Steel Shot & Interchangeable Chokes

[DirtTime]

Was doing a little reading last night and came across some articles about steel shot and interchangeable choke tubes. Some think the hardness of the shot can hurt a barrel/tube with the interchangeable's. Has anyone ever had an issue with this?

 

[jjb4900]

I know guys that do a lot of duck hunting with guns that have interchangeable tubes, never heard any of them ever having a problem. 

[DirtTime]

I didn't think there would be a problem. In the past I had fixed barrel chokes, and mainly used lead ammo. The www isn't always the best place to get information. So I figured I would ask around here from people with experience on the matter.

Thanks for the reply jjb.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I didn't think there would be a problem. In the past I had fixed barrel chokes, and mainly used lead ammo. The www isn't always the best place to get information. So I figured I would ask around here from people with experience on the matter.

Thanks for the reply jjb.

I have seen interchangeable chokes with "do not use steel" Or "Not for Steel shot" on them. I would bet that most wouldn't be an issue. I believe the ones i saw were full or extra full chokes. 

[dbHunterNY]

a lot of your interchangeable chokes that come with the guns will have something like "no steel shot" etched on anything more restricted than medium with anything medium or more open being fair game.

[DirtTime]

That's exactly what the choke in my gun says. It's a full. That's why I started reading up on the topic.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

That's exactly what the choke in my gun says. It's a full. That's why I started reading up on the topic.

Rule of thumb. A modified choke shooting steel will pattern pretty close to full using lead. Steel will shoot one choke tighter. 

[DirtTime]

Rule of thumb. A modified choke shooting steel will pattern pretty close to full using lead. Steel will shoot one choke tighter. 

Thanks for the info Culver.

That's pretty much what costumer service for my gun said. To order new chokes through the supplier is $21.50 per choke and $7.50 shipping. My TriStar uses Beretta/Benelli system so I can get them local and maybe save a few bucks. I want to get the modified and an improved cylinder. 

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Thanks for the info Culver.

That's pretty much what costumer service for my gun said. To order new chokes through the supplier is $21.50 per choke and $7.50 shipping. My TriStar uses Beretta/Benelli system so I can get them local and maybe save a few bucks. I want to get the modified and an improved cylinder. 

does you literature or chokes say no steel on an imp cly and mod choke?

[DirtTime]

I bought it used last summer so no paper literature. The site says no steel in anything tighter then a modified. I wanted to call the CS anyway about getting new chokes and asked them while I had them on the phone about the steel shot. The gentleman said the same exact thing you said.

[jjb4900]

I have seen interchangeable chokes with "do not use steel" Or "Not for Steel shot" on them. I would bet that most wouldn't be an issue. I believe the ones i saw were full or extra full chokes. 

good point, my new Benelli has tubes marked as such......forgot all about that.

[DirtTime]

That's problem I am running into. All the local shops that have Benelli or Beretta in stock are full and are marked no steel. Same with the one that came with the gun. The steel doesn't 'deform' like lead in the tighter chokes.

I have a few more places to call, and I am not in a hurry.

I have bismuth in 3" for this spring and 4 boxes of basic lead #6, so not worried.

I am considering water fowl for next season.

[Larry]

Most of the time the tubes that say lead shot only are tight turkey tubes

[jjb4900]

as someone mentioned earlier, steel shot typically patterns better out of a modified choke then a full.....I personally wouldn't buy an xtra full for steel....waste of $$$.

[DirtTime]

as someone mentioned earlier, steel shot typically patterns better out of a modified choke then a full.....I personally wouldn't buy an xtra full for steel....waste of $$$.

I have the full, so I want to pick up a MOD and an IC tubes.

Just want to say I appreciate people input here. It helped a lot.

[turkeyfeathers]

as someone mentioned earlier, steel shot typically patterns better out of a modified choke then a full.....I personally wouldn't buy an xtra full for steel....waste of $$$.

too tight of constriction and blow the pattern?

[dbHunterNY]

rob when picking up additional choke tubes I highly recommend going for aftermarket tubes versus OEM flush tubes.  PureGold makes great tubes special purpose tubes.  if you want just generic choke tubes for shooting anything Carlson makes black sporting clays tubes that are extended to pattern better with a lot of different constrictions.  i have some and they work well.  here's a link....  http://www.choketube.com/choke-tube-product-details.php?Benelli-Mobil-Choke-Tubes&mf=3

[Pygmy]

I have not had a LOT of experience with steel loads, probably no more than 500 rounds, BUT I have not had good results with full choke tubes even if they were designed for steel.

A few years ago I started using IC tubes for all of the shooting I do with steel, and I began to have much better results.

[jjb4900]

too tight of constriction and blow the pattern?

that's what I hear...

[Tacti_Steve]

Steel shot is going to affect older guns more than newer ones.  But yes eventually it is going to wear them out. So will lead but steel will do it quicker. 

[DirtTime]

rob when picking up additional choke tubes I highly recommend going for aftermarket tubes versus OEM flush tubes.  PureGold makes great tubes special purpose tubes.  if you want just generic choke tubes for shooting anything Carlson makes black sporting clays tubes that are extended to pattern better with a lot of different constrictions.  i have some and they work well.  here's a link....  http://www.choketube.com/choke-tube-product-details.php?Benelli-Mobil-Choke-Tubes&mf=3

Thanks db. Looked at the products. Much appreciate that link.

 

I have not had a LOT of experience with steel loads, probably no more than 500 rounds, BUT I have not had good results with full choke tubes even if they were designed for steel.

A few years ago I started using IC tubes for all of the shooting I do with steel, and I began to have much better results.

The more I talk to local shops I am starting to lean towards just the IC as well Pygmy.