STEEL SHOT WITH OLDER SECLECT CHOKE on Mossberg 20 GA

[atr]

I HAVE an older Mossberg 20 GA. x 3" chamber with a "select Choke",,,,I've been told not to fire steel shot through this choke..
my questions:
1. why not steel shot?
2. Will the choke be ruined if just a few shots with steel have been fired?

thanks
atr

[starnbar]

First thing is how old a shotgun and barrel/choke? steel shot has been around awhile but it will seriously beat up a non steel barrel and choke.

[Idz]

The charge of steel shot will lock up into a solid mass and won't fit through the choke. Lead shot can deform to squeeze through. Steel shot guns usually have a larger choke size and a hardened steel choke tube to prevent damage.

[atr]

its a Mossberg 385KB and as far as I can tell it was manufactured sometime after 1983

[starnbar]

If it is made for steel shot it should say it on the barrel near where it designates the choke and shell size

[Hogtamer]

Steel doesn't require as much choke...don't use less than modified. i do believe you can buy new screw-in chokes for steel or lead that will fit your mooseburg if the old ones are not so designated.

[Minerat]

Steel stays tighter then lead rule of thumb i.e. Modified = Full; Improved Cylinder = Modified. etc. I won't shoot steel thru my full choke guns I like them too much. Besides I have enough of the screw choked one's to not to have to ruin my Model 12 -20g, the Browning A-5 20ga (Belgian) or the Monkey Ward's Double Barrel .410 :bigsmyl2:

[too many things]

it will work if you stay to the open side of modified. BUT do you have STEEL wads? there is a difference you cant use lead wads for steel .

[Safeshot]

I think that the shotgun has an adjustable choke not screw in choke tubes. You may want to check with Mossberg to see what they recommend before trying any steel shot. There other, non lead, alternatives for steel shot.

[flounderman]

I wouldn't worry about shooting steel in it as long as you open it up to modified or a little more open. I would pattern it on improved cylinder and see how that looks first.