I don't know why you couldn't, except for having to purchase non-toxic shells safe for the barrel.

Almost all M97's were made with full choke. I happen to own a factory "Mod" but it is one of the only I've seen.

But a lot of them are far less than collectible condition, so opening the choke wouldn't hurt value... might even elevate it if you had something like Briley thin wall chokes installed. The stock might crack with high vel. steel loads, or might last forever. But you might do better to run 1200 FPS bismuth through it or handload some ITX.

You'd probably have a great time using one, and if you dropped it in the river or ruined the stock you are only out $500, not a couple $K or more.

Last edited by Grouse Guy; 09/24/16 11:09 PM.