1960 Remington 870 Wingmaster 20 Gauge

[jbo89]

I recently bought a beautiful 1960 20 gauge wingmaster and was planning on taking it to the ranch to shoot skeet tomorrow. I know these old barrels are not supposed to be shot with steel but what would the best shell be for skeet shooting without damaging the barrel?

[Synchronizor]

All 870 barrels are very well-built. They had good metallurgy back when the 870 was introduced; what you're talking about is more of a concern for older shotguns from the late 1800s or early 1900s, or more lightly- or cheaply-made guns. An 870 barrel from the 1960s will have a fixed choke, but as long as it's not too tight, you can shoot steel without causing excessive wear & tear. It will be harder on the barrel than lead, and will cause the normal amount of increased wear you'd expect shooting steel, but it won't blow up the gun or bulge the barrel (again, as long as it's an appropriate choke).

That said, unless it's a strict requirement in your area, there's no reason to be shooting steel for skeet. 2.75" (don't shoot 3" shells unless your barrel is marked as having a 3" chamber) lead target loads will be cheaper, easier on the gun, and more effective on the targets. No lead birdshot shell that conforms to standard pressure specs will hurt your gun (and even then, an 870 would probably take it). Look for #8 or #9 shot for skeet; targets are close in that game, and you want as many pellets in the air as you can get.