[Theodore LeDurt]

Sorry for getting to the "dance" late.

First off, I have shot well over a 1000 rounds of 3" steel (2#,3#,4#) shot out of an Auto 5 Belgium gun with modified choke with no problems. Also I have fired 100's of steel rounds from a 10ga Berreta Siverhawk. 12ga Grulla, and a 12ga James.

After hours of conversation with Tom Armbrust and Worth Mathewson, all my chokes were opened to .017 left and .009 right barrel. Twelve gauge loads were kept under 1400fps, only 1 1/8oz, #2 shot or larger, in 2 3/4", except the 1oz load of #3 Black Cloud, which I believe to be 1500 fps. I realize this is antidotal, but there was no barrel damage from any of my guns. This conversation is only referencing steel barrels, not damascus.

I have never shot steel from my Parker as I want to retain the full and full in the 32" barrels (Buckingham wannabe) and am now loading ITX for this gun, but would not hesitate to shoot steel if the chokes were opened.