I'm going to be hunting ducks a little more now that I've gone a couple times and like it. I was wondering if my Remington 870 barrel can take steel shot without having any damage. Thanks in advance.

Should be no issue with an 870 unless it is really old.....I do not know for sure if they even made any that were non-steel shot safe.....just dont shoot steel through anything tighter than a full(i dont recommend anything tighter than a Imp mod. choke) with modified, light mod and Imp cyl. being the best....

I think Carpmaster was on the right track advising you away from using tight chokes with steel shot. The risk is that the barrel will first stretch around the area of the choke as the high confinement of a tight choke creates a drag on the passage of the shot out the end of the barrel (lead shot will deform, reducing this drag effect, steel shot will not deform). Once stretched, the barrel is then weakened at that point and is subject to bulging in response to interior gas pressure. Thus, the common advice is DO NOT USE FULL CHOKE WITH STEEL SHOT.

Call Remington about whether your 870 is steel shot enabled. Have your serial numbers looked up and ready to hand when you call.

If you have a modern 870, with the Rem Choke system, you are good to go. I would shoot IC or nothing tighter than Mod. They do make some full tubes that are steel approved (and so marked), but I personally have not found them to be of much use.

If you have an older 870 that is bored, or has fixed constriction, then I would not shoot steel out of it PERIOD! You will need either Kent TM (which just went away), or Bismuth.

Thanks alot guys. My 870 is newer as I bought it late last winter brand new. I'm using the modified remington choke tube that came with the barrel. Bought some decoys today and will be getting out again soon. Can't wait!

What if it is a fixed full barrel and a wingmaster 870?

Well good luck Troutman. This also begs me asking: is steel ok out of a first edition Winchester 1200 20 Gauge?

That says it all.



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I'm just going to repeat people. You you be fine and don't shoot anything tighter than Mod. To answer for the fixed full, buy a new barrel. They are not much money and it's worth the extra $$$ not to have a gun blow up in your face.