Pro advice stevens 77f

[NaClAddict]

I need help from pros. I recently acquired a stevens 77f with a built in adjustable choke, not removable choke tubes. The original owner believes he purchased it in 1964. I have several questions:

It's only chambered to 2 3/4 inch shells, should I avoid hotter loads?
Is it safe to shoot steel?
If so, should I avoid certain size steel shot?
Should I avoid certain size shot and certain choke settings? I.e. #3 steel shot at full choke?

I already contacted savage and they said they didn't know. I have read some colloquial internet advice but can't find anything for certain, besides for some reason I don't trust random internet info.

Did moonbeam and kali screw me out of being able to hunt with this weapon? Should I just cut off the adjustable choke? I thought it was cool. The action is actually pretty smooth. I know this was a economical model but I like it. It shoulders and points great and is nice and light. Maybe I should just gunbroker it and not worry about damaging this gun or my face? I'd hate to "ring" the barrel because it is still a nice older firearm.

Thanks for your advice guys.

[kcstott]

Do not use steel shot. The barrel was not designed to shoot steel. The forcing cone and choke are not designed for steel and your barrel will pay the price.

Shoot lead or other soft non toxic loads 2 3/4" loads only and you should be able to shoot any lead or other non toxic load in the 2 3/4" size.

I would not remove the choke as it would be far more expensive to have screw in chokes installed or you'd be left with a cylinder choke and thats no good at all.

[NaClAddict]

^Thanks for the help sir! Guess moonbeam F'd me out of hunting with this gun. Seems like some guys are using this shotgun fore pheasant with steel, but I hate to risk it.

So, what would you guys do with this shotgun? Still keeping it as a lead back up while lead is legal. But what then? If I'm going to ditch it sooner is better than later before it gets field worn. Is it worth trying to convert to a youth gun for my kids? The action is still way slicker Thant any mossy 500 or off the shelf 870.

[kcstott]

Well depending on your area, and you need to read up on the regs but we can still use lead for upland down this way.
Bismuth is a good alternative it's just expensive as all hell.

I like having odd ball stuff. But in this case I'd say sell it and get an 870. Parts and stocks barrels are very easy to get to configure the gun any way you like.
By the time you converted this one you could have bought an express.