I'm hoping that someone can help me out here. First I've never used steel shot as I don't hunt migratory birds. But I have always wondered what adverse effects if any steel shot or any other non toxic shot would cause to a shot gun barrel. I know that it is advised to use more of an open choke but are there any lasting long term effects of using non toxic shot?
Steel shot question
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Centurian22
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Tons of info on this all over the net and the forum if you search. General consensus is no Major issues if shot in a 'modern' shotgun. Velocities are a little faster so less lead on moving targets, generally go larger by a size or two (over what would be used in lead) to compensate for lost weight / energy.
jaguarxk120
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The long term effect of using steel shot on clay targets is your wallet gets thinner faster.
oneounceload
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While the shot is faster, it also slows down faster because it has less mass. Tightly-choked thin barrels - like on a Superposed will be rewarded with either a nice bulge near the muzzle or worse. Yes, the general consensus is use a more open choke than you would for lead shot.
chas08
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To add to that, I shoot steel through many of my older shotguns as well and have for several seasons now with no sign of any detriment to the gun. All have a modified or more open choke. I also avoid the hyper velocity shells and stay with ammo in the 1300 - 1400 FPS velocity range.
Steel shot ammo of today is far superior to the JUNK it was in the 80's and with the advancements made, particularly in shotcups, I feel a lot of the old axioms of steel no longer hold true. The choice is ultimately yours.
Grumulkin
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There are some modern shotguns that are NOT made for steel. You need to read the owners manual and/or contact the manufacturer.
As for chokes, if the choke is made for steel you should be OK. If it's for steel, it should say so on the choke or in the documentation that comes with the choke.
As for chokes, if the choke is made for steel you should be OK. If it's for steel, it should say so on the choke or in the documentation that comes with the choke.
Many older guns were just fine with steel shot. MOST new guns made since it became required are designed for it. Many older guns, especially doubles had very thin steel in the barrels to keep weight down. Those are the ones most likely to cause problems, especially ones with more tight chokes. Most common older pumps etc are fine as long as they are not full choke, but I'd check if in doubt.
Steel is more expensive than lead, but much cheaper than the other non-toxic options. Many of the other non-toxic loads duplicate lead better and most are safe even in older guns. I have a 1930's era double I hunt duck hunt with on occasion. It only gets Bismuth shot. I cannot afford to use it all the time.
Early steel had issues, newer shells are much improved. Lead is lighter, so you need to move up about 2 sizes to get the same amount of weight in each pellet. If #4 lead is a good choice, then #2 steel is about equal in performance. But when you move up to a larger shot size, there are fewer pellets in each shell. This is why 3" and 3.5" shells are more common.
A 3" #2 steel shot shell is about equal performance wise to a 2 3/4" #4 lead shell.
Steel also patterns tighter. An IC choke will shoot steel into roughly the same pattern as a Modified choke will shoot lead. You should never use steel shot in a full choke designed for lead. And there is no need since a modified choke will shoot pretty tight steel shot patterns. I almost always use IC with steel since it gives me the best patterns. Modified with steel is just too tight.
Since steel is lighter, it has slightly less recoil. A 3" lead shell will kick pretty hard. A 3" steel shell has about the same payload as 2 3/4" lead and recoils about the same.
Steel is more expensive than lead, but much cheaper than the other non-toxic options. Many of the other non-toxic loads duplicate lead better and most are safe even in older guns. I have a 1930's era double I hunt duck hunt with on occasion. It only gets Bismuth shot. I cannot afford to use it all the time.
Early steel had issues, newer shells are much improved. Lead is lighter, so you need to move up about 2 sizes to get the same amount of weight in each pellet. If #4 lead is a good choice, then #2 steel is about equal in performance. But when you move up to a larger shot size, there are fewer pellets in each shell. This is why 3" and 3.5" shells are more common.
A 3" #2 steel shot shell is about equal performance wise to a 2 3/4" #4 lead shell.
Steel also patterns tighter. An IC choke will shoot steel into roughly the same pattern as a Modified choke will shoot lead. You should never use steel shot in a full choke designed for lead. And there is no need since a modified choke will shoot pretty tight steel shot patterns. I almost always use IC with steel since it gives me the best patterns. Modified with steel is just too tight.
Since steel is lighter, it has slightly less recoil. A 3" lead shell will kick pretty hard. A 3" steel shell has about the same payload as 2 3/4" lead and recoils about the same.
MCgunner
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I'm forced to use steel because I'm a life long waterfowler. I can't give up the habit of wading through mud on 35 degree rainy mornings for a maximum of 6 ducks. 
Steel CAN ring bulge a choke over time. A few rounds likely won't do it. It CAN also, over time, separate the barrels on a double. I retired my double gun from waterfowl duties and traded for an old Mossberg pump in 1980. I bought a new barrel for that Mossberg. Steel wouldn't likely have been nice to that "C-Lect" choke barrel that was on it. I have two older shotguns with fixed chokes I do not feed steel, all my modern shotguns are no problem.
Fasteel is deadly. Speed kills. Yes, modern steel shot loads have come a long way. Steel T out of a 10 gauge will take geese WAY out there. I shoot 2 3/4" fasteel 2s or 3s on ducks, quite deadly.
Steel CAN ring bulge a choke over time. A few rounds likely won't do it. It CAN also, over time, separate the barrels on a double. I retired my double gun from waterfowl duties and traded for an old Mossberg pump in 1980. I bought a new barrel for that Mossberg. Steel wouldn't likely have been nice to that "C-Lect" choke barrel that was on it. I have two older shotguns with fixed chokes I do not feed steel, all my modern shotguns are no problem. Fasteel is deadly. Speed kills.
Yes, modern steel shot loads have come a long way. Steel T out of a 10 gauge will take geese WAY out there. I shoot 2 3/4" fasteel 2s or 3s on ducks, quite deadly.
Bull Nutria
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modern plastic steel shot cups protect your shotgun barrel very nicely.
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oneounceload
member
Maybe, but if your muzzle is thin and tightly choked, the steel WILL bulge it, if not worse, as it does not compress the way lead does
The wad actually protects the barrel from your shot. Though most "serious" waterfowl guns like my Browning Maxus build their barrels specially for steel. Not sure how but it sounds like a good gimmick.
The deal is with fixed full chokes it will blow out your barrel. My buddies 870 wingmaster did this on a goose hunt. Stupid move considering how cheap 870 barrels are with chokes.
The big thing with steel is using a quality choke and cheap shells! And test your patterns! I shoot Kents through a Patternmaster and it flat kills geese! First shots are consistently more lethal.
In God and Glock we Trust
The deal is with fixed full chokes it will blow out your barrel. My buddies 870 wingmaster did this on a goose hunt. Stupid move considering how cheap 870 barrels are with chokes.
The big thing with steel is using a quality choke and cheap shells! And test your patterns! I shoot Kents through a Patternmaster and it flat kills geese! First shots are consistently more lethal.
In God and Glock we Trust
Alexey931
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What are the avenues of refinement the steel shot's been traveling? A link will do.
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