Subject: Re: AYA side by side shotgun questions
Don,
There are no shotshell restrictions with the Mod 4/53, just to use the
correct cartridge length it was proved for, and the corect load.
As far as I know, all steel shot cartridges that you buy are loaded
with plastic cup wads, and as long as the chokes are not too tight for
steel, you should be ok .
If you are a reloader, It may be wise to use fibre shot cups. The rule
of thunb is that you only need half the choke required for lead with
steel shot. Steel shot holds together better in flight. and for example,
.015" of choke will throw a full choke pattern. If you can afford
bismuth shot cartridges, then you can shoot those in any choke
configuration. If you have too tight chokes in a gun, like Full or Improved
Modified, this can result in bulging at the choke with steel.
You can also get screw in chokes fitted for Steel shot, which I think
is the way to go, except in the case of a best English gun.
Usual old writings by gun writers, they just spead alarm and
despondency, Of course if you use steel shot not in a cup wad, you will get
scoring of the bores, and of course with too tight a choke you will get
problems. I dont know if chromed bores would be susceptable to damage by
steel shot. However there is no need for chromed bores in a gun. It was
first brought in as a guard against rusting, but in this day and age of
non rusting primers in cartridges, it is not needed.
If you do decide to order an AYA Mod 4/53, you can order it with chokes
open enough for steel, or with barrels slightly thicker to allow for
fitting Briley steel shot choke tubes
Best regards,
Jack Rowe