Question for the waterfowl hunters

Hey guys, I have a question that I have yet to get a definite answer for. I have a mossberg 500 12 gauge, and only have a full choke for it. Can I shoot steel shot with a full choke, or should I buy a modified/ improved cylinder? I’m just starting to get into waterfowl hunting and am totally new to the sport. Thanks!!

Your best advice is to contact Mossberg ref this question.

Modified will pattern better. Steel does not compress in a choke like lead will. Steel also retains it's form so it patterns a bit tighter then lead.
Most Steel shot manufacturers suggest not to use a full choke with steel.
Good chance your full choke won't remain as tight if you use it with very much Steel shot. The bigger the bb size the quicker that will happen.
I have an assortment of 500 chokes. I will give them to you if you want them as I no longer have a 500.
Ted

AVE,I have shot steel out of my mossberg 500 with a full choke barrel-since steel was mandated for waterfowl.
Tom

My recommendation would to buy a modified choke, typically steel shot does not pattern well out of a full choke.

You can, will just not pattern as well. Kicks or Carlsen makes some fine chokes for a reasonable price.

Modified or improved cylinder even, I saw a guy blow 2 inches of barrel off a mossberg shootin size T steel through a full choke, remember the the wall of the barrel is thinner where the threads are and steel won't compress like lead

Buy modified and improved cylinder. A few brands of shells and go to a range and see which combo gives you the best pattern at 30 yards.

I remember when steel shot was first mandatory, the rule of thumb was not to shoot anything larger than 2 shot through a full choke. If your hunting ducks that's not a big deal, but if you are hunting geese, cranes, or swans you may want a larger pellet. It's best to pattern your loads to see how they perform. Steel tends to respond to chokes different than lead. I have actually seen full choke patterns more open than modified with steel.

I would start with ICL. Its likely the best option for steel shot even if you get to larger sized pellets like bb, bbb, t. Remember steel is very hard shot so choking too tightly often blows the pattern.

Not to mention your choke!

Do not shoot steel shot in a Full (F) choke. If for no other reason that it generally blows apart the pattern. With steel, Modified (Mod) is like a Full (F) with lead. Improved Cylinder ((IC) is like Modified (Mod) with lead. And Cylinder (Cyl) is like Improved Cylinder (IC) with lead. At least it’s that way with most loads I’ve patterned.