[North of 49th]

I have a Czechoslovakian (Brno ZH 303) O/U 12Ga. with a 2 3/4'' chamber. Unfortunatly it has a non-removable full choke on both barrels. I would like an opinion: Is it safe to fire steel shot through full choke?

thanxs.

[ShunZu]

Shoot enough through it and it'll eventually become a modified choke. :)

Quick answer, no. Sorry. Lead through a full.

[chas08]

I have wrestled with this delema for many years. And in the early years of steel shot I would say a "definitive No" But huge advances have been made in the production of steel shotshells in recent years. Mainly in the Shot Cup area. I decided to test my theory on a Remington 870 fixed full choke barrel made in the 70's. I micrometered the bore then fired three shots and mik'ed it again. No change and no bulges. Then I advanced to patterning it. This is where it went south, the pattern at 40yds was splotchy with many openings. You could say it was "blown" As for your gun, I won't advise you either way. But if you ask a gunsmith he'll tell you not to shoot steel through anything tighter than modified. And in the russian made Remington Spartans, they advise not shooting it through anything tighter than I/C.

[Pete409]

No, I would not recommend shooting steel shot through a gun with a full choke. Doing so can cause the barrel to stretch and form a weak "ring" immediately behind the choke. If done often enough, it could even cause the end of the barrel to split.

The maximum choke constriction I would use with steel shot is Modified (about .020" constriction).

[rcmodel]

NO!
Especially since you ask about an O/U.

If there is choke damage.
And if the full chokes become modified chokes:
And if the muzzles get bigger around.

Your two barrels are going to come apart at the seams where they are soldered together with the side ribs!

rcmodel

[Dave McCracken]

I wouldn't. Steel safe shotguns are common. Save this for doves and ringnecks....