Steel Shot Long barrel need some advise

[jfish]

Thought this would be a good place to get the straight and skinny on a steel shot question.
Beginning to look like I may be going goose hunting next weekend with a fellow TFer and will need to pick up some shot. It has been many years since my last goose trip, actually back in the lead shot days... I would like to use my favorite old goose gun from days past but have never shot any steel through it. Here's the question. It happens to be a 32" full choke (3" chamber) and I was wondering what the deal was regarding shooting steel through such a long, full choke barrel? As far a #2 lead it was a great bird gun years ago and of course that is why I was leaning toward carrying it next weekend. Can I shoot steel through such a long barrel or should I look toward carrying one of my shorter barreled screw in choke guns? Any advise from guys that shoot a lot of steel would help on this one.. Thanks JIM

[naked goby]

Steel and full chokes don't mix.

I shoot Hevishot and steel through improved cylinder choke. The guys I was with today were amazed at my 50+ yd shots. Hevishot is the ******....expensive ******, but well worth it.

I've been using #4 Hevishot for geese.

[Bullbuster]

jfish

what kind of gun is it.

[jfish]

The gun is a Browning A5

[boondoggle]

Steel would likely cause or a barrel buldge so...

Kent Matrix 2s . Won't harm your barrel and will stone 'em. Yes, you can kill birds at a distance with these and hevishot but shooting in the lips (when you can see their lips) is much, much more effective.

Your A5 will like these shells and might even think it was back on a lead diet.

[richard labounty jr]

We shoot steel shot through or browning every time we go with no bulge.Improved cylinder would be a much better choice with hard steel shot.Heavy shot or one of the more expensive blends that have some of the same properties of lead and not hard like steel would probably be your best choice for shooting your trusty ole goose gun.I hope you have a smoking trip.

[crow]

Shouldn't be a problem shooting steel through it, I use my Browning 10gauge with a 30 inch barrel all the time

[richard labounty jr]

the reason why it would be a better choice is when you try to comprees steel into a tighter pattern it makes your pattern go to S##t.I am speaking from experience on this.the harder pellets compressing to leave the barrel make for a nasty pattern,but in no way did it affect the integrity of my barrel.

[trex]

I wouldn't recommend shooting steel through your gun either. It probably wouldn't hurt it shooting steel one time, but like mentioned before your pattern isn't going to be much to brag about. Bismuth, or matrix would be the way to go. Hevi shot would be worse than shooting steel on your gun as it is harder. If you didn't want to plop the cash for the Hevi-shot for one of your other guns then I would go with fast steel in the 1500+fps range and anything from BB's on up. Light modifiend and modified choke. BB's will kill them out to 40yds.

[Feeshon]

Give them the bismuth - you will knock a goose down with #4's at 45 yards. #2's even better. Killed two at 45 + yards last week with #4's. Don't think about the fact that its $2.00 per shot and your aim will stay true.

Feeshon [grin]