Steel Shot and Fixed Full Choke Barrel

[Billy Jack]

I just bought a used Remington 870 Magnum 12 ga. It has 2 barrels. An improved cylinder barrel (fixed choke) and a full choke barrel (fixed choke).
I bought this gun thinking I might get a chance to go goose hunting this year and all I had was a 20 ga with improved cylinder. I figured the improved cylinder would be fine for dove and quail and the full choke would be good for ducks and geese.

I just heard that I might have a problem. Goose hunting requires steel shot and I heard that you could not shoot steel shot in a full choke gun.

My firearms interest revolves around revolvers and lever action rifles. I have very little knowledge of shot guns other than a little quail, rabbit , and dove hunting through the years with an old 12 gauge pump.

 

[handloader357]

Correct, a full fixed choke 870 won't do well with steel. You can probably have a smith cut threads for chokes into your full barrel or just get another barrel.

Or have an excuse to buy another gun!

 

[rcmodel]

The Imp Cyl barrel is safe with steel and will pattern at least Mod if not better with steel.

You can kill geese with it!

rc

 

[jmr40]

Steel shot patterns much tighter than lead. You will probably damage the full choke barrel. The good news is that the IC barrel you have will pattern steel at least as tight as a modified barrel would with lead. A modified choke often shoots too tight to be useful with steel. In fact I use my IC tubes most of the time when shooting steel. I'd use the IC choked barrel. It will do just fine except on really long range shots you probably shouldn't be taking anyway.

Goose hunting requires steel shot

Not exactly, waterfowl hunting requires non-toxic shot. Steel is the cheapest non-toxic shot and the one used the most. There are other options for non-toxic shot that are perfectly safe in the full choke barrel. It will cost more than steel shot, but be cheaper than a new barrel or gun. Unless you are shooting shells by the case it isn't too bad.

I have a 1930's era gun that belonged to my dad that gets taken out a time or 2 each duck season. That is what I use with it.

 

[Virginian]

In my experience, steel patterns exactly like lead, you just get a few more pellets in the pattern due to less pellets deforming. I agree shooting big steel pellets through your fixed Full is a no no, and I have never been one of those lucky guys who have gees decoying at 30 yards all the time either. I find I get the tightest patterns with about an IM or light Full choke, and that's what I use. With a '76 Wingmaster Magnum as often as not. I would either -
a) Have the barrel fitted for steel compatible tubes
b) Get another barrel with RemChokes
c) Shoot Kent tungsten matrix, Nice Shot, or Bismuth.

I do not shoot steel since tungsten arrived. If you don't know how much goose hunting you may be doing, bite the bullet on costs and get some Kent Impact. If you decide you are going to be a goose hunter, then you can decide on a long term solution. You can sell you barrel on ebay.

 

[Billy Jack]

Thanks for the good news.
I doubt I will get a chance to goose hunt often anyway so I hated to have to buy another shotgun or barrel.

Since all I really hunt with a shotgun is dove and occasionally quail, is their really any need for me to have the 30" full choke barrel chambered for 3", or should I just stick it on the forum and get some money for ammo.

One thing I just thought of though, the full choke barrel was 30" and could handle 3" shells. The IC barrel is 26" and handles 2 3/4" or shorter shells.

Are 2 3/4" steel 12 ga shells in an IC barrel going to be enough for geese or did I just buy another dove and quail gun with a long useless barrel?

 

[rcmodel]

It all depends on how you hunt geese.

Pass shooting at 70 yards?
No.

Over a decoy spread in a field or pit blind?
Yes.

I have killed a awful lot of geese with 2 3/4" lead #2's years ago.

rc

 

[Virginian]

I too started goose hunting with a 2-3/4" gun and lead #2s many years ago. Then about 1974 I started to get serious about geese and went to a 3" gun, and started checking patterns, and went to using BBs. And I started practicing range estimation fanatically, and practicing shooting at 50 to 70 yards. For me, that proved to be the right combination. Everyone is different and has different situations, so your experience may vary.

 

[243winxb]

Opening choke of 30" Barrel.

I would see what a gun smith would charge to open the choke. ( $35 to $75) I would want the 3" chamber. http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/learn/Inst-543.pdf

 

[jmr40]

Sounds like the OP is not a serious goose hunter, just wants to be able to legally take one if given the chance. If he were really a dedicated goose hunter he wouldn't be asking the questions.

I'd bet he, like 99% of hunters would require more luck than skill to make hits on geese at 70 yards. I bet he would be just fine with the IC barrel and steel shots and limiting himself to 30-40 yards.

I've never claimed to be a great wingshooter. I tend to use a more open choke than most recommend and limit my range. I tend to get a higher percentage of hits on stuff up close and simply pass up the longer shots.

 

[Billy Jack]

All good advice. Yes I am not a serious goose hunter. May never even get the chance. A friend of mine bought some blinds and decoys and wants to start, but he is so busy it may never happen.
I think I'll sell the long barrel and just do with the IC barrel and 2 3/4" steel shells if I get a chance to go. In the meantime its just right for my dove and quail hunting.

 

[drcook]

While full choke barrels will sell, don't expect to get as much in return as you would with less choked barrels. When someone buys a full choked barrel, they will be in the same position that you are.

You know, if you Google up Mike Orlen (gunsmith) he can install choke tubes for not a lot of money. With choke tubes, you will have all possibilities covered.

 

[Virginian]

Amen. I will definitely vouch for Mike Orlen and Briley's. Mike can't do everything Briley's can, but he does excellent work and is faster and less expensive on the things he is set up to do. There may be others that are good as well, but I can't speak to them.

 

[PapaG]

Go with the IC. We've found often that a more open choke patterns better with steel....full is too tight, steel doesn't flow like lead.