I recently got my dad's Winchester model 12 in 16 gauge. Most of the bird hunting I do is in areas that require non toxic shot and I feel better about using it anyway even if it is not required. I have two questions, first is there a non toxic shot soft enough to shoot in an old barrel like this? Second is there a place I can get a new barrel for this old timer that would stand up to steal loads and maybe even accommodate interchangeable chokes?

If your choke is Modified or less constriction steel and Hevi-Shot will work fine. If you have a full choke then Bismuth loads are the way to go. Another option is to have the bore reamed and threaded to accept internal chokes is another option. Probably take a little value off the shotgun to have chokes installed but it would make it a more functional shotgun to shoot all types of shots (lead, steel, Bismuth and Tungsten loads. Good Luck!

Thanks for your response. My understanding was that with older barrels the steel was not strong (Hard?) enough to shoot Steel shot. What I hear you saying is even in an old barrel it would be okay in chokes no tigeter than modified and Bismuth would be okay in an older barrel with a tigeter choke. is that correct?

The idea of having the existing barrel reamed and threaded to accept screw in chokes is a good one. I wanted the other barrel so I could preserve the integrity of the gun. I might end up having the origional barrel shortened and reamed out if I can't find a new one. I want to shoot it, I wouldn't ever sell it.

bismuth or lead only in the original barrel. get another barrel if you must shoot anything else. if the gun has sentimental value, you'll kick yourself forever if you damage the barrel.

I am a Model 12 shooter as well.

NEVER run HeviShot through it. Bismuth or tungsten matrix only.

HeviShot will ruin your barrel.

I don't think a new barrel is going to help at all. There isn't a Model 12 I'm aware of that will stand up to steel shot. Could be wrong, but that's what my looking into this same subject taught me.

I ran into one guy here in town that suggested I don't even run Bismuth through it. He says he used to do warranty work on them. A guy on the gunsmithing forum who also said he did warranty work on them said Bismuth would be okay but re-barreling would be cost prohibative.They also disagreed on what would be required to get the head spaceing right. My reasoning for looking for a source for new barrels is to get one made of material that would stand up to steel shot not to find one off another old gun. To this point I have not been able to find one. If I did I could stick to light steel loads, like 3 dram that would not bang the action around too much. There really are a lot of opnions about this stuff. I think for now I will take the most conservative approach and just shoot it at the range or hunt with lead on private land where there are not likely to be any ducks.

I appriciate everyone's input and I love to hear all your opnions.
D. Nagel