A never ending question

It’s a question I am asked seemingly daily at the moment,

The steel shot issue around whether it can be used in guns NOT proved for steel.

I will pass no comment on the politics of this question, nor on the performance of steel shot, agree with it or not, the lead ban is coming.

There is no need for alarm on this subject, provided a few rules are followed, and a few checks are carried out, it really is business as usual.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation around this issue, so I thought some clarity may reassure people with older guns and of course some newer ones.

First and foremost guns should be in proof and be in good condition, ie barrels tight on the action, free from pitting, bulges, rivelling etc, and nitro proved, this goes for lead shot as well as steel, and have barrel wall thicknesses sufficiently thick.

With steel shot use choking is of utmost importance, too tight and you will run the risk of damaging the gun beyond repair, at worst it may burst with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Chokes must not be tighter than 1/2, or 20 thou of constriction, I personally would prefer to see a maximum choke of 1/4 or approximately 10 thou constriction. This is vital, ignore this rule at your peril.

This is because steel shot will not compress like lead does at the choke and the potential for the pressure to spike well above the guns proof pressure is very real.

Barrel wall thicknesses in my view should be in excess of 24 thou, the thinner the barrel wall the more likely they will be damaged using steel shot.

Guns should be tight and on face, if it’s not get it re-jointed.

Provided that all the above is adhered to there is no reason why steel shot cannot be used in guns that have not been proved for steel quite safely.

I have heard that steel should not be used in Damascus barrels, I’m sort of on the fence on this one, if the barrels are in good condition and nitro proved, then I can’t see a problem, but some testing is required and guidance from the proof house.

You can’t guess on this one folks, take your gun to a reputable gunsmith and have your gun checked and barrels measured properly, and please don’t use those brass choke gauges, they cannot be relied on to give an accurate measurement.

You will be able to shoot your old English gun and others with steel shot without issue provided a few rules are met, and let’s be honest here, guns that for example are loose, or off their face shouldn’t be shot with lead never mind steel, I see lots of guns that are loose.

There is no need to have guns re-proved for steel shot, or superior proof.

One thing that this issue will do when in force is thin out the guns with excessively thin barrels which in my view is a good thing, and there are a lot that are in use with very thin barrels which in my opinion are an accident waiting to happen.

I shoot an Alexander Henry side by side that I have had for many years, built in 1904, that I have shot steel cartridges for years with no problems at all, maybe a little more plastic fouling in the barrels but that’s all.

Chokes maximum of 1/2 preferably 1/4

Barrel wall minimum of 24 thou

Gun should be tight and on its face

Barrels free from pitting, bulges, dents, rivelling

Nitro proof to 850 bar or 3 tonnes per square inch.

This is meant as guidance only, it is for the individual to judge whether or not their gun is safe to shoot with steel cartridges, but given the potentially higher pressures involved, it is essential to have your gun checked, if in any doubt get it checked.

I hope this brief explanation gives some reassurance regarding this issue.

Happy shooting.

Mark