Steel shot barrels?

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ZVP

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In this day of near dissapeared ammo on the shelves I can only find steel shot at a local store and at some chain stores,
The problem is thar ny gun is a older Westernfield/Mossberg 550AD undoubtably made before the advent of Stteel shot shells The barrel is to be bobbed to 19" when I am done with it and will have a cylinder bore.
Is Steel shot surrounded by a shot cup so "IF" I had to shoot a few steel shot loads would I ruin the barrel?
All efforts have only netted birdshot and/or Phesant loads (Lead) and they were gone before I could grab some...
At present it looks like I will have some running around to locate lead 12ga loads! Thankyou MR Obama!
ZVP
 
If choke open less problem with steel shot.

Steel loads do have thick wad cups that generally protect the barrel interior surface. The major problem is with the softer steel barrels with fixed full chokes, these tend to bulge and become unsafe if steel shotshells are fired through the constriction. Lead shot gives and distorts as it goes through tight chokes, steel shot does not and peens the barrel. This is more likely with super tight turkey chokes, those should never see anything but lead shot.

Steel shotshells are rather short range if you are in the smaller sizes 6 and 7. It is hard to hit trap with steel shotshells, a little easier with skeet as the distances are less. Even 4 shot that is steel is not very long range.

Some shotguns have came apart even with choke inserts due to steel incompatibility.

I would recommend avoiding steel shot in old doubles, early lightweight shotguns with full chokes and long barrels, and anything that is not exceptionally sound. If it is highly valuable to you I would not chance it with steel shot.

Good luck whatever your choice.

Hevishot is probably even less forgiving to softer barrels and tighter chokes.
 
I would think you will be OK. Most guns made prior to steel shot were still OK with it. Only guns with full chokes or very thin barrel steel were an issue. Usually more expensive doubles. Almost all older pumps and semi's with more open chokes should be fine.
 
Given that you have bobbed the barrel on the gun I am assuming you are using the gun for SD. I haven't seen any steel buckshot yet. It's doubtful you will ever fire a steel shot shell from the gun. The bobbed Westernfields with the rail still intact make a nice bunny and bird buster. I have a Westernfield with quail engraved on one side and ducks engraved on the other that was cut down by a gunsmith. It is a smooth shooter and I don't mind using it to bash briers and brush down.
 
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