I started bird hunting in the 60s. As such I have and have inherited some nice old guns. Win Model 12 and Remington 11. Both are about a century old. My ideal is to use the 12 for upland birds and the 11 for turkey. It has already taken 2. Question on them is can I use nontoxic loads, especially some of the newer extra hard/hevi?

Just to reduce my use of exposure to lead, plus getting some of the newer shells, I am looking at the alternatives but don't want to ruin the guns.

I guess another question is are you aware of replacement barrels that would be steel-friendly?

Thanks.

Bismuth young man, it will serve you well in either gun. My wife and I have been shooting it in various flavors for nearly 20 seasons.

Boss Shotshells will deliver to your door .

Although, I’ve been experimenting with TSS shotshells in my 410 and 28 gages for some serious Upland Hunting, and jump shooting ducks In the last few seasons , and it does really well with the right chokes but for the most part , we hunt with Bismuth exclusively ...

Add.

What chokes are your older guns. You might stay away from the hot loaded tungsten shot if choked full .

Add 2.

Briley may offer screw in chokes for either gun barrel, although it may affect the values of both guns.

The 12 has a Weaver choke with various tubes. I think it currently has the modified but I have a full tube. The 11 is a simple full.

Thanks for the bismuth idea; I'll look into it.

Gotta love those ole long action Model 11s. Fun to shoot when set up right and oiled smooth. After a bit of shooting a well taken care of 11, one forgets that the barrel is actually moving back and forth with the gun’s recoil. Like the old Browning humpbacks, and Franchi’s AL-48.

All fun stuff for sure.

It was while cleaning it that I finally realized the barrel moves. Both shots at turkeys have been stunning. It patterned best on #5 lead so that was why I went with it. Was my Great Uncle's gun and I think he mostly hunted pheasant with it. It was designed by John Browning, so I guess that's why it looks so much like the humpback.

At one time I saw a 3" barrel offered for sale and have wondered if that would work on mine, which is 2 3/4. Getting harder to find shells of that size.