A few friends and I were having a conversation about lead vs steel shot and now I'm wondering which one given the same load would shoot better, and is steel shot harder on a shotgun barrel as opposed to lead shot ?

 

Lead shot definitely shoots better, but it's not legal for waterfowl anywhere and not legal for other game in some states.

 

Steel shot does not pattern as well or do about anything as well as lead, and can KILL a older double gun not designed for it. (barrels can separate from rib)

 

Others besides steel:

10 Rds 12 Ga 2-3/4 Inch 1/8 Oz Tw, Ammo Shotgun, Fiocchi at Sportsman's Guide

Look for "Hevi shot" and bismuth also.

 

I have a older (1970's) Mossberg, would steel shot hurt it's barrel ? I ask because a friend no longer has a 20ga. so he gave me a box of 3" steel shot and I'm just wondering if I really want to shoot a box of them in my gun ? Isn't the wad supposed to protect the barrel from the shot ? It has one of those select a chokes, the screw down style on it.

 

One box isn't going to hurt anything, but don't use a full choke.

But why would you want to shoot steel unless you're hunting waterfowl?

 

It was a free box. He got rid of his 20ga. and was left with one box so he gave it to me. I was just a wondering if it would hurt the barrel, my gun is like new and I plan on keeping it for good so I don't want to risk messing it up.