I'd think SKB's, whether of the Ithaca import era or later production, would be OK with steel--but it's always wise to ask the manufacturer. As noted above, since tight chokes can be a problem with steel and since you can get tight patterns with mod anyhow, I'd avoid shooting steel through SKB's choked full. The main problem with the Ithaca-era guns, for steel, is that most of the 12's were 2 3/4", which limits you somewhat when shooting steel. But if you don't need any more than 2 3/4" steel loads, they're likely a good choice.
GG, when Browning says "no steel" in certain guns, they're not talking about reloads. They're talking factory. Note that they don't say "don't use the following lead factory loads". And also note that they don't say "Don't shoot steel in any of our Japanese-made guns." Their warning is very SPECIFIC.
Here's some advice for you: If you want support from knowledgeable shotgunners for your group's suggestion that a total lead ban in the uplands should be explored, then . . . GET YOUR SH*T TOGETHER before you finalize your proposal. When manufacturers like Browning and Parker Repro say "Do not shoot steel!" in guns made into the 70's and 80's, then don't say something like "Steel is safe in all modern shotguns"--that is, unless you think you know more than the manufacturers do! There are a lot of guys out there shooting Superposeds, A-5's, Double Autos etc, handed down to them by a father or grandfather, and they're not going to appreciate you tossing them and their guns on the rubbish heap with inaccurate information. But hey, you're not alone. The wizards on the Nontox Advisory Committee in Minnesota made exactly the same, wrongheaded statement in their paper. Expect people like me to oppose such nonsense--IN PRINT--until you guys are honest about the negatives of going all nontox, as well as the "advantages".
As for the lead shot ban on shooting ranges, I'm not for it either . . . but how can it possibly make sense to ban lead for upland hunting when it's hundreds of times more concentrated around shooting ranges? If there are going to be negative effects anywhere, it will be where the shot fall is more concentrated--which was one of the reasons for banning it for waterfowl, with a whole lot of lead being dumped in relatively concentrated areas around popular duck marshes.
