Older Shotgun Question

E

Erik Mion

Member
Hey guys,
My friend has an old remington model 29 shotgun and we've been wondering how bad it would be to shoot steel shot through this older barrel. Ive heard a lot of different things for a lot of different people.
Any input would be appreciated
Thanks
-Erik
 
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I will guarantee remington will tell you a big no. I'm not even a lawyer and I'd tell remington to tell you no.

Now is it safe and will it do harm to the gun are two different questions. I shoot steel in some older guns but they are not quite that old. If, and this is a big if, it is in very good shape a 1930s gun can handle modern pressures. Good shape means no major pits in the barrel and the action locks up well. If the gun has a tight choke, like many older guns do, then it could do harm to the barrel but it would technically be safe. Many older guns with tight chokes that have shot steel will show a slight ring bulge near the choke. That is a big reason why older SxS's with tight chokes should not have steel run through them without being opened up. It doesn't ruin a single barreled gun but isn't helping it any either. It use to be people worried about scoring, that never was a serious issue and with better wads now it is not anything to worry about. The bulge near the choke and just making sure the gun is sound to begin with are what is important.

Me having shot steel in several 1940s and 50s winchesters wouldn't tell anyone else to do it. I would say to be realistic if you do. It is a shotgun built around 1930. Only slower 4s and 6s, no high speed BBs through an old tight choke please.

Tim
 
As Chris said call Remington. Working on guns for loong time, I would not put steel through the 29. It's a classic let it rest, take it out and shoot some light lead and have fun.
 
I've been down this same road so many times with my love for classic shotguns, particularly doubles. The people I trust the most with lots of experience tell me that about any gun made in the last 75 yrs or so that are in good sound condition, with good barrel thickness, chokes of mod opening or more (I prefer IC or more my self), shot size of 3 or 4 or smaller, with velocities under 1400 fps should be fine.
 
read worth mathewsons post from a few years ago on using steel shot in older guns Bill
 
Hey guys,
My friend has an old remington model 29 shotgun and we've been wondering how bad it would be to shoot steel shot through this older barrel. Ive heard a lot of different things for a lot of different people.
Any input would be appreciated
Thanks
-Erik
Click to expand...


Is it 3 1/2"?
 
Yeah, 2 3/4" isn't a problem. Any bird in North America can be shot without an over length shell. I'm sure Tod would tell you it isn't the size that matter just how you use it. Hmmmm... Might be why he was bringing up viagra the other day. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww :O

If the friend is new to waterfowling I'd get an 870 or Nova. Not to shoot anything longer but to have peace of mind. The 29 is most likely safe if in good condition but it does take a learned mentality to limit yourself some.

Tim
 
Rich~

I am curious about the concerns raised when shooting steel through older single-barrel guns. I shoot a Winchester Model 12 circa 1925 - 12 gauge, 2 3/4", full choke. I have been shooting Kent Fasteel 3s and BBs through it for about 10 years now - a few hundred birds' worth. So, my question is: What harm is being done or could be done?

View attachment Christmas Eve 2011 - vs.jpg

Early in the steel shot era (when I was working for DEC), shotgun ballistics expert Tom Roster told us that it was mostly finer, thin-walled doubles that were of concern - because ring bulge could part the barrels. Now, on the web, I see lots of concern about steel in older guns. Is barrel damage the concern? or is it the action, too? (I am loathe to give up my cherished Model 12....)

Thanks very much,

SJS
 
the concern is that steel doesnt compress when going through the chokes so you have the possibility of a ring bulge in front of the choke if the shot bridges there. There is less concern if the choke is more open and the shot sizes are smaller.
With doubles there is also concern about the same bridging causing the ribs to seperate or become loose.
The action isnt an issue.
I would just buy bismuth ITX or nice shot rather than risk the gun but its your gun, I dont think it is un safe just hard on the gun
 
Actually both, but it depends on the gun and shells. My brother shoots his model 12 heavy duck full choke with steel all the time, generally not larger than 2's and has had no problems. In the larger pellet size there is less compacting of the shot possible which could ring buldge a barrell. Same with cheaper barrel steel vibrations from the steel could seperate the ribs. In 10 years if you havent had any ring buldges your probably ok. However with the current stupid craze of faster is better loads, some factory loads are producing pressures higher than SAAMI allows even for modern guns. This has been independently tested with a pressure gun, as many commercial companies only mathmatecally figure pressures. Not to mention to get these speeds they are reducing the ounces of shot, which makes the pattern lense dense and you are gainiing minimal effective killing range. Just like a whiffel ball. Using these loads could cause problems with actions and not just on old guns and what are you gaining? In my 1926 Smith long range, I have had chokes opened up to Mod/IC and shoot slower steel.
 
My sterlingworth is a 1913. I opened the chokes to I/C and mod and have been shooting slower steel 6 and 4 shot with no problems. My biggest problem seems to be finding the slower steel!! John
 
fiocchi 123S, but looks like its discontinued used to get that in 4's.

fiocchi 123SGW golden waterfowl smallest shot size is 3's
 
My Model 12 16ga, was made in 1935, with modified choke. Bought many boxes of Winchester steel 4's for it years ago. Over decoys it's my favorite shotgun and steel shot load.
I'm down to my LAST box, and am doin' my best to find a equal replacement load, as Winchester no longer makes the shells. I check the barrel often, so far NO problems.
No doubt the shotgun will out live me, as it has it's previous owner.......... They don't make em like that anymore.
 
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