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Hevi vs. Steel

3K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  tstrong 
#1 ·
I am new this year to this waterfowl hunting. I have been using the hevi shot since my friend said he had some problems with steel making more cripples and losing geese and ducks. I was also concerned about using my Rem. 870 with steel. The phrase on the steel shot box saying may damage some guns. Vage enough to make me afraid to use it in any gun. I am using a full choke in my 870 magnum and don't have a modified barrel. I have just alwaysed used full for every thing.

Will BB steel destroy my gun compared to the #2 Hevi I have been using for geese and maybe a steel replacement for #4 or #6 heavy for ducks?

:help:

Rob
 
#4 ·
as mentioned above....also, if the steel shot is large....BB, BBB,T or F, the damage inflicted on a fixed fukll choke is definitly going to occur....you may be OK using smaller shot sizes such as 4's

HEVI is even tougher on barrels than steel, even those that are chrome lined which your is not.

If you like the gun that much, you may wish to consider a new barrel with a choke device....heck, that's only $150 or so at most, and will provide you with a significantly more versatile firearm

Lastly.....just use 2's on the geese and wait until they are within 35 yards....you will do fine scoring clean kills
 
#5 ·
Well, there is an eye opener. They told me the hevi was OK at the store. I'll have to go back and thank them for the bad advice.

I also have a mossberg 500 that was bought for my wife, but she does not shoot it so I could use it for waterflowl. It has the replacable choke system. If I get choke tubes made for heavy or steel will it be safe in that gun?
 
#6 ·
I shot steel out of my trusty' 1100 for two consecative years, this was my everything gun......well my everything gun was completely ruined!!!!! I patterned it with buckshot ( oh crud).....I patterned it with birdshot (oh crud)..... I had opened the barrell up to the point where it was completely open :help: I ended up getting the barrel threaded for what I thought was going to be rem. chokes but they put Hastings in it. I shot the three chokes made for steel that they gave me and I am still shooting it today. Make sure that the chokes are made for steel shot or you will ruin it :cool:
 
#7 ·
So, that was a yes? It will be safe with the new steel or hevi tubes?

And can you shoot steel with hevi tubes and hevi with steel tubes?
 
#8 ·
I use a Mossy ---- actually bought it as a 'throw-awy' to use in the salt, but it has been very good to me....I use a standard screw in choke and have excellent killing patterns with 2 shot and 1's....bigger shot will require the accusteel tubes which will fit your Mossy....I do not worry too much about the 'factory' style screw in choke....they are only $17,....the accusteel are more expensive and do a great job throwing the larger shot and are well worth it
 
#9 ·
Hevi shot patterns very tight. You will be better off using a more open choke tube. Don't shoot anything larger than #2 hevi iin your full choke gun. If your 870 is an older gun without screw in chokes, you really dont have much choice. If it has screw in chokes look on the side of the choke if it says lead shot only you will know wether you can shoot steel. If it doesn't your fine. Your 870 is made good enough to shoot either steel or hevi though.You can find more info on the hevishot website, and probably Remingtons site also.
I hope that answers your questions. Take care and good hunting to you.
Don
 
#10 ·
i love hevi-shot, and for the amount of shooting in saves you in not having to knock down cripples, i isnt all that expensive. ive got my limit with a box of 10(6 ducks), while other guys burned up 2 boxes of shells apiece. it not only makes you look better, it makes you better, knowing that if you do your job, that ducks comin down. :mrgreen: all i can say is try it. i still use steel on opener or when the ducks are at very short range, though. i carry both
 
#11 ·
I only use Hevi shot brand. I think it is well worth it although, I would like to see the price come down a few dollars. You can use hevi shot with a full choke. You should not use tighter than a modified for steel, some say an IM. Fuul ckokes on steel actually decrease your pattern.
 
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