Remington says any barrel made since 1950 with a choke modified or more open is suitable for steel shotshells. The only problem I have ever personally seen has been bulges in the choke area of tightly choked guns and one modified barrel on an old hardware store grade double. As for scratches in the bore, I have seen those but whether it was caused by steel or grit off a nasty shell picked out of the bottom of the blind I don't know, but I saw them before steel shot, too.
If I was shooting a Model 1100 or a Wingmaster I wouldn't sweat anything, because replacement barrels are plentiful if anything did happen. On a 31 I might think twice or three times first. With the availability of Kent Impact, Nice Shot, Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles, etc. why risk it? Yes, they are more expensive. What's the total cost difference for how many shells you intend to shoot? I don't shoot steel anyway, I don't like it at all. When a duck drops I just think that was $4 well spent.
An acquaintance who likes Poly Chokes (retch, heave !) has one on an old Wingmaster. Poly Choke said don't shoot heavy steel through it. He bought a new barrel and got a screw in PolyChoke rated for steel shot to fit the RemChoke threads and has had no problems. Apparently Poly and Remington changed the steel they were using for manufacturing in the 50s. I don't know about the others.
Last edited by Virginian; 10/11/14 07:07 AM.
