Isn’t it funny? Old Myths
Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: FireArms, et cetera
Forum Name: Shotguns, Shotgun Ammunition and Shotshell Reloading
Forum Description: Scattergun afficionados meet here!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=24229
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 18:43
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Topic: Isn’t it funny? Old Myths
Posted By: d4570
Subject: Isn’t it funny? Old Myths
Date Posted: 01 May 2014 at 03:20
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Some Myths' just will not die.
#1 Never shoot steel shot in a full choke gun, Wrong ! If you want to shoot with a tighter pattern and longer distances you need a very tight choke and BIG shot. The Myth come from the first generation steel shot and the old soft steel shotguns. the old shells weren't sealed moisture tight and the shot COULD rust together and make a steel slug. When pushed through your old Parker's choke some times it would make a slight bulge in the choke area. Mostly cosmetic in single barreled guns , just a bit less choke...Not a problem now days. #2 Steel shot just bounces off the ducks and geese. There again back in the day ,yes most steel shells where a bit anemic and under powered. Just can't load'n like lead, you need speed and bigger shot to carry energy to kill birds. Bigger pay loads going faster is key. I like shells that run right under the speed limits of your choke normally 1500 fps. Size does matter. Just forget any thing about lead when you pick steel shot size, distance will dictate the shot size not the size of the bird. Bigger shot , farther distance. BUT after about BBB the air and feather resistance is so poor there just not a good choice. #3- 2 3/4",3", 3 1/2" ??? Gets a little fuzzy here. Most cases a 2 3/4 just cant stuff enough shot in to make a good water foul shell. All in all a 3" is a vey good choice the 3 1/2 does carry more shot but normally with less speed, and way more recoil and price. If you need very big shot a 3 1/2" is the way to go but a 3" for most cases is very serviceable. #4 12 v 10 gauge. YES a 12 3 1/2 and a 10 gauge are about the same, Kinda. With a 10 the steel will exit the larger boar in a lot better pattern in fact I have seen info that says an 8 gauge would be the optimum size to shoot larger shot steel, to bad we cant use'm... Any others that just don't pertain to todays shot gunning? ------------- Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box |
Replies:
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 01 May 2014 at 12:39
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So a 2 bore mounted on the end of your boat is out?.....When did this happen? What ever happened to the bismuth rounds? Thought that stuff was nearly as good as lead and a whole lot greener? ------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 01 May 2014 at 13:03
A 2 gauge punt gun would tip my boat over... Bismuth is still around just under different names, Nice shot, ITX 10 ext.. ------------- Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box |
Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 01 May 2014 at 15:14
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Came across an old picture somewheres of a fella holding onto a 4 bore fouler. Musta had a 6-7 foot barrel on that old monster, but the caption stated he was known for taking up to 8 birds with one volley! .....OFFHAND!!!! I'ld call him Sir!
------------- ...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt! |
Posted By: samchap
Date Posted: 01 May 2014 at 16:55
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I have a 3" Win Mod 12 full choke duck hunter model. The
barrel steel is as thick as a silver dollar. I put steel shot through it when it became manditory and have never noticed a change in the choke. Played around with 6s, 5s, 4s, 2s, BBs, Ts, and Fs. After years of trial I found that 2s were my go to shot size so I filled up my ammo can with 2s, BBs, Ts and Fs and some #4 buckshot for coyotes. In the pre SS days all I ever used were 7.5s and 6s in the belt with 3 2s in my pocket along with 3 #4 buck. Two 7.5s followed by a 6. Most of my hunting was jump shooting with a little low crawl thrown in. Only occasionally shot over decoys. Always used 4s on eiders and late season Canadian Blacks. ------------- samchap - Waldoboro, ME Be careful what you decide to not like. Your wife may wear one. Your son may ride one. Your daughter may bring one home. You may have to have one someday. |
Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 02:16
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Samchap; My dad had the same gun, a Winchester model 12 Heavy Duck Gun, 3" chamber and a raised rib if I remember correctly. His pheasant gun was a model 12 2&3/4" chamber. It had either 4 or 5 numerals in the S/N. I know it was an early production gun because it had another special feature, but can't remember just what it was. Maybe a take-down? In any case, when he moved to Arizona he sold them. Didn't even call me to ask if I wanted them! Grrrrr!! You want old-time controversy? How about the raging debate over roll crimp or star crimp shells? 900F ------------- Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!! |
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 05:10
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I do that too.
With a roll crimp you can get a smidgen more shot or powder in the same space. A star crimp Lets the PSI get a smidgen higher so your speed is a smidgen faster. I roll crimp my coyote loads so I can see at a glance there not bird shot, My 3 1/2 shells always crush when I do a star so I roll crimp them too. I use a clear plastic over shot card and I can look in to the shell and see the shot size... ------------- Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box |
Posted By: RobertMT
Date Posted: 02 May 2014 at 08:37
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Last time I went duck hunting, was the first year, they required steel shot. ------------- Want to stop Drunk Drivers, from Killing Sober Drivers? Ban Sober Drivers from Driving. That's how Gun Control Works. NRA Benefactor Life, GOA Patriot, SAF |
Posted By: jh45gun
Date Posted: 05 May 2014 at 23:48
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I have a 870 3 inch that I traded off the modified barrel and bought a new replacement with screw in chokes. The full choke is rated for lead or steel and I have never had an issue with it and get good patterns using steel shot with it.
------------- In times of tyranny and injustice when law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 01:56
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My duck gun is a Rem 870 pump. Interesting thing is that for 25 years I was a ardent duck hunter and knew every swamp and slough. One night, about 35 years ago, when paddling back to my truck, I saw a barrel sticking in the ground close to my take out point. It was an 870 barrel with a 3" chamber. what made it interesting, beside just having been abandoned, was the the barrel was blown open and serrated for the first 5 inches of it 28 inch length. I figure some dude had fallen into the mud and jammed his barrel into the earth, then tried to clear it by firing it...instant blunderbuss!!! Figuring his friends would laugh, he made a tomato stake out of it (sort of like a savage). Being German by heritage, I'm thrifty. So I had the barrel cut back to 22 inches and Poly-Choke installed. Great outfit for waterfowl and turkeys. I hunted it all day yesterday! |
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 02:26
 ------------- Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box |
Posted By: jh45gun
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 06:42
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I have a 97 Winchester cut to 20 inches that I thought of getting it threaded for Remington Choke tubes there is a guy out east who does it reasonable but I gave it some thought and decided I did not want to take a chance on sending it out to get it done. So I will leave it open choke and use it as an early grouse gun and defense gun. ------------- In times of tyranny and injustice when law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history |