FWIW; I've put about 8 boxes of Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads (1-1/8 oz, 1310 fps) through my 16ga Sterlingworth over the last few hunting seasons with no ill effects. #6 shot in the right barrel and #5 shot in the left barrel.

As long as it doesn't hurt the gun, I appreciate the extra 5 or so yards the extra oomph adds.

BTW, my Sterly was restocked by the previous owner, so no old oil soaked wood here.