Difference between lead and steel?

kirbymagnum · July 2, 2006, 11:34 PM

What is the Difference when you reload lead or steel? Do you need different equipment?

918v · July 3, 2006, 12:55 AM

Shotshell or metallic?

Crosshair · July 3, 2006, 03:38 AM

I'm assuming it is shotshell. You can use the same loaders, but data for one can't be used for the other. I don't load shotshells so I hope someone else can explain the specifics.

kirbymagnum · July 3, 2006, 12:29 PM

It is for shotshells.

(1) Can you use the same dies?
(2) Do you just have to replace the lead with steel and the reloading data?

Ruger4570 · July 3, 2006, 01:36 PM

There are specific wads designed for steel shot along with different powders that work better. You should look up specific steel shot recipies and not simply replace components. Steel is not lead and if you ignore the proper components you will be flirting with disaster, if nothing more than a ruined barrel on your gun from steel abrasions and scoring.

amamnn · July 3, 2006, 01:41 PM

Even though steel shot is annealed these days, a lot of us myself included, feel that it is still too hard. I don't know anyone personally who has ruined his barrel with it, but why take the chance?
I mainly shoot trap and skeet, and the club recycles the lead, so I don't have any worries about lead polluting a duck pond.
Since the density of steel is less than lead, I am sure that you'll need to load a shell with different info. Alliant makes a powder specifically for steel shot. You might want to check their site for load data.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/

SOSARMS · July 3, 2006, 01:52 PM

One is magnetic and the other is not..........

Sorry guys........boring rainy day....had to do it !!!

Ifishsum · July 3, 2006, 01:55 PM

Most shotshell loaders will require a steel conversion kit, and the data and wads are quite different.

kirbymagnum · July 3, 2006, 07:20 PM

Thanks

silicon wolverine · July 5, 2006, 02:36 AM

amamn, my father in law beat the choke out of a remington 870 shooting steel shot. It didnt hurt the barrel but getting that sucker out was a PITA. we sent it in and remington told us not to shoot steel through a modified choke.

SW

July 2, 2006, 11:34 PM	#1
kirbymagnum Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 410	Difference between lead and steel? What is the Difference when you reload lead or steel? Do you need different equipment?

July 3, 2006, 03:38 AM	#3
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	I'm assuming it is shotshell. You can use the same loaders, but data for one can't be used for the other. I don't load shotshells so I hope someone else can explain the specifics. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

July 3, 2006, 01:41 PM	#6
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	steel shot Even though steel shot is annealed these days, a lot of us myself included, feel that it is still too hard. I don't know anyone personally who has ruined his barrel with it, but why take the chance? I mainly shoot trap and skeet, and the club recycles the lead, so I don't have any worries about lead polluting a duck pond. Since the density of steel is less than lead, I am sure that you'll need to load a shell with different info. Alliant makes a powder specifically for steel shot. You might want to check their site for load data. http://www.alliantpowder.com/ __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

July 3, 2006, 12:55 AM	#2
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	Shotshell or metallic?

July 3, 2006, 12:29 PM	#4
kirbymagnum Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 410	It is for shotshells. (1) Can you use the same dies? (2) Do you just have to replace the lead with steel and the reloading data?

July 3, 2006, 01:36 PM	#5
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	There are specific wads designed for steel shot along with different powders that work better. You should look up specific steel shot recipies and not simply replace components. Steel is not lead and if you ignore the proper components you will be flirting with disaster, if nothing more than a ruined barrel on your gun from steel abrasions and scoring.

July 3, 2006, 01:52 PM	#7
SOSARMS Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: The great Buckeye state...where nuts are not just for eating Posts: 623	One is magnetic and the other is not.......... Sorry guys........boring rainy day....had to do it !!!

July 3, 2006, 01:55 PM	#8
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	Most shotshell loaders will require a steel conversion kit, and the data and wads are quite different.

July 3, 2006, 07:20 PM	#9
kirbymagnum Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 410	Thanks

July 5, 2006, 02:36 AM	#10
silicon wolverine Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2006 Location: South dakota Posts: 674	amamn, my father in law beat the choke out of a remington 870 shooting steel shot. It didnt hurt the barrel but getting that sucker out was a PITA. we sent it in and remington told us not to shoot steel through a modified choke. SW