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The new AyA shotguns are steel shot proofed as standard
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Be very careful with this. Here is the proof mark for guns that have been proofed for steel shot:
If you dont see that mark on the barrel flats, then the gun is not proofed for steel shot.
True, but have you ever seen a modern Spanish shotgun with reasonably open chokes (modified or less) develop a barrel bulge from shooting steel?
Personally, I haven't, and I've put a fair amount of steel through post-War Spanish guns, none of which were/are proofed for steel.
If I were looking at a new gun, I would want it with a steel proof just because it's an option. But with a used gun I wouldn't necessarily let the lack of a steel proof scare me off.