Shotgun Cartridges

L1A1 · 18-01-2008, 11:47 AM

I'm new to shotguns so excuse my lack of knowledge, but I have recently bought a Bettinsoli diamond Line. Does the fact that it is 'steel shot' specification make a difference to the kind of cartridges I can use? I presume if the barrels are capable of taking steel shot then lead should be fine. Any advice welcome.

Graham M · 19-01-2008, 04:26 AM

Yup, no problems.
G.M.

L1A1 · 19-01-2008, 06:08 AM

Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to think due to the lack of responses I'd made a complete a**e of myself..

Graham M · 19-01-2008, 08:54 AM

Unfortunately most of the lads who used to post here have moved on to pastures new. The original owner of the site sold it and things didn’t seem the same somehow.
You will find us here http://www.shootingmatters.com/forum/default.asp
Although having said that, you will also find the resident troll who followed us there.

G.M.

SA80????????

clayman21 · 19-01-2008, 01:13 PM

Because steel shot is harder than lead, it does not deform as it passes down the barrel and through the chokes.

For this reason, additional pressure is brought to bear on the choked sector of the barrels, and most manufacturers will not guarantee their guns if they are used with steel shot and choking greater than 1/2 ( modified).

The proof houses offer the option of Steel Proofing, and if the barrels have been proofed for steel, all choke configurations will be acceptable. ( Note, how-ever, if you replace the chokes with aftermarket ones, they may only be suitable for lead pressures, check with the proofhouse that the barrels would not need re-proofing for steel if the original chokes are not used).

Steel is lighter than lead ( so more pellets in an ounce), and because it does not deform ( lead flattens on the side of the barrel walls, forming oval pellets), the pattern produced with steel has a more even pellet concentration and a more defined edge to the pattern.

If you use steel, use a size heavier than you would with lead - ie a lead 7 you would use a steel 6. This is to compensate for the loss of inertia in the pellet because of steel's lower density.

You are lucky that you have steel as a full option with your gun, the downside is higher cost, but as has already been said, you can use lead without problems as steel proofing is a higher proof than std proofing.

Jerry

VicW · 20-01-2008, 08:44 AM

Steel shot cartridges are,at the moment,noticeably cheaper than lead because of the meteoric rise in the price of lead,for which the Chinese are generally blamed.Steel shot for clay shooting can had for about £110/1000,an equivalent lead price is about£150/1000.Guess who,in the world,are the cheapest suppliers of raw steel?

clayman21 · 20-01-2008, 01:17 PM

I will confess that the last time I bought steel I bought a few thousand, and I'm still using them up, so my pricing info might be out of date, but a Quick check on Just Cartridges pricelists gives their cheapest steel at £157-50 / 1000, while the cheapest lead is £158-00. (These are 32g game loads I would guess Vic's prices were for lighter clay loads??).

Si it seems Vic is right that the price difference has virtually disappeared, and with the price change it seems that there may be even more good reasons including price to opt for steel.

Jerry

L1A1 · 21-01-2008, 07:39 AM

Cheers. Seems I've got a lot of reading to do..