Steel shot vs lead shot...

Super-Dave · January 16, 2009, 10:36 PM

Does steel shot significantly damage the barrel much more than lead shot?

If so suppose I had a brand new smooth bore shotgun and all I fired was steel shot, what would the life expectancy of the barrel be?

banditt007 · January 17, 2009, 02:01 AM

I'm not one to accurately answer that question for you but i'd venture to guess only the choke would have a tiny bit more wear. being that all the shotgun pellets are within the wad on their trip out the barrel... no lead to barrel contact. someone correct me if i'm wrong.

Dave McC · January 17, 2009, 03:54 PM

Have I mentioned how much I loathe "vs" theads?

Nope. Even given a heavy diet of steel shot, the barrel will last longer than we will given decent PM.

nutty ned · January 17, 2009, 07:27 PM

Super-Dave it makes no difference with the proper choke.
Older fixed full choke only guns could be damaged.
Guns with choke tubes made for steel will not be damaged.
Modern barrels with a fixed mod or bigger choke won't be damaged either.

January 16, 2009, 10:36 PM	#1
Super-Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 795	Steel shot vs lead shot... Does steel shot significantly damage the barrel much more than lead shot? If so suppose I had a brand new smooth bore shotgun and all I fired was steel shot, what would the life expectancy of the barrel be? __________________ If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever. George Orwell

January 17, 2009, 02:01 AM	#2
banditt007 Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2006 Posts: 694	I'm not one to accurately answer that question for you but i'd venture to guess only the choke would have a tiny bit more wear. being that all the shotgun pellets are within the wad on their trip out the barrel... no lead to barrel contact. someone correct me if i'm wrong.

January 17, 2009, 03:54 PM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Have I mentioned how much I loathe "vs" theads? Nope. Even given a heavy diet of steel shot, the barrel will last longer than we will given decent PM.

January 17, 2009, 07:27 PM	#4
nutty ned Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 765	Super-Dave it makes no difference with the proper choke. Older fixed full choke only guns could be damaged. Guns with choke tubes made for steel will not be damaged. Modern barrels with a fixed mod or bigger choke won't be damaged either.