Steel shot?

[William]

I've only been able to get #2 steel shot for my 20 gauge trade gun so I'm wondering if it's
safe to shoot in a modern steel muzzle loader barrel? If so, has anyone tried it?

[Patocazador]

I use plastic shot wads in my CVA and Navy Arms SxS 12 ga. guns when using steel shot. After a while the bore will be contaminated with some of the melted plastic but it cleans out with a bronze brush and a suitable solvent.

[Hanshi]

I talked with Pedersoli years ago, and they said if the barrels were chrome lined then steel shot is safe.  Otherwise, uh,uh.  Those plastic sleeves should work.

[William]

I learned long ago that plastic and muzzleloaders are incompatible. I will never again spend hours hammering that plastic tar out of the bore of my muzzleloader.
Having said that, are there paper or cardboard shot cups? Since it's lighter, is using steel shot going to limit the effective range substantially?

[markinmi]

Maybe lubing the cup would cut down on melting, or at least keep the crap from sticking. I would love to hunt fowl, but I dont want to ruin my barrels, bismuth is much too expencive for me, the number of folks shooting a primitive arm is barley a % of duck and goose hunters ,to me its just silly.

[William]

Maybe lubing the cup would cut down on melting, or at least keep the crap from sticking. I would love to hunt fowl, but I dont want to ruin my barrels, bismuth is much too expensive for me, the number of folks shooting a primitive arm is barley a % of duck and goose hunters ,to me its just silly.

I'm not restricted to using only lead free ammo. I chose #2 steel because it was available to be shipped at the time I was searching for shot online. Since it's more like iron than steel I thought that it might not harm a modern steel barrel. What kind of lube where you thinking of?

[Patocazador]

Did you try this place?  https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Magnum-Chilled-Lead-Shot/products/68/

Or maybe a local skeet range? They usually sell components.