Steel Shot out of an old Shotgun
 

Forgive me if this is a stupid question. I inherited an old Winchester Model 12 in 16 gauge from one of my grandpas bachelor buddies who passed away. Anyways I don’t know if this this a valid concern or not. Are there any complications that can come from shooting steel shot out of an old shotgun like this.? I don’t know the year of it as I have not searched the serial number. I’m guessing is early 70s

Edit- just searched serial number. Says date of manufacture is 1940.

The only concern with steel shot in that gun would be the choke. It is likely a full choke which you should get bored out to at least modified to safely handle the steel shot. The gun should be stamped on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the receiver with the choke it has

Yep best to keep it for upland only, steel will bugger up the fixed choke in no time...

Jim...

Thanks Hal. I just checked. It does say Full. Due to age and in remembrance of the friend that I got it from I will keep it original. May not shoot it anymore either. What a great excuse to pick up another gun.

I’m sure you can guess who I got the gun from Jim. It’s likely taken more birds than I could ever imagine. It may not have a lot of life left in it anyway. Sure was surprised at its age

Get the forcing gone relived and the choke opened up to IC/Mod and you are good to go, the Old M12’s and Wingmaster barrels have no problem with steel after being modified .:sHa_shakeshout:
Cat

About how much does that cost?

I did this with Grampa's Model 12 in 12 ga. It saw about 10 years of very frequent waterfowling after that. 100's of steel rounds through it. Worked well. Cost me around 100 bucks.......about 20 years ago lol.

Those old model 12s are good for literally tens of thousands of rounds. They were used extensively for Skeet and trap back in the day, no average hunter will ever wear one of them out in 10 lifetimes. To my way of thinking, guns we inherit are best if they keep getting used. Getting the barrel bored out properly, both the forcing cone and the choke, will run about $200 today. You can also have the barrel shortened a bit at the same time if it is the old 30-32" tube as many people prefer 26 or 28" barrels these days.

In my mind a small price to pay to keep an excellent shotgun out hunting instead of hanging on the wall. Sorry for your loss.

Another consideration
 

Is it 2 9/16" chambered or 2 3/4"?
https://www.rustywood.ca/gunsmithing/

I recently got a model 12 about the same age, although I can’t shoot steel out of it, it’s been working beautifully on clays. It’s now my favorite shotgun for shooting clays with.

Model 12 in 16 gauge changed to 2 3/4 inch by 1927

If it was mine I'd leave it as is.
If it were a 12 gauge, I'd consider getting it opened up, but since it's a 16, I would just use it as is for upland birds.

Sorry to highjack the thread, but figured this is already down the same road I want to go down. Any gun smooths to open up full choke shotguns around Edmonton it in Edmonton? I’m looking to have to choked opened up.

Yes also looking to get a few shotguns opened up.... anybody around Edmonton?

What about bismuth type shot? Is it not recommended for full choke either? Can bismuth shot be used in place of steel for waterfowl here in Alberta?

Yes bismuth can be used in a full choke older barrel that is in good condition and yes it is non toxic so legal for waterfowl. Kent also states that their tungsten matrix shot is safe to use in older barrels, even with full choke barrels. I have used both bismuth and tungsten matrix in my older shotguns with full choke. Downside is ammunition is more expensive than steel shot.

covert gun control
 

It's all great until Canada bans lead effectively scrapping hundreds of thousands of shotguns in the name of the environment.Then there's the million .22's left starving. I'd alter whatever can be altered so it can still be used.Or start hoarding ammo and load Bismuth.Years ago a 7lb bottle from SIR was $120

Prices for bismuth shot has gone up considerably. The last quote I have from Bilozir Fine Guns and Reloading Supplies is $220.00 for 7 lbs of #2 bismuth shot.

Willy's markup
 

Thanks for the link. 10# of number 2 shot for sale price of $149.00 US. Way cheaper for sure even with the exchange on the dollar, customs and shipping.

I wonder
 

If you could simply drive across to Washington and pick it up? Or it shot something that endangers Nation Security?