I would presume that the pre-WWII Model 12 Heavy Ducks through the early 1950s were bored for the 12-gauge 3-inch Magnum 1 5/8 ounce Super-X and Super-Speed loads that were brought out along with the Heavy Duck in 1935. I bought a very late Model 12 HD, in 1974, for duck hunting in Alaska, 1,9xx,xxx serial number range. The shells I had were Western compression formed Super-X, Mark 5, 1 5/8 ounce loads with #4 and #6 shot. I had plenty of time and shot five patterns with each shell and with the #6 my gun averaged 63% and with the #4 just shy of 70%. I've often wondered if these later Model 12 Heavy Ducks were bored for the 1 7/8 ounce 12-gauge 3-inch Magnums brought out in 1954? Since I came back to the lower 48 the next year the Model 12 HD has languished in the back corner of the safe and my old Super-Fox was usually gotten the nod when longer range work might be in order.
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