Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!doug.cae.wisc.edu!osnome!hunting
From: Q19QC%CUNYVM.BitNet@vms3.macc.wisc.edu (Tom Hall)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Steel Shot
Message-ID: <1991Apr30.072128.13869@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Date: 30 Apr 91 12:21:28 GMT
Lines: 29
Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu


 
 
  There seem to be a descent number of steel shot questions going
around and hopefully this can clear some of them up.  Shooting steel
through old guns is not a good idea.  The steel they used back then is
not the same as today's stuff.  What really matters though is barrel
thickness and some of the old tube were pretty thin.  There are some
companies that put out replacements though such as Hastings who make a
Win model 12 barrel  for $300.  Also, if you are going to shoot
through an older gun try to stay away from full chokes.  The steel
shot cant be compressed in the same way as lead.  Anyway some of my
best patterns came out of IC or mod so those are what I shoot with.
   I really only use three shot sizes T, 3, and 6.  The T is great on
geese and brant while the threes are good for ducks.  The 6's are for
cripples on the water and with that nice full pattern also work well
upland.  When using the larger shot sizes though (BBB, T, F) it is
best to pattern the gun.  For some reason the shot acts differently
than the small stuff.  What gives you a full pattern with 4's may
create a really ragged pattern with T's.  Also WARNING : I know two
people both shooting 1187 Remingtons with IC chokes shooting F shot
who had the choke tube peen over on the inside.  That F may be just a
little too big, and if this can happen in a modern gun I would defina
tely keep it out of the older ones.  Lastly, if you have a gun
threaded for choke tubes, try the steel shot tubes they work very well
and may solve some of the other problems.
 
                                          Tom Hall
 Good hunting folks.                      Cuny Queens