Steel Shot

[Mark R]

Will using steel shot in a shotgun that is at least 30 years old damage the barrel & choke? What about shooting slugs? I have a Remington 870 that I have had since the mid eighties and it wasn't new then. Would I damage it by using it to hunt deer with slugs or use steel shot in it at a game farm?

[stinkycat]

I was told way back when, in the late 80's, that as long as your choke was not "full" and more like "modified" you should be OK with steel shot. I had a barrel of an early 70's bored out from "full" to "modified" and it has worked great. By the way that also was an 870. Great pump shotgun. As far as slugs... can't see why it would hurt.

[MrStarnes1]

check on the barrel, most will say something otherwise pull the choke and it will give you some details also
as a last resort check with remington and see if they have anything to say. easier and cheaper to make a phone call rather than watch a barrel go "poof"

[yarcraft91]

I hunted ducks for twenty years with an 870 Wingmaster I bought new in 1976. I put a lot of steel shot through both the Improved and Modified barrels I bought at the time- no damage to either that I can see. Biggest mistake I made back then was not buying the 3" magnum version of that shotgun.

[stinkycat]

Also, I have a Browning B-2000 I think was made in the early 80's. It took me quite a bit of time but I found a barrel 3" chamber with mod choke. Shot tons of steel through this barrel and no damage that I can see.