Hypothetical Situation - Winchester 12 Heavy Duck and Steel?

CoryTheCowboy

CoryTheCowboy

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A decrepit duck blind in Atikokan, ON
Hey everyone,

I was reading some older stories about people hunting waterfowl with Winchester Model 12 "Heavy Ducks" and I got to looking and thinking they're a pretty cool gun. The chances of me finding one in my price range are slim to none, so this is all hypothetical.

If I did happen into one, and I either had the choke reamed out or have tubes installed, would there be any problems shooting steel? I know I'm probably opening a can of worms, but thought I'd ask anyways.

Thanks guys,

Cory
 
I know others will diasagree but there is no trouble shooting steel out of a model 12 if it is not full choke. I had 2 different gunsmiths look at my model 12's back in about 2002. Both said there is no problem with the model 12 barrels. Besides, supposedly the steel shot rides in the shot cup and doesn't touch the barrel walls.
As far as price, what do you want to pay for a heavy duck. You may see them listed for between $700.00 and $900.00 but they will never sell. I have seen 3 or 4 sell here on the EE in the past year or so for in the $350.00 range, including mine which was quite nice with the low factory rib instead of plain barrel. Model 12's are not worth as much as some people think they are for the plain hunting guns.
 
gunsaholic said:
I know others will diasagree but there is no trouble shooting steel out of a model 12 if it is not full choke. I had 2 different gunsmiths look at my model 12's back in about 2002. Both said there is no problem with the model 12 barrels. Besides, supposedly the steel shot rides in the shot cup and doesn't touch the barrel walls.
As far as price, what do you want to pay for a heavy duck. You may see them listed for between $700.00 and $900.00 but they will never sell. I have seen 3 or 4 sell here on the EE in the past year or so for in the $350.00 range, including mine which was quite nice with the low factory rib instead of plain barrel. Model 12's are not worth as much as some people think they are for the plain hunting guns.
Click to expand...

Agree unless they are 28ga model 12 hunting guns those are $5000 min;)
 
The Model 12 "Heavy Duck" is gaining in value. Just check prices in the States. Very strong and well made Pump Guns. The vent rib model is a killer Trap Gun.

Please don't modify one of these. Enjoy them for what they are. And they weren't
"all plain". I have seen wood on Heavy Duck Model 12's that would make most high end guns run and hide...

Pick up an 870 for Waterfoul. Their cheap and there's one on every corner.
 
I and both of my sons shoot model 12's for waterfowl. We opened the original full chokes to light modified, then went out an killed a lot of birds with steel shot. If doing it over I might lengthen the forcing cones too, but several thousand shots later none of our guns are showing any ill effects.
 
Besides choke constriction, most of the problems with steel shot in older guns were with the first generation of steel shotshells. Modern plastic shot cups do a much better job of protecting the bore from being scored by the steel pellets.

Unless it is a particularly nice collectable example (which a Heavy Duck might be), go ahead and open up the choke to put one of these nice old guns back into service.
 
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