Non-Toxic Shot

bullskin

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OK, the subject title gives away the fact that I am another Californian under the gun to find a solution to my state's ban on lead shot. To anyone else who has considered this, what are my best options for quail, grouse and chukar-sized upland game that is soft enough that I may shoot it through a 1937 model 12 without damaging the barrel? Thanks for the advice.
 
I have shot none toxic shot for 20 years and have not seen damage to the barrels,the shot cup goes to the top of the shell. I have not used shot smaller than 4s yet. I have also shot barnes copper bullets for maybe 10 years, I have not noticed any thing different at this time.
 
Hello wildfin,
You do not mention what brand shotguns you shoot. I will assume that they are newer shotguns that were designed to withstand the effects of shooting steel shot. You also do not mention if you are shooting steel, tungsten, or bismuth shot.
I will guarantee you that if you shoot steel shot in an older shotgun, that was never intended to shoot anything but lead, it will damage the barrel.
Not long after the feds introduced the "Non Toxic Shot" restrictions for waterfowl hunting, a friend of mine blew the winchoke completely out of his Winchester 1300 pump gun. Because steel is much harder than lead, it does not compress when it encounters the choke at the end of the barrel. It ends up creating a bulge right in front of the choke (or blowing the choke clean off!) and ruining what is often a very valuable firearm.

Many years ago, I asked a wildlife biologist if he had ever actually seen a duck or goose that had died from ingesting lead shot while feeding. He admitted that he hadn't, but he assured me that the "threat" was legitimate. I then asked him how many birds he had found that were crippled by the much less efficient steel shot, and later died without being recovered. He didn't have an answer!

I will not shoot steel shot through any of my guns because of the unacceptable level of cripples it causes, and I refuse to ruin a fine old Browning just to be politically correct.

Elkchaser

Elkchaser
 
That's correct, I wouldn't shoot steel in an older gun either and you should never shoot it in anything more than a modified choke in any gun. it flat out sucks in all aspects.

If you're going to shoot steel get a gun with screw in chokes and learn to shoot it. your range will be shorter and leads will be all different , again it sucks.

The other non toxic shots will work in your gun but they're spendy , I'm not sure if they make it in #6 shot? they don't sell it around here but we don't need it since lead is legal.














Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
I've read that bismuth is making a come back but haven't used it for quite awhile myself. Years ago I bought 3 cases of bismuth #6 at a close out sale from a local dealer. I may never use it.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/gun-nuts/2013/10/non-toxic-shot-bismuth-back

They have made improvements over the years in steel shot shells and especially chokes. You have to experiment with your gun to find the optimal combination but worth it if you want to stay in the game. It still turns my stomach though.

Eel

Guns are like parachutes. If you need one and don't have one you probably will never need one again.
 
Eel is right. Steel has come a long ways. With steel speed kills. I don't shoot anything under 1500fps.
 

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