Steel a march

How is the lead ammunition ban affecting the second-hand market? Is there any point in buying an old gun that can only handle standard steel if the chokes are bored out?

Robert says: With the exception of the top-end and more unusual collector’s pieces the price trend is generally down, with boxlock sideby-sides being the worst affected. Some say old guns will be rendered useless. While manufacturers would love us all to buy new shotguns with ‘high-performance steel’ (HP steel) proof, providing the right cartridge is used there is no reason to stop using any currently in-proof shotgun. The simple rule is use HP Steel cartridges (a specific type) in guns proved for it. All other guns can use ordinary steel of the designated chamber length. Chokes should be half or less. Though ranges are reduced with steel, an ordinary steel cartridge is more than capable of bringing down pheasants at 25 yards (the height of a mature oak tree). If you want to shoot crossing pigeons at 40 yards you will need the high-performance gun and cartridge combination, but the whole joy of owning these older, often handmade, guns is the fact that you don’t take them out every day. As a footnote, the Americans have woken up to the fact that our fine guns have never been so affordable, and there is a constant stream of good guns going abroad. Buy yourself a slice of British history and enjoy it before they are all gone.