At worst, 1018 mild steel, at best 1026. Using a piece of DOM, it's all I have access to, and all I can afford. I understand how my initial statements could have been cause for concern, I wrote that up in a hurry. As far as recoil is concerned, well, I'm willing to see just what's what. A 3.5" Black could from my Mossberg 535 hits with about 64 ft lbs,and only bothers my neck after rapid shooting, I think it'll be fun to take it up a notch.