The problem with a TOTAL lead shot ban would be for those who like to shoot targets with vintage guns. I expect we could all bite the bullet (while hoping it's not steel!) and spend the extra $ for a few boxes of hunting loads.
The CIP (which regulates gun proof, ammo etc in most of the gunmaking countries of the world except ours) does have guidelines for steel shotshells. Standard 12ga steel loads (meant to be shot in 850 bar proof guns) would be limited to nothing larger than American 4 shot. Velocity, measured at 2.5 meters from the muzzle (we measure at 3 feet), no greater than 1300 fps. Standard 20ga steel loads use shot no larger than American 7's, at just a bit slower velocity (1280 fps). There is no guidance on choke constriction for the CIP standard steel loads, probably because the pellets are small enough that even a tight choke is not really a problem. It's not all that easy to compare CIP proof to pre-SAAMI American proof on guns built before the advent of the higher pressure Super X load. But I expect a lot of earlier American guns could probably handle those standard CIP steel loads with no problems.
Agree that an American 12ga made in the 1930's would be OK, from a pressure standpoint, shooting American factory steel. In their information sheet on CIP steel loads, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) states: "These regulations are intended to ensure the safety with steel shot of the most vulnerable guns, namely old, thin-walled, perhaps poor-condition guns." Although our guns, in general, are built stouter than theirs--certainly so if you're talking their light "game guns"--I think I'd still worry about very large steel pellets through a barrel with a very tight choke. I'd probably follow Jerry's example and use one of the other, softer nontox loads through a full choke.
Last edited by L. Brown; 07/05/11 08:50 AM.
