Posted by Jacob Vealetzek on January 25, 2023, 10:08 am
I have an LC smith field grade featherweight SxS 12ga and I and wondering if I am able to shoot standard steel shot loads through it with damaging the barrels?
I recently read articles and watched videos on old English sprinkle guns where they say you can shoot standard steel shot shells through them as long as they are no more than half choke and no bigger that 5 shot. Is that the case with old American double guns I guess is my question.
We have a limited sample of actual Smith barrel composition: 1898 Hunter Arms “Armor Steel” - Non-standard AISI 1045 carbon steel with high phosphorus and sulfur. 1908 Hunter Arms “Armor Steel” - Non-standard AISI 1018 low alloy low carbon steel. 1909 Hunter Arms Acier Cockerill Liegoise “Armor Steel” - AISI 1030 low alloy medium carbon steel. This probably reflects the composition of Smith and most U.S. maker's doubles barrels around WWI and immediately thereafter. BOTTOM LINE: none of these steels are compatible with steel shot.
We do have (expensive) non-toxic and barrel safe Bismuth & Tungsten Matrix loads for game and waterfowl today.