouldn’t touch it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted October 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Scully said: If I was just using standard steel I’d leave the chokes as is. 47 minutes ago, Gerry78 said: Standard steel will have no problems through your chokes I wouldn’t touch it So it definitely won't cause issues then there's plenty of people saying it will on the net some guessing it's just a load of **** then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted October 23, 2021 Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 14 minutes ago, andrew f said: So it definitely won't cause issues then there's plenty of people saying it will on the net some guessing it's just a load of **** then Yes I’ve shot standard steel through S/S shotguns for years with a multitude of chokes full thru to 1/4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 23, 2021 Report Share Posted October 23, 2021 13 minutes ago, andrew f said: So it definitely won't cause issues then there's plenty of people saying it will on the net some guessing it's just a load of **** then You don’t say what these issues are, but it wouldn’t cause any issues as far as I was concerned, from a safety point of view, and certainly none to your gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 Andrew, I would be pleased to know if and where you obtain standard steel cartridges in 16 bore. I too shoot 16 bores and have struggled to get standard steel, only HP steel which I’m reluctant to use in my 16s. Thanks in advance of any reply. OB 12 hours ago, Gerry78 said: Yes I’ve shot standard steel through S/S shotguns for years with a multitude of chokes full thru to 1/4 But not 16 bores I’m guessing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted October 24, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 45 minutes ago, Old Boggy said: Andrew, I would be pleased to know if and where you obtain standard steel cartridges in 16 bore. I too shoot 16 bores and have struggled to get standard steel, only HP steel which I’m reluctant to use in my 16s. Thanks in advance of any reply. OB But not 16 bores I’m guessing I've found these boggy not sure eid there standard or the HP steel https://www.justcartridges.com/product/supreme-steel-16ga-2/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 Andrew, Many thanks for that, but they seem to be HP steel if that`s what `Supreme` means. I will make enquiries to Just cartridges, Thanks, OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 Followed the link and they are in 65mm cases, so likely standard steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 Personally I would have a gunsmith who knows what they are doing take a look at just how tight the chokes are. There is so much variation and a tad too tight might blow the end off your nice gun. Weill worth doing. To be on the safe side having the choke barrel eased out a touch to around what should be 3/4 will have little effect on the performace of your shotgun, in fact might just help you hit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 Andrew it’s your choice if your not content using standard steel thru tighter chokes then bye all means get them opened by a gunsmith but as I said in my previous post I’ve put 12g standard steel thru my S/Ss for years in chokes tighter than 1/2 my mate for years used a Miroku trap gun choked full 3/4 on ducks with no damage to barrels Good luck 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claysandgame Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 9 hours ago, andrew f said: I've found these boggy not sure eid there standard or the HP steel https://www.justcartridges.com/product/supreme-steel-16ga-2/ 9 hours ago, Old Boggy said: Andrew, Many thanks for that, but they seem to be HP steel if that`s what `Supreme` means. I will make enquiries to Just cartridges, Thanks, OB 7 hours ago, London Best said: Followed the link and they are in 65mm cases, so likely standard steel. They are standard steel See below image from the Lyvale Catalogue of their non-toxic offerings (though note they are plastic wad) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windswept Posted June 29, 2022 Report Share Posted June 29, 2022 I thought this is a useful piece, very much what I intend to do. https://basc.org.uk/both-barrels-busting-the-steel-myths/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted June 29, 2022 Report Share Posted June 29, 2022 6 minutes ago, Windswept said: I thought this is a useful piece, very much what I intend to do. https://basc.org.uk/both-barrels-busting-the-steel-myths/ I’ve been trying to tell folk this for ages. 🤷♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted June 29, 2022 Report Share Posted June 29, 2022 Mr Harriman could have saved his time and money - just needed to read the second sentence of this: INFORMATION SHEET (basc.org.uk) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted June 29, 2022 Report Share Posted June 29, 2022 Perhaps they should alter the criteria for the try steel days then or maybe they will next time it goes to print Or even used a light game gun for the experiment or used a 16 or a 20 or even given a bit of science to it barrel length weight of gun what pattern the gun produces with lead and the steel equivalent as it is using a heavy steel drilling not a ideal game gun wouldn’t be my choice for the experiment the issue is not only about the damage that maybe caused to the barrel it’s about recoil making it unpleasant to shoot the gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 29, 2022 Report Share Posted June 29, 2022 Blimey, not getting sensible at last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted June 30, 2022 Report Share Posted June 30, 2022 It is tempting to turn up for a ‘try sustainable ammunition’ day and deliberately take a 100 year old 2 1/2 inch gun and make a big scene when they cannot provide any ammo for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 30, 2022 Report Share Posted June 30, 2022 15 minutes ago, London Best said: It is tempting to turn up for a ‘try sustainable ammunition’ day and deliberately take a 100 year old 2 1/2 inch gun and make a big scene when they cannot provide any ammo for it. They would probably have a loan gun for that very occasion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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