duck loads!

[George Lang]

I know everyone is going to cringe in horror and cry blasphemy but ever since the 1970's when Long Island NY was forced to us steel shot in 12 gauge guns for waterfowl hunting(many years before the national and statewide bans) I used steel shot in all my steel barreled 12's-Parker,Fox & Ithaca doubles. Win model 12's & 97's, Rem mod 31's & Ithaca mod 37's and still do. I measured chokes and still do and have found no differences since the 1970's. Barrels still ring true and bores are bright and shiny. No other problems have been found.Now I don't shoot thousands of round thru each gun but 100 to 200 would be the norm. When I can find non-tox ammo at reasonable prices I will buy it and use it since I have never found a normal steel load that can come close to the performance of lead and some of the non-tox stuff. Now my theory is unless the are truly valuable collectibles they were meant to be shot & not coddled and let the next guy, when I'm gone, make his own decisions and choices. Just my personal observations and choices.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Originally Posted by George Lang

I used steel shot in all my steel barreled 12's-Parker,Fox & Ithaca doubles. Win model 12's & 97's, Rem mod 31's & Ithaca mod 37's and still do. I measured chokes and still do and have found no differences since the 1970's.

Now my theory is unless the are truly valuable collectibles they were meant to be shot & not coddled and let the next guy, when I'm gone, make his own decisions and choices.

George,

I will come out of the gun closet... I, along with another member, shot steel shot Federal ammunition in a #2 frame DH Parker .034" in the left and almost .040 constriction in the tighter barrel. No damage occurred to the barrels. I also shot those same shells in my #2 frame EH 10 gauge using Gauge Mates. Same story, no scoring, no bulges, and not damage to the barrels. Oh, and we both still have 10 fingers each!

I would not however shoot steel or any very heavy loads in my AH 10 gauge. The barrels would take it but a man's got to know his limitations... If you cannot afford to take the risk then don't do it!

Mark

[George Lang]

I agree Mark.