Winchester Model 12 and hunting

[hardlyworking]

Good morning and Merry Christmas gang!

If one were to hunt with an a 80+ year old shotgun like the Winchester Model 12 that has a fixed choke built into the barrel, I'm going to assume that Steel Shot is right out and should never be used.

Are there any economical alternatives that won't trash an heirloom barrel?

If there aren't any "economical" ones, what is recommended regardless of cost? Hunting doesn't take too many hulls not like a day on the trap range, so I'm not overly worried. 1 or 2 to pattern the gun and that leaves 23 for the birds/bunnies, but I'm not keen to spend $50 or more on a box.

[edgerly779]

What choke it . If modified mignt be ok contact Bob Day at RD barrels.

[obsidianghost]

Kent Bismuth is what I used back when I hunted with an old gun. Looks like it is still around. They say it is safe for old shotguns and fixed chokes. I never had any issues with it and took plenty of ducks with it.

[JagerDog]

Bismuth would be a good choice. But ya, it's gonna cost ya the $2/round.

Probably a full choke since that was the order of the day. Full choke and steel isn't a very good choice even in modern barrels.

I'm sure many model 12's have been shot with steel, but it's a risk. Less risky if it's a plain barrel (no rib), which all/most were in the day.

[Ducky's Dad]

One of the guys I hunt ducks with uses steel in his Model 12 16ga. Should not be a problem if the gun is in good shape and you are sensible with loads and chokes.