Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Can I shoot steel?

I have JL Galef single shot in 20ga. I'd like to use it for pheasant but where I hunt I am required to shoot steel. The barrel has a fixed choke of unknown restriction, though through a little research, I have found that the majority of these guns are choked full. So, as per the title, can I shoot steel? Thanks!

You can, but there's a pretty good chance that lots of it will damage the barrel in some fashion or another.

You can shoot it just fine for safety purposes.

It might bulge your barrel a little near the choke. If it is just a cheap old single shot, then blast away, nobody will ever care.

If it is something high end, then no way.

It's not a high dollar gun, but I'd just as soon not damage it. Other than bismuth, are there any other non-toxic choices that would be safe?

I think that the new Hevi-X is advertised for old guns.

I think that Kent Tungsten-Matrix is for old guns too.

But Bismuth is by far the most affordable.

Part of the "can I shoot steel" equation is the size of shot you are using. I've shot a lot of steel 7s in my modified and IC choked guns with no damage (as measured with an interior dimension dial caliper). But the bigger the shot, the more likely the damage.

Another factor is that this gun may have a chrome-lined bore, following the original Beretta "Companion" design. That might mitigate the damage potential of shooting steel. It also makes re-choking more expensive since the 'smith needs to use a specially-hardened reamer. I don't remember the Italian for "chromed" but it is something like "cromati" or "canne chromate". If your barrel has anything like that stamped on it, you probably could shoot steel 7s in it with no damage.

As you note, these more inexpensive Italian guns tend to be choked tighter than a gnat's azz, so you may want to get it opened to IC anyway. Just let the 'smith know beforehand if it has a chromed bore--I got a decent cussing from a 'smith who didn't believe me when I told him how hard "hard chrome" is. Cost him a reamer.

Thanks for the info fellas. This is a MAVI manufactured gun, BTW, not a Beretta, don't know if that makes a difference. Have thought about getting the choke opened up, not sure I want to spend the money though, got other priorities, like saving for a nice O/U. Think I'll just buy a box of bismuth and use it sparingly.

Bismuth will work and also my favorite, Kent Tungsten Matrix. Before you faint at the cost, consider this: you will have "lead performance" and in the context of all you might spend on gas, food, and other things, hunt-related, the cost of these loads will decrease. And also, consider how few (maybe more) shots you will also take in a day, and again you will have "lead performance."

The KTM are nearly - very close - in density to lead but are softer so your gun is safe.

If carry steel and shoot lead. Make sure you change shells when old greenness is walking up on you

Here the feds carry metal testers and check every shell you are carrying...