16ga.com ~ View topic - Steel shot in Poly-Choke??

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3178 Location: NCWa

I have a Win M12 that has the full choke barrel shortened (removing the choke) and a Poly Choke added. The job was very well done by a qualified gunsmith. I previously used it with lead, but lands are now being closed to it so I am wondering two things: Are the newer improved steel shot loads kinder to old barrels? and 2. would it be possible to use steel shot in the barrel if the choke setting was no tighter than Improved Cylinder or possibly Modified?

*Last edited by skeettx on Thu Feb 15, 2024 1:38 pm; edited 2 times in total*

Yes, you can use steel.

I use IC for most applications

https://www.facebook.com/NitramPolyChoke/

http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19753&highlight=polychoke+steel

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 229 Location: MN

I have shot a bunch of steel 4's, and some two's and and three's thru "Poly-choke" devices on different 16 ga. guns. I have killed some ducks and noticed no changes to the gun or choke. I usual set it to IC or equivalent setting.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 691

As an FYI to everyone, the polychoke page on Facebook is dead and hasn't been touched since 2015.

I tried the Wayback Machine (actually the internet archive facility) and couldn't get a good retrieval.

I do remember seeing the business for sale on eBay for some ridiculous amount, considering that ROI would have been in the negative, so I think that they just faded out of business. I remember something about the "old lady" simply wanted out of it.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1310 Location: Western WA

I don’t recommend it but not knowing any better, for several seasons I avidly fired many rounds of steel T and BB at geese through the Polychoke on my 12ga M12 set to Full (and X Full when Full failed to drop them), with no ill effects, either to the gun, or typically to the geese either.

Also many boxes of steel 2 and 4 went through the Polychoke at ducks as well, with greater success and again no evident damage to the gun. Curiously, steel 2 for some unknown reason was particularly effective on ducks and pheasant, almost comparable to lead. I never enjoyed similar success with steel 4 or anything larger except the no. 2.

I no longer shoot steel, preferring bismuth and ITX instead, so I can’t vouch for the latest type of steel in a Polychoke.

B.

Joined: 21 Jan 2018 Posts: 18 Location: Kansas

My question in this case is should modern steel loads be shot through an old M12 or Ithaca 37 barrel?

Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 2126 Location: Hudson,Wy

I've shot steel through a Mod 12 with Modified choke. No safety issues are to be expected. Do it enough and there could be minor cosmetic marks inside. That's about it.

Joined: 21 Jan 2018 Posts: 18 Location: Kansas

Joined: 13 Apr 2017 Posts: 150

I read on this forum that Ithaca said steel shot was safe in open bored roto-forged barrels. This was a long while ago.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 691

I own both (post-war and Roto-Forged). The roto-forged barrels are thicker than the earlier barrels. On the earlier barrels, you could probably get away with it using the more open chokes. Same with the roto-forged barrels. Neither are hardened steel and if you try and shove steel through a full choke barrel that was built for lead, well, eventually you are going to have a not so desirable result. What will the result be ? Who can say until it happens. Maybe the end of the barrel ends up looking (to a degree) like a funnel, or just opened up.

I know when I had some rust spots laser welded up, I told the guy to just use mild steel and it blended in perfectly. If it wasn't just mild steel, I would have ended up with a bluing mismatch.

Now I do have steel rated extended chokes for my Roto-forged barrels that came with tubes. I would not hesitate one bit to use them.

As an example .... shot #4 steel out of a 2nd yr 20ga M12 , full choke , NOTHING . Friend shot 2 #4 steel thru his 12ga M25 and it cutely ringed at the choke . Mod seems to be the safety cut off for old M12's , and it seems to me when I inquired back then it was a cut off (mod)for both Poly's and choke tubes . (asked both Ruger and Briley about my Red Label and that was the reply - mod or less .) I own the M25 now and no worries whatsoever . Wished we'da patterned the gun then and now just to see if a difference - maybe tighter !

I shoot steel out of my 1913 made Winchester Model 1912 in 20 gauge. It has a poly choke and I set it at IC and it is a wonderful gun

Shocked

Mike

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1310 Location: Western WA

Somewhat contrary to my previous remarks above, concerns about steel through ported barrels have been raised concerning potential damage to the ports if steel pellets penetrate through the wad. Similarly, some Polychokes have a ventilated section, and in theory the possibility exists that a steel pellet might break through the wad and damage the slots. However I have no direct knowledge of such a case.

B.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 691

The inside diameter of the vented Poly Choke is much greater than the choke portion or the bore. There is no chance and steel shot could come into contact with the vented sleeve.

Darryl