I used a case colored lightweight AYA for years with steel shot. I had the shells, so I used them. I never had any sign of bore or choke damage, never did any work to the .045 chokes. I sold the gun a couple of years ago, but I still have the pattern sheets, which are astounding, regardless of the shot size, #2 or BB. I have more than a dozen tens, but this is the one that I liked the most. I never used any other gun for waterfowl for about ten years. My 1 3/4 ounce steel shells cost me about five bucks a box so I didn't see any reason to shoot a twelve.