I recently was handed down a Browning A5, 12ga magnum. It's made in Belgium and my grandpa thinks he purchased it new in the late 1950's, or very early 1960's. It has full stamped on the barrel, which leads me to believe it is full choke. I have been told to be careful shooting steel shot out of it. It has probably seen around 1000 rounds of steel BB's and 2's go through it since the switch from lead to steel shot was required. I have also read in a published book that steel shot damaging full chokes is a myth. Anyone know the full truth about this?



Cheers CM

I picked up a 3" mag auto 5 a couple yrs ago that had busted stocks.... after looking closer at the barrel, you could see a bulge right about where the choke started.... when I talked with brileys about opening up chokes, they told me not to use steel in a full choked gun...

Steel shot had not been thought of when your Browning was made. Short answer,,,,,, don't shoot steel in it unless you're willing to eventually trash it! I've seen a couple that were absolutely 'junked' from shooting steel in them. I'd check Brownings' web site and ask them if you have doubts/questions about the suitability of steel in a specific shotgun.

I believe whats been written above to be true. Additionally, you'll find your shotgun patterns better, therefore you'll shoot better with a different choke, whether it be removable chokes or opening up the fixed choke barrel you have to something less constricted.

I used to use A-5'S and when I used to look around for A-5 accessories I was impressed with the large selection of barrels and chokes.

That A-5 is a hell of a good waterfowl gun.

Here is what Browning has to say.

http://www.browning.com/custom...na/detail.asp?id=128

Question:
Can I shoot steel shot in my Browning shotgun?

Answer:


READ THE ENTIRE ANSWER BELOW BEFORE USING STEEL SHOT IN ANY FIREARM

All current Browning shotguns with the Invector or Invector-Plus choke tube system are fully steel shot compatible with current factory loads. However, there are limitations to the compatibility of many older Browning shotguns with conventionally choked barrels. In certain models, shooting steel shot may cause a slight "ring bulge" just inches behind the muzzle or irreversible damage or harm to the shooter depending on the firearm. Accordingly, our recommendations concerning the use of steel shot in Browning shotguns is as follows:

1. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS:

All Browning shotguns with the Invector choke or Invector-Plus tube systems, However, we do not recommend the use of Invector full or extra full chokes with steel shot. They pattern too tightly, and sometimes result in a "blown" pattern.

2. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS EXCEPT THOSE WITH T, F, BB AND BBB SIZE SHOT:

The B-2000 and B-80 shotguns with conventional chokes (Non-Invector)


3. DO NO USE ANY STEEL SHOT LOADS:

The Belgian-made A-5, Superposed, Leige, and other Belgian Over/Under models, Double Automatic, American-made A-5 and all other models not listed in category 1 or 2. Note: Belgian Auto-5 barrels are interchangeable with the new Invector barrels which are made in Japan. With this new Invector barrel installed on the Belgian-made Auto-5 receiver, steel shot loads can be used. (Shown below, Begian Superposed Over and Under.)



Belgian-Made Superposed.



YEAR OF PRODUCTION: Nearly all Browning firearms manufactured after 1975 have two letters in the serial number. The two letters indicate the year of manufacture: M=0, Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9.



FUTURE: Obviously, we have no control over the ammunition companies and the loads they will produce in the future. So, if in doubt, please check with us or the ammunition company before using new loads in your shotgun.


I found that steel would pattern better with a more open choke.

Thanks for the replies looks like a hastings barrel or a safe queen.

Shotguns are not steel proofed in reality they are pressure tested in different levels the higher presure level what is refered to as steelproof was started to used about 1910-15.
If you opens it up to 1/4 or 1/2 you would be safe for steel.

Bismuth shot (Bismuth/Tin) is almost as soft as lead and will not damage the barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by Canadian Mulie:
Thanks for the replies looks like a hastings barrel or a safe queen.

Yes, if its a safe queen. I have shot a beater Remington 11 (same gun) with steel a lot. It opens the choke and causes a slightly visible ring as described above. But it stops after however many rounds and stabilizes. The real fright is doubles and over/under guns with soldered ribs.

I started using Bismuth shot when I got my wife a German Drilling.

It kills a lot better than steel shot IMHO.

I use it in all my shotguns now.

Hardness:

So now I'm back to square one. Is all the damage done to the barrel?

Isn't that enough?

quote:

Originally posted by Canadian Mulie:
So now I'm back to square one. Is all the damage done to the barrel?

Don't know what you mean by the barrel is stamped "full"
Browning doesn't stamp their barrels full. Full choke
is stamped with a single star. Plenty of barrels out their.
Just buy one and blast away for the next hundred years.