Well that depends on your gun. On the side of your barrel it should tell you wether or not you can shoot steel. Is it a "Permenant" Choke? A full barrel? I started out hunting with an 870. It had a 18" barrel and a full "choke" I shot a ton of steel through that gun. And it was perfectly safe too. OnceI learned How to shoot. Man I put the hurt on waterfowl. That choke was devestating! If you can I would reccomend switching to a modified choke. It generally is a better all around choke. Good luck!