Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns older shotguns and steel shot?

What should I know about older shotguns and steel shot?

IE a early 60's browning superposed.

Do any states have a lead shot ban for upland game or clay birds?

Browning does not guarantee their B25 for steel shot and has since produced O/U with specially designed chokes (e.g. : the Invector chokes). I went through this when my country banned lead shot around waterways. I contacted FN-Browning and asked if my two B25's would suffer fron steel shot. They told me they most surely would and I consequently acquired a Browning 525 in 12 ga 3" with Invector "steel" chokes.


B25's 12 ga Special Chasse (no steel)


B525 12 ga Mag with Invector chokes (OK for steel)

Besides federal lands in South Dakota, lead shot is banned on state controlled lands. Stupid, but makes enforcement easier.

With that gun I'd be looking at the Kent Impact Tungston Matrix. It really hurts the pocketbook, but is like shooting lead.

All US state land?

No, state land in South Dakota. All Federal Waterfowl Production Areas are non-tox only also.

Whatever you decide as an alternative, don't shoot steel shot in any Belgian Browning Barrel...particularly a Superposed. The barrel steel that was/is used by FN is different than what you'll find on a Citori made in Japan (steel shot won't hurt a Japanese made Browning). I've heard that due to the pressure created by the steel rounds a slight bulging of the barrels near the chokes will occur. I've heard of this causing ribs to seperate from the barrel, barrels seperating from one another, etc. While I've heard that it won't affect the pattern of the shotgun it will devalue the shotgun significantly. I don't let steel anywhere near my Belgium Brownings...I bought a Citori specifically for shooting steel...it's a much cheaper alternative.