A Dumb Steel vs. Lead Shot Question

[XD Fan]

I have an old Norinco O/U shotgun that I bought used in 1986. How can I ascertain whether or not I can shoot steel shot in it?

Probably a dumb question, but I could not get the search function to work. Sorry for any redundancy as I am sure this question has been discussed ad nauseum.

I need an extra gun on a hunt and it is the only extra that I have.

Thanks

 

[RNB65]

There's no easy way to tell on a foreign made gun, especially one mass produced in China. The issue with steel shot is that steel won't compress as it passes through the choke constriction like lead will. Thus, steel shot puts a lot more stress on the muzzle area than lead. If the barrel wasn't made from steel hard enough to withstand the added stress, the end of the barrel could fail. I'm not sure if a gunsmith could tell you by looking at the gun.

I'd avoid it. Better to be safe than sorry. You can go to Wal Mart (some of them, anyway) and buy a Mossy or Remmy pump for less than three bills that will shoot as much steel shot as you can throw at it.

 

[XD Fan]

Thanks, RNB65.

That is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.