|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Double Trouble
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Posts: 11,705
|
Steel shot in my old Ithaca?
I know you guys know me as a shotgun guy, but I was invited to a duck hunt next week and I would like to take my old (1938) Ithaca model 37 to the hunt. My doubles are too nice to take to the marsh , so it is my gun of choice. Question is...can I use steel shot in a gun that old. I have restored it and it is in 100% condition but can it handle it?
|
||
11-10-2008, 06:15 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Higgs Field
Posts: 22,654
|
If you are thinking of duck hunting with it, I'll go out on a limb and assume it's a full choked gun. In that case, it is likely it will not even pattern steel very well. Coupled with doubts about the barrel steel's suitability with steel, I wouldn't do it. Why not one of the other non-toxic alternatives? As far as I know, they are all just fine in the older guns. Maybe some one who knows for sure can chime in. I do believe they are softer than steel, and not nearly as hard on barrels.
__________________
Jeff '72 911T 3.0 MFI '93 Ducati 900 Super Sport "God invented whiskey so the Irish wouldn't rule the world" |
||
|
11-10-2008, 06:21 PM
|
|
|
Double Trouble
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Posts: 11,705
|
So you are saying bismuth? yes full choke 12 ga.
|
||
|
11-10-2008, 06:32 PM
|
|
|
Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
|
You can pick up a brand new 870 for around $200 that will handle steel shot fine. (After you get some steel choke tubes.)
I'd do that or go to something like bismuth or hevishot. (Or seasonshot.  http://www.seasonshot.com/)Either way, I wouldn't shoot steel shot in an old Ithaca.
__________________
Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
||
|
11-10-2008, 07:22 PM
|
|
|
Double Trouble
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Posts: 11,705
|
I have read that hevishot is also hard on old steel. I'm thinking bismuth or tungsten is the way to go ....but wow $$$$$ per shot! But hell it's not like I go bust ducks all the time.
A NEW gun?? Hmmmmm. Can't say I have one of those. Everything I have is used. Even my wife was married before~! |
||
|
11-10-2008, 07:35 PM
|
|
|
Registered Abuser
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Southwest Montana
Posts: 2,738
|
Quote:
I have seen steel spaul the barrels of older shotguns. You may want something softer shooting. Gas operated auto or a pump gun. Not to mention the duck blind conditions are harsh for a nice old gun like that. My duck gun is not the most flawless gun I have.
__________________
MT 930 1987 930 - Gone but not forgotten A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile. I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth - Steve McQueen американский |
||
|
11-10-2008, 07:36 PM
|
|
|
|
Double Trouble
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Posts: 11,705
|
The 37 is a pump. And like you said not a queen by any means. I restored it mechanically but I have yet to get to the cosmetics. I restore old guns, so if it gets funky it'll give me incentive to finish it. I'm more concerned with ruining the barrel than anything. I'm thinking bismuth or tungsten matrix. At $3.00 a shot they better taste good!
|
||
|
11-10-2008, 08:13 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Higgs Field
Posts: 22,654
|
Even at three bucks a pop, your shells are going to be the cheapest part of your hunt. It would be worth that (to me) to hear an old girl like your Ithaca speak once again. I just think it would be cool to tote something like that into the blind, and unlimber it in front of all the "kids". But that's just me...
__________________
Jeff '72 911T 3.0 MFI '93 Ducati 900 Super Sport "God invented whiskey so the Irish wouldn't rule the world" |
||
|
11-10-2008, 08:20 PM
|
|
|
....
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,586
|
Quote:
__________________
dolor et pavor Copyright |
||
|
11-10-2008, 10:05 PM
|
|
|
Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,206
|
Quote:
For that kind of money a super model better pull each shell outta her delta regions and hand it to you on a silver platter. That actually pisses me off....wtf? Do they have fine german craftsmen preparing each round? More like some machines spitting them out by the thousands... 
__________________
2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor. 2012 Harley Davidson Road King 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100. 2014 Cayman S, PDK. Mercedes E350 family truckster. |
||
|
11-10-2008, 10:10 PM
|
|
|
Double Trouble
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Posts: 11,705
|
Quote:
|
||
|
11-11-2008, 04:14 AM
|
|
