Shotguns

rodmkr

Temecula California
Thought this was the best place to ask!
I have 2(two) Winchester model 12 shotguns.
As far as I have been able to find out one has never been shot.
Was a gift from a rancher in Colorado to my uncle who was the banker
in Trinidad Colorado. The other was a auction buy from a Navy ship I was on.

Now the question.
I live in Californistan where lead shot is banned.
Do you think it is safe to shoot the steel shot in these shotguns?
Would it be safe to shoot slugs?
Anyone know of a good gunsmith here in SoCal.
An inquiring mind wants to know!!
 

popper

Well-Known Member
Probably NOT. Maybe the Kent coated bismuth? Depends on the choke also. Tight chokes increases the barrel pressure. New replacement steel rated barrel?
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Lead shot is illegal to HUNT WITH, not for trap/skeet/sporting clays shooting. Some ranges may adopt non-toxic shot rules.

I would NEVER run steel shot in any OEM Model 12 shotgun barrel of any gauge or choke. We have some examples, and they get fed chilled shot we reload ONLY. I went to Rem 870 Express shotguns mostly because of steel shot requirements for waterfowling that came on stream in 1980. The Rem Choke feature allows you to tailor your choke to the shot being used.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I will also advise against running steel shot in a Winchester Model 12.
The Winchester Model 12 is a great shotgun - but no pre-1964 Model 12 was made for steel shot.
Steel shot was mandated for waterfowl in the U.S.A. in 1991.
The Winchester Model 12's made after 1964 (mostly by Miroku and labeled Winchester under the U.S. Repeating Arms ownership) may have been rated for steel shot but unless it is specifically marked as safe for steel shot (and I do not know if any were made as such) I would NEVER risk destroying a fine shotgun.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
The tubes are not as hard as the modern barrels. I have my brother's Fox Sterling SXS from the 1930's Just shooting lead / plastic shells in it is useless! They shoot more like a rifle ! Need paper hulls with fiber wads to make the chokes what they are supposed to be!
Also have My Dad's Savage 311 SXS ( I think 1940's) I bought an adjustable Barrel muzzle Reamer & Hone from Brownell's years ago and cut it's full choke to Modified and cut it's modified to Imp Cyl. Now with plastic/lead it shoots like full & modified! Shotguns have changed a bunch!
 

rodmkr

Temecula California
Thanks guys. That is what I thought but wanted someones opinion other
than my own.
CZ, do you know of a decent shotgun gunsmith here in SoCal.
The one I bought at auction needs some work and my gunsmith retired.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
I have 1916 , 1940 , 1957 and 1968 that's actually a 1914 with a new receiver ....
IF yours is a 59-68' and has a cylinder or IMP-CYL barrel and using wads like the CSD series and Mylar wraps with 4,5,6 shot .

I think as far as nontoxic shot goes in useful fowl sizes you're looking at bismuth and poly tungsten shot , both run around $2 a shot .

With all of that I don't believe even if I had open chokes I would shoot steel in any of them . The nickle steel if the post 1935(ish) barrels as a cylinder bore should be fine but they are still thin wall vintage collectables . Especially your unfired specimen .

My 57' isn't of any value and has a stuck wad ring about the front of the magazine barrel band . I've considered chopping it ..... On the other hand I have a NOS barrel for it with the 80s barrel stamp on it .....the gun was Parkerized black too ....
 
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Ian

Notorious member
One does not simply "Change the barrel" on a Model 12. I still have nightmares about the one time I thought it would be cool to swap out for that extra Poly-Choke barrel and set up the headspace. Thank GAWD I had the book.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Thanks guys. That is what I thought but wanted someones opinion other
than my own.
CZ, do you know of a decent shotgun gunsmith here in SoCal.
The one I bought at auction needs some work and my gunsmith retired.
Shotguns needing attention in our family usually land at my house. I don't know of a shotgun-specific gunsmith in this part of the state any more, but inquiries at a local trap range might turn up some leads. Check your messages.
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Google RST shells for nontoxic stuff for vintage guns. Also light loads for vintage guns. Includes 16 ga 2 1/2" shells for the much older guns that are chambered for 2 9/16"
 
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