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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ Modern 16 sxs with steel proof barrels |
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Posted:
Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:34 pm
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Joined: 08 Feb 2009
Posts: 1387
Location: Western WA
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What does it mean to have a “steel proof” barrel? Has a special proof load with steel shot been fired through the barrel? Or merely that the barrel (and chokes?) are designed and/or guaranteed to accommodate steel shot? All of my newer guns have come with some version of the latter with exclusions for certain chokes.
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Posted:
Wed Sep 06, 2023 6:17 am
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Member

Joined: 27 Jun 2012
Posts: 1142
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I checked the flats on both the Upland Gun Company RFM and my Fausti DEA 16 ga's and no fleur-de-lis marks on them. My TriStar Bristol 16 ga has a statement in the manual stating the bores are chrome lined and safe for steel, but couldn't find any specific statement one way or the other in the Fausti or the RFM manuals, just generic info about appropriate ammo meeting CIP standards. |
_________________ An elderly gentleman, his faithful dogs, and a 16 ga SXS. All is right with the world. |
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Posted:
Wed Sep 06, 2023 8:45 am
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Joined: 10 Dec 2022
Posts: 6
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I reached out to FAIR and only the 12g and 20g is steel proofed. All barrels from the 12 to the 410 is built with the same metals but only the 12 and 20 has been tested for steel. This had me wonder does bismuth and tungsten require a steel proofed barrel? I don't mind paying the extra cost for these shells. |
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Posted:
Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:49 am
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Member

Joined: 24 Jan 2007
Posts: 468
Location: SC PA
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Arrow2013 wrote: |
This had me wonder does bismuth and tungsten require a steel proofed barrel? I don't mind paying the extra cost for these shells.
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Bismuth, no. Tungsten, depends. "Softer" tungsten composites like Kent TM and Nice Shot, no. TSS, Federal Heavyweight and the like, yes. |
_________________ "A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man" - Vito Corleone
''Common Sense isn't common" -Lefty Kreh |
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Posted:
Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:59 am
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Joined: 10 Dec 2022
Posts: 6
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Thanks for the info. I was planning to shoot Boss shells so a non-steel proofed barrel should work perfectly. I do wish I can have the option with steell but maybe in a few more years and have modern guns catch up lol |
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Posted:
Tue Sep 12, 2023 8:57 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2908
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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arrow2013,
The wording in the Tristar instructions for my new 16 Gauge Bristol Silver says their guns are steel compatible. It says nothing about proof testing.
all the best,
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:52 am
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Joined: 10 Dec 2022
Posts: 6
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Thanks Dave. I decided to reach out to FAIR and they mentioned it is possible to place a order for a 16g and have it steel proofed. Depending on the price this might be the route I go. |
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Posted:
Mon Sep 18, 2023 11:04 am
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Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2908
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa
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Arrow2013,
I understand your thinking, however it maybe over kill. Remember the Classic American guns were only tested by the company manufacturing the guns, not really proof tested by any testing house. With the new metals and the engineering of the metallurgy today your proof testing for metal maybe just added cost for a gun engineered to be more than strong enough to shoot steel shot with todays shells.
Now if you are going outside the normal specifications for modern shells, then you might have a point about proof testing a modern gun. Also remember Bismuth is softer shot and we use it already in our Classic guns, with absolutely no problems
all the best,
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man |
_________________ "L.C. Smith America's Best" - John Houchins
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:17 pm
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Joined: 31 Oct 2024
Posts: 4
Location: Rockford, IL
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Riflemeister wrote: |
I checked the flats on both the Upland Gun Company RFM and my Fausti DEA 16 ga's and no fleur-de-lis marks on them. My TriStar Bristol 16 ga has a statement in the manual stating the bores are chrome lined and safe for steel, but couldn't find any specific statement one way or the other in the Fausti or the RFM manuals, just generic info about appropriate ammo meeting CIP standards.
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Just looked at my RFM and found the CIP markings on the barrel flats. Mine are jewelled and had to zoom in with light. There is like box with CIP initials and there is a fleur de lis symbol bellow the initials. I bought a used RFM Mythos 28’” 16/20 ga set made at the end of 2021. Both 16/20 ga barrels show the stamp of CIP and fleur de lis. My understanding is that ,in my case , both barrel sets are steel proofed. I was waiting for approval to post on the site and apologize for posting on an old tread. |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:29 pm
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Joined: 31 Oct 2024
Posts: 4
Location: Rockford, IL
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Riflemeister wrote: |
I checked the flats on both the Upland Gun Company RFM and my Fausti DEA 16 ga's and no fleur-de-lis marks on them. My TriStar Bristol 16 ga has a statement in the manual stating the bores are chrome lined and safe for steel, but couldn't find any specific statement one way or the other in the Fausti or the RFM manuals, just generic info about appropriate ammo meeting CIP standards.
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Just looked at my RFM and found the CIP markings on the barrel flats. Mine are jewelled and had to zoom in with light. There is like box with CIP initials and there is a fleur de lis symbol bellow the initials. I bought a used RFM Mythos 28’” 16/20 ga set made at the end of 2021. Both 16/20 ga barrels show the stamp of CIP and fleur de lis. My understanding is that ,in my case , both barrel sets are steel proofed. I was waiting for approval to post on the site and apologize for posting on an old tread. |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:34 pm
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Joined: 04 Mar 2019
Posts: 1991
Location: Central ND
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'Proof' (not sure the word proof is appropriate) tests for steel involve the choke area. It isn't a test of chamber pressure. You really have to look into what these companies are talking about when they say steel proofed barrels.
There is an entire section in the SAAMI Standards (PROCEDURE: DYNAMIC CHOKE STRAIN MEASUREMENT) about the purpose, equipment procedures etc. The section starts on page 68 of the SAAMI Z299.2 - 2019 Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Shotshell Ammunition for the Use of Commercial Manufacturers. |
_________________ Mark...You are entitled to your own opinion. You aren't entitled to your own facts. |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 31, 2024 7:47 pm
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Joined: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 42
Location: Washington
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As was written, a more open choke (mod at the tightest) and the proper wad to keep it from scoring the barrel was my understanding to be able to use steel.
Any regulated barrels can separate if the barrels start to get hammered out at the choke area by steel shot.
I have purchased two different Beretta SXS's, one 20 and one 12, that were cracked, for cheap and had them redone. It was pricey. |
_________________ Was GWP that joined 2008 but had to re-join. |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 31, 2024 7:59 pm
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Joined: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 42
Location: Washington
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Swampy16 wrote: |
Pine Creek/Dave wrote: |
Swampy16,
I have to admit the FAIR Side is a real nice modern gun, however I am like Americanmeet when it come to Classic American made double guns, they really make my bird hunting very enjoyable. My Parker guns are all gone now, traded on Graded L.C. Smith guns. I have been eyeing a couple Parker 16 gauge guns, to have a couple back in my Grouse gun collection. Have also been looking at a Bristol Silver 16 for shooting steel shot. The Bismuth for my Classic guns has definitely gotten expensive, although I am not using more than a Box or so each season for Woodies. I do definitely need a 16 gauge modern gun for steel shot, don't have one right now, been using my modern 28 gauge L.C. Smith made by Zabala most of the time for shooting steel shot. Would like a 16 gauge gun that handles steel shot also.
all the best,
Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man
The modern L.C. Smith 28 gauge that I use steel shot in, when needed.
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Well I agree Dave but the op is looking for a modern gun he can use for steel shot. I myself am not a fan of most of the Turkish offerings. The Dickinson’s are a very nice gun but I had two of them and had nothing but problems. I’ve been through the list of most sxs manufacturers and I must say the FAIR Iside cannot be beat in its price range. To get a new gun of higher quality one needs to spend thousands of dollars more.
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May I ask what issues you had with your Dickinsons? Single trigger or double?
I have a double trigger 16 and it has been a good shooter. |
_________________ Was GWP that joined 2008 but had to re-join. |
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Posted:
Mon Jan 13, 2025 9:32 am
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Member

Joined: 03 Aug 2009
Posts: 205
Location: Northern California
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John Singer wrote: |
Are Upland Gun Company guns steel proofed?
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Yes they are. If you order fixed chokes, stay away from full and Improved Modified as they will not be proofed for steel shot. Great guns. I have two of them. |
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Posted:
Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:18 am
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Member

Joined: 06 Aug 2004
Posts: 2196
Location: Kansas High Plains
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There's a beautiful CSMC Fox approved for steel shot for sale on the Parker site if you have a spare 20 grand lying around. |
_________________ I feel a warm spot in my heart when I meet a man whiling away an afternoon...and stopping to chat with him, hear the sleek lines of his double gun whisper "Sixteen." - Gene Hill, Shotgunner's Notebook |
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