Can I shoot steel shot in this

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egd

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I have a Browning auto 3" magnum which used to have a 32" full choke barrel. I think my dad got this gun sometime in the late 60's or early 70's. Some years back, probably around the early 80's before steel shot was required I had the barrel cut off to 24" I think, and choke tubes put in. Don't ask me why as I have no idea now-I guess the devil made me do it.
Anyway, someone told me a few years back that because of the type of steel in the barrel I couldn't shoot steel shot in it. Is this true? I don't have any plans to hunt ducks with it, I haven't even shot it in years, but I'm just curious for some reason.
 
It was made in Belgium. I think it is an A5. It's the old square back Browning that was all there was as far as I can remember.
 
I can see no reason you can't shoot steel in it.
You cut the existing Full choke off when you shortened it 8".
That should have also given you much thicker muzzle walls, with plenty of room for the tube threads.

Just use Cyl, Imp Cyl, or at most Mod choke tubes with steel shot and I dont think it will hurt it a bit.

But, if you are not hunting migratory waterfowl, then there is no logical reason to use steel shot in it anyway...

rc
 
Yeah,I don't plan on it. But if by some miracle I did get an invite to go I just wanted to know if I could. Thanks everyone.
 
I had the barrel cut off to 24" I think, and choke tubes put in. Don't ask me why as I have no idea now-I guess the devil made me do it.

I'd have cut it too. A 32" full choke on a repeater is one long gun, and not very versatile. As an all around gun I might have cut it at 26" instead of 24". But either way you have a more useful shotgun especially with the ability to change chokes now.
 
No.
You cannot shoot steel in an original Belgium barrel regardless of choke and steel is not recommended to be fired through Japanese made barrels featuring fixed choke barrels.

The solution is to find a Jap made Invecta removable choke barrel and install it on your gun.
The will fit on all the Japanese guns and most of the Belgian postwar guns.
 
According to this NYT article, lead shot for waterfowl was phased out by area, 1987-1992.

In the past, some gunsmiths would ream forcing cones and expand chokes so that old lead-shot guns could shoot the then-new steel shot. I do not know how that worked out, but you might ask around to find out whether this service is still offered.
 
Thanks Kendal for that link. However after reading it I kinda think it supports rcmodel's post above since I have cut off any choke that was on it. That seems to be the key difference here--I think.
To me it seems to be a question of is the steel in the entire length of the barrel too soft for the steel shot, which I doubt, or, is the steel at the choke area too soft and would bulge at that point. And since it no longer has the choke we're back to question one.
Since I'm neither a shotgun expert or a steel expert I don't know. But the more I have thought about it I'm thinking I'd be ok.
 
My understanding (I'm not a shotgun guy) is that the entire barrels of older guns were too soft for the hard steel loads.

The barrel will develop scoring or gouging inside the bore from the harder shot so steel shot rated guns had higher heat treated barrels to withstand the abrasion.

I'd be smart and contact Browning or a real shotgun expert source before firing any steel through an older gun to avoid ruining a good barrel.

Here's what Browning says on their web site:

READ THE ENTIRE ANSWER BELOW BEFORE USING STEEL SHOT IN ANY FIREARM

All current Browning shotguns with the Standard Invector, Invector-Plus and DS choke tube systems are fully steel shot compatible with current factory loads. However, there are limitations to the compatibility of many older Browning shotguns with conventionally choked barrels. In certain models, shooting steel shot may cause a slight "ring bulge" just inches behind the muzzle or irreversible damage or harm to the shooter depending on the firearm. Accordingly, our recommendations concerning the use of steel shot in Browning shotguns is as follows:

1. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS:

All Browning shotguns with the Standard Invector, Invector-Plus or DS choke tube systems, However, we do not recommend the use of Invector full or extra full chokes with steel shot. They pattern too tightly, and sometimes result in a "blown" pattern.

2. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS EXCEPT THOSE WITH T, F, BB AND BBB SIZE SHOT:

The B-2000 and B-80 shotguns with conventional chokes (Non-Invector)

3. DO NO USE ANY STEEL SHOT LOADS:

The Belgian-made A-5, Superposed, Leige, and other Belgian Over/Under models, Double Automatic, American-made A-5 and all other models not listed in category 1 or 2. Note: Belgian Auto-5 barrels are interchangeable with the new Invector barrels which are made in Japan. With this new Invector barrel installed on the Belgian-made Auto-5 receiver, steel shot loads can be used.

YEAR OF PRODUCTION: Nearly all Browning firearms manufactured after 1975 have two letters in the serial number. The two letters indicate the year of manufacture: M=0, Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9.

FUTURE: Obviously, we have no control over the ammunition companies and the loads they will produce in the future. So, if in doubt, please check with us or the ammunition company before using new loads in your shotgun.
 
If you look at Remchoke and Invector barrels for those two manufacturers (Remington and Browning) you will that the barrels flare at the choke area, to be thicker to handle the screw in choke tubes. So common the look most people ignore it now. But back when that was the new thing, you should heard the old guys howl.

Barrels cut to reg wall thickness sections probably got thin walled aftermarket choke tubes.
Like Invector or Tru Choke.

Those are not rated for steel shot (or if so, are for only the small stuff).
Old Winchoke, Accuchoke, Invector (all the same) ran "steel shot choketubes" that had the constriction in an extended portion of the choketube. They were not flush fit.

Was called "accu steel" in the Mossberg version.

Invector Plus is the newer Browning choke tube system (there may yet be a newer version?). The Invector Plus is similar to the Remchoke.........longer and maybe even thicker. Can get flush fit steel shot choketubes.

I love a 30" full choke when using bismuth on geese, or lead on doves.
Long barrels have their place (heck I even killed a few turkeys with min, inside of 35 yards).

Chopping down a 32" magnum A5 barrel............you'd best be heading into church tomorrow for that one LOL.
 
Wads protect the barrels from scoring.

The issue is the resistance of the steel to the choke, stressing the choketube and or barrel threads.

Even if steel shot rated, some manufacturers tell you a cosmetic ring (exterior) may appear near that area over time.

If you're hunting that much my guess is the rig has a few other marks on it.
 
Well, I'm not going to shoot any steel in it, heck, no telling when I'll ever shoot it again anyway. If I get industrious I may try to call or email Browning and see what they say. If I do I'll post here. Thanks everyone.
 
Well, I'm not going to shoot any steel in it, heck, no telling when I'll ever shoot it again anyway. If I get industrious I may try to call or email Browning and see what they say. If I do I'll post here. Thanks everyone.
Good choice.
I posted the manufacturer recommendation not to shoot steel shot in the gun with the original barrel.
Now let me tell you why I follow those recommendations.
Back when steel shot became the law of the land I blew up two Remington 870 factory barrels with steel shot loads.
First barrel was a factory original plain barrel modified choke that split three inches forward of the breech
Second barrel was a 26" vent rib original improved cylinder that had choke tubes installed in a effort to see if that would make the barrel steel shot useful.
This worked for a while but after around 100-125 rounds that barrel also split just behind the choke tube area.
A second shot tuliped the muzzle.
By the grace of god no one was injured by either failure.
Remington Rem Choke barrels are readily available albeit a bit pricey, enough so it would really pay just to buy another gun and sometimes I wonder if that is the real reason steel shot came to be.
Unlike Remington,Browning barrels are not so easy to come by since the guns have been discontinued and when found will cost you as much or more than you paid for the gun.
Yet Browning, like any producer, will gladly supply you a brand spanking new gun steel shot ready if you are willing to pay the price.
And people complain about he 500 million guns in America when ridiculous "environmentally friendly", your pistol is now useless because it is full size and can now legally only hold ten rounds nonsense is the root cause...
 
My guess is your guns got blown up due to a stuck wad or backed out choketube.

Remington says their fixed choke barrels from a certain point (year) are steel shot compatible. But the use of steel shot will wear the choke over time (open it up).

I checked with Big Green on a Sportsman 58, and it was "good to go".
They of course said the more open the better (wear at lesser rate). Mine was imp cyl so with steel dove loads..........was no big deal.

IIRC modified was the most constriction they said could be used, and may have even given a shot size limit.

Choke tubes not done right (leaving a shelf or gap) or backing out..............has caused the death of barrels.

Quick search, popped right up.............

https://support.remington.com/General_Information/Can_I_use_steel_shot_in_my_shotgun_barrel?
 
I guess the question I would ask you is "Why would you try to shoot steel shot through this gun?" Best case it only ruins the gun barrel (which you should believe by now with all of the posts) and worst case it hurts someone...you or one of your hunting buddies. When I used to buy myself a new horse, I had 3000.00 deductible health insurance...so I figured that the first 3000.00 I spent getting a good horse was free... so whats your deductible? Save the gun, buy a new barrel or a different gun
 
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