What exactly would make it steel compatible or not?? Are you saying that the steel in the barrels cannot handle steel shot?? I just dont get this. So many on this board have the standard answer regarding any question about shooting steel shot in any particular gun, and that answer usually is "I would not shoot steel in my ..........(fill in the blank). It seems to me that this is simply the easiest answer to give and is based on perhaps no real evidence. I do know that some of the "old' steel shot was not very waterproof and often turned to solid steel slugs after a while. But newer shells with plastic shot cups, etc, should be safe in any gun that has been properly taken care of and has no existing damage to the barrels, at least any made after WW II. So, hit me with some definitive answers other than what might amount to hearsay.
My advice above was based on the tighter than modified chokes in the Winchester in question. In addition, my concern about older steel shells is the shot collar used. New ones have collars which provide protection to barrels from steel gouging. My concern is also primarily with duck/goose size shot. Smaller shot, say 7 1/2 has less reported tendency to bridge and blow out your choke...Geo
I was responding to BorderBill's post.