When using steel Birdshot ?

[Gmcrigger2007]

Has anybody tried using steel Bird shot with their M4 shotgun ? What kind of choke would be needed? Someone gave me some #7 steel shot instead of lead shot shells .

[Steve Rose]

Conventional thinking has always been (1) Back off one choke constriction with steel to achieve patterns similar to lead. In other words steel shot through a Improved Cylinder constriction will pattern like lead shot through a Modified choke and (2) Do not shoot steel through a Full or tighter choke constriction. The steel shot column is less fluid therefore it will not compress as easily in a tight choke resulting in erratic patterns and possible choke tube/barrel damage.

Edited May 28, 2022 by Steve Rose

[Gmcrigger2007]

7 hours ago, Steve Rose said:

Conventional thinking has always been (1) Back off one choke constriction with steel to achieve patterns similar to lead. In other words steel shot through a Improved Cylinder constriction will pattern like lead shot through a Modified choke and (2) Do not shoot steel through a Full or tighter choke constriction. The steel shot column is less fluid therefore it will not compress as easily in a tight choke resulting in erratic patterns and possible choke tube/barrel damage.

Thank you Steve for responding to my question. I did a little research before reading your response and other sources said the same thing. I was more curious about shooting steel shot through any shotgun & the Benelli M4. A friend of mine ended up getting me 3 boxes of Winchester #7 steel shot and not realizing that it wasn't lead shot. I ended up giving it back to him since he says he can use it. I rather just stay away from steel  shot even though I changed out my M4  choke from a modified to an improved cylinder choke. My other shotguns that i use for trap the chokes can't be changed out so I don't want to have steel shot around.

Bernie

[Steve Rose]

As you've probably found in your research steel shot is a poor substitute for lead shot that only came about due to concerns and regulations with lead in the environment (ie, it started with waterfowl hunting). Steel is the less expense substitute for when lead shot is not allowed, but pales in performance compared to the other “non toxic” types of shot we now have available on the market.