Steel in an Ithaca 51

I'd leave it unfired and sell it.

I used to hunt with a fellow that had a Ithica 51 given to him for free. It was the worst pc of garbage gun I'd ever seen. Never stopped jamming, no matter what we tried. He finally sold it and bought a 870 Wingmaster and never looked back. I strongly suggest you do the same.

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Just got a never fired model 51. Anybody shooting steel through one.

The Ithaca Model 51 is an older shotgun built before steel shot was used.If it has a full choke barrel ,steel could cause a ring to form at the end of the barrel.I have been told that when this happens in older shotguns it does not cause a danger problem to shoot but it does not look pretty.

I know a few fellows who use steel in their older full choke shotguns,some have developed the ring while others have not.Go figure.
 
The Ithaca Model 51 has a less than stellar reputation. I would not shoot steel shot in same simply because it predates steel shot. I'll bet you a new nickel if you phoned Ithaca (the present incarnation) they would tell you to shoot lead shot only.
 
I used to own one and contacted a well known ithaca smith, I believe the name was les diamond. He told me that my 51 with full choke would shoot steel no prob. But may not pattern to well. I suggest you google les diamond gunsmith, he knows everything there is to know about Ithaca. And the current ithaca does not have info on the featherlite. When the company was sold years ago. The featherlite line was scrapped . I already tried them.
 
I think you are right but I did infact have a semi auto model 51 featherlite, handled 2 3/4 inch shells. A gorgeous gun, never fired it. Got as a hand down and wanted something else.
 
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