I have a 1949 barrel coded Remington 11-48 with a Poly-Choke Deluxe (ported/ventilated). I bought a case of cheap Winchester #6 steel shot target ammo for fun and in case I go somewhere that requires non-toxic for birds or small game. Would these shells be safe in the 11-48 and, if so, what's the maximum safe choke setting?
ben501st
I own a 1951 11-48 with a full choke barrel. That gun saw a pretty steady diet of 1 1/4oz #2 steel with no measureable damage. No walnut behind the choke and no undue wear to the choke itself.
That said, bear in mind that the choice was mine and I made the choice I did because I a) did not have any real attachment to the gun, and b) I wanted to see for myself what would happen. There is really no danger in shooting steel out of your gun. About the only damage that is possible is a bulge in the barrel right behind the choke area. Now I've never seen one, but Roster claims that the bulge is purely cosmetic and will not effect the performance of the gun.
If you're still leary, consider the CIP recommendations for the use of steel loads in guns not specifically proofed for steel. For a 12ga, keep the load down to less than 1 1/8oz, the velocity to less than 1400fps (CIP actually says 1300, but that's at a shade over 8 feet, not the 3 foot SAAMI spec), the shot size to #4 or smaller and the choke no tighter than modified.
Frank
That said, bear in mind that the choice was mine and I made the choice I did because I a) did not have any real attachment to the gun, and b) I wanted to see for myself what would happen. There is really no danger in shooting steel out of your gun. About the only damage that is possible is a bulge in the barrel right behind the choke area. Now I've never seen one, but Roster claims that the bulge is purely cosmetic and will not effect the performance of the gun.
If you're still leary, consider the CIP recommendations for the use of steel loads in guns not specifically proofed for steel. For a 12ga, keep the load down to less than 1 1/8oz, the velocity to less than 1400fps (CIP actually says 1300, but that's at a shade over 8 feet, not the 3 foot SAAMI spec), the shot size to #4 or smaller and the choke no tighter than modified.
Frank
Go pattern it, I'd fire a round of #6 lead on the mod setting for a baseline and then try the IC setting first with the steel and compare results. You can expect to see a tighter pattern with the steel using the IC and mod settings and I wouldn't use more constriction than mod.
I have an early 11-48 w/ vent poly that I used when steel was first introduced. #4 steel through IC had no ill effects.
"Safe" = likely, if you call pounding out forcing cones safe. Not steel-approved.ben501st said:
Can you produce any documented evidence of damaged forcing cones by modern steel ammunition?RandyWakeman said:
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