Can I Use Steel Shot

[Country Life 0]

Hi All

 

I have a Baikal 12g o/u d/t.

 

I would like to use it for Duck, but I am unsure if the gun is Proofed for Steel Shot.

 

It has the marking 74Mpa. I am lead to belive that this is rated to 740 bar. I am unable to recognise any other stamps, (not with my eyes)

 

Does anyone know what the stamp is for the steel rated shotguns.

 

I was also told that if I was to use Steel Shot with a plastic wad, it wouldnt mattter as the shot does not come into contact with the barrel, as it does with afibre wad, Is this correct. I would like to get to the bottom of this..

 

 

John

[SportingShooter 0]

Ooh Ballistics, my favourite subject!

 

Do you have a camera there which you could take some photographs of the Proof marks with and PM/Email them to me? or indeed post them on here.

 

The Steel Shot proof mark is the Fleur De Lis, which means that this gun is suitable for the use of High Performance steel shot for the chamber length of the gun.

 

Could you tell me what chokes are in he gun? Most recommend not using over half choke for all steel, though you can use tighter chokes if the Steel shot is smaller than 3.3mm(just below Enlgish No.3) I'd stick to half personally.

 

Is the gun 2 3/4" or 3" chambered?

 

If it is 2 3/4" then I very much doubt it is proofed for High Performance Steel, but you can still fire "Standard" steel which is what almost all 2 3/4" steel is (I have never seen 2 3/4" high performance)

 

The vast majority of Steel Shot cartridges will have a thick plastic wad to stop the shot coming into contact with the barrel, particularly at the choke end as steel shot will not compress anywhere near as much as Lead.

 

Sorry if some of that sounds baffling. If you can get some pics, then it should be easier.

 

Regards

SS

[Guest gooseman243]

Ooh Ballistics, my favourite subject!

 

Do you have a camera there which you could take some photographs of the Proof marks with and PM/Email them to me? or indeed post them on here.

 

The Steel Shot proof mark is the Fleur De Lis, which means that this gun is suitable for the use of High Performance steel shot for the chamber length of the gun.

 

Could you tell me what chokes are in he gun? Most recommend not using over half choke for all steel, though you can use tighter chokes if the Steel shot is smaller than 3.3mm(just below Enlgish No.3) I'd stick to half personally.

 

Is the gun 2 3/4" or 3" chambered?

 

If it is 2 3/4" then I very much doubt it is proofed for High Performance Steel, but you can still fire "Standard" steel which is what almost all 2 3/4" steel is (I have never seen 2 3/4" high performance)

 

The vast majority of Steel Shot cartridges will have a thick plastic wad to stop the shot coming into contact with the barrel, particularly at the choke end as steel shot will not compress anywhere near as much as Lead.

 

Sorry if some of that sounds baffling. If you can get some pics, then it should be easier.

 

Regards

SS

the highest load u can use in lead shot is 36 grams

[SportingShooter 0]

Highest Load of 36gram in Lead?

 

 

Sorry, but I don't see what that post mean.

[tom1cameron 1]

John

 

Your Gun is not Steel Shot proofed. But as sporting shooter says, you can use standard steel shot.

740 bar? Most standard proof is 960, but the 740 may refer to the serviceable pressure? See BASC leaflet on Steel shot

http://www.basc.org.uk/media/cip_regulatio...steel_shot1.pdf

 

 

The gooseman may be refering to your gun being proofed to 740 Bar when he states that the maximum in lead you could use is 36g, if he has calculated/knows the service pressure of a 36grm lead cartridge at normal velocity (1300fps/appx).

 

My advice to you is either, invest in a steel or magnum proof gun if you are going to be hunting duck regularly, or use bismuth. Bismuth is great, effective but it will cost you a pretty penny

[Country Life 0]

well thank you all for your comments... I know now that the gun is NOT proofed for steel as it is, it is a 2 3/4 but I asked my local gun shop the same question, his reply was you could use it with teel but only with a plastic wad... but even them i would dither on the caution.. enough said I think...any excuse for me to but a new gun

 

However this old gun of mine shall always remain in my hands it`s such a nice pleasure to use...not to mention a laugh when people try to use a double trigger for the first time..

 

NOWTHEN what would you go and buy.....I wonder...

 

Thanks lads

 

John

[claybusers al 9]

please dont put steel through any choke tighter than half it doesnt compress as already stated

[tom1cameron 1]

Both browning and beretta do their sporting O/U in steel proof now, but Lincoln and Lanber have also produced a wildfowling/field gun that is high proofed.

 

The new Franchi or Fabarm auto is also proofed to a high standard for high performance steel

 

If I had teh cash I would go for the Browning B525 waterfowler, 28" barrells MC

if not, then the new Lanber Field

[Country Life 0]

I am now looking into getting a "Beretta 687 Silver Pigieon V" Gonna have to talk the misses around to my way of thinking,

 

John