Steel shot in old gun, modified choke ok?

[halvey]

I just picked up a Fox Model B 12 ga sxs. My gun club is steel only, so I picked up a box of Federal STEEL Duck and Pheasant. I just wanted to bust some clays tomorrow, but had a few questions.

1) will I be ok shooting this out of the modified barrel? If I remember correctly, steel will throw a pattern tighter than lead. So in essence I am shooting a full choke??

It's #6 shot. On the back of the box it says: "we recommend choosing a shot size at least 2 sizes larger than a lead load to give optimal long range performance and penetration.

2) so this is like shooting #8 shot?

I'm new to steel shot as you can tell...

 

[mete]

When they say two sizes larger they mean larger diameter[#4] not larger number. If a gun is not designed for steel shot don't use steel regardless of choke. Check with the range to see what is really needed, it will depend on range mostly.

 

[kudu]

I personaly wouldn't risk ruining an old Fox shotgun by running steel through it. It's iffy at best.

I thought steel shot only clubs had their own "target" loads in steel for the members that are loaded lighter than a hunting shell. If you are determined to try steel look for some of the target shells.

 

[halvey]

The club is steel only. It's not a formal trap or skeet club, just a general club where members come to shoot. It's mostly rifle shooting with an area with clay throwers for shooting. But it is steel only as the land is leased and if they allowed lead they'd have to remove the ground and replace with new topsoil. Shooting lead on the rilfe or pistol is not a problem as the berms will hold the lead.

The Fox shotgun is the Model B, which is (kind of?) like a Stevens 311. So it's not one of those real spendy Fox's. But if I shouldn't shoot steel, I will probably hold off doing so.