Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

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Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby BuckKlier on Fri Feb 09, 2018 4:16 pm

I have a 16 gauge Model 12 that was my Grand Father's, it down to passed down to my Dad, who passed it down to me, now I'm in my 60's and looking to pass it on. My Question is it has never had steel shot thru it, is it safe to use limited amounts of non magnum steel shot in it? the Barrel is marked Winchester proof steel 2-3/4" Full choke.
Last edited by BuckKlier on Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby fjrdc on Fri Feb 09, 2018 5:08 pm

Lead ONLY!
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby goosed on Fri Feb 09, 2018 6:21 pm

fjrdc wrote:Lead ONLY!


Don't agree...

Old full chokes and steel don't play well. It's true, it's not safe to shoot steel shot in your M12 as it sits. However, there are other non-toxic options that are softer than steel, bismuth as one example, that will work just fine in your M12 without any modification.

As with any older gun that is of unknown working condition, it costs very little to have gunsmith give it a once over compared to an ER visit.
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby crbutler on Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:54 pm

Full choke with steel is asking for problems. Even if it was IC use of steel in a pre steel shot era gun, while not unsafe, will result in barrel damage.

There are options for nontoxics, but steel or iron loads are a no no. Hevishot or other denser than lead tungsten options are even worse.

If you are looking for safe nontox loads for a vintage 16, the only factory option is bismuth. I don’t think tungsten matrix is available in 16. If you handload shotshells you have more options. Bismuth behaves rather like lead, uses the same chokes, etc. so it’s probably the best choice if you want to go that way. Another thing to check is that some of the older 16s are actually chambered in 2 5/8” rather than the common 2 3/4” now standard.
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby Holland&Holland on Sat Feb 10, 2018 12:36 am

Nope, not safe to fire under any circumstances. You will need to donate it to me to be properly disposed of.
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby mmcnx2 on Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:47 am

Not safe, give it the respect it deserves and shoot lead out of it. If conditions require steel use a different gun. Bismuth is an option but be prepared it is not cheap.
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby yukonjasper on Sat Feb 10, 2018 9:30 am

I have a Belgian Browning Light 12 given to me by my father. Same deal,no steel and it hasn't been out of the safew in years. If I did shoot it,it would be lead -don't know much about bismuth other than its expensive.
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby ex-LT on Sat Feb 10, 2018 10:29 am

crbutler wrote:Another thing to check is that some of the older 16s are actually chambered in 2 5/8” rather than the common 2 3/4” now standard.

BuckKlier wrote:the Barrel is marked Winchester proof steel 2-3/4" Full choke.

Given that the barrel is stamped 2 3/4", I think he's OK on the chamber length.
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby goosed on Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:33 pm

BuckKlier wrote: the Barrel is marked Winchester proof steel 2-3/4" Full choke.


What year is this bad boy? Pics?

I have been led to believe that Winchester M12 barrels didn't start carrying the proof mark until 1931...
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Re: Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Heirloom

Postby BuckKlier on Sat Feb 10, 2018 7:12 pm

Thanks guys, it not worth chancing on steel the gun is great shape and I passed it on today.
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