Iver Johnson Champion 12g, 1940s, what ammo?

[Hbibb1]

I recently picked up an old Iver Johnson Champion in 12g. I've taken it apart and cleaned it/inspected it. It has no cracks in the stock, the bore is as clean as my Benelli Nova that's only fired a few boxes of shells. The finish has some very minor pitting and wear in the color case hardening. And the break action is smooth and locks up crisp. All in all the gun is in amazing condition. The serial number indicates the gun was made in the 40s or 50s, my question is, what ammo is safe to shoot? I only plan on using basic buckshot, birdshot, and slugs. Are these okay in an older gun?

 

[T.R.]

I believe the last year of production was 1972. The company retooled to build parts for military aircraft guns. Iver Johnson is one of the older shotguns that are definitely keepers. I'd shoot any 2 3/4 shell that you choose.

TR

 

[Varminterror]

Most likely, your Champion is a full choke, which limits it away from slugs and buckshot. It should be indicated on the barrel, all of mine have been. This isn't an issue with the shotgun's age, but a common issue for any full choke, fixed choke shotgun - no slugs or buckshot through full chokes.

I only shoot low brass 2 3/4" shells in my Champions to ensure they last as long as they can, but as far as I know, with the exception of the old top snap turn of the century black powder models - which wouldn't have a SN - they're safe for any high brass loads as well.

A Champion in .410, marked "Eric's Gun & Cycle Works," was my first shotgun at 6yrs old; passed down from my granddad to my father to me. I still hunt bunnies with it every fall, and I've started taking my son out with it this year as well.

 

[Rockslam]

You can shoot both lead foster type rifled slugs and buckshot through a full choke. You may notice a poor pattern with the buck shot due to the constriction causing the pellets to deform from being forced against eachother through the smaller opening. You will just have to see how yours does.

 

[loose noose]

I've got an Iver Johnson from the early 1950's and haven't had a problem using the low base or high base loads.

 

[Sunray]

"...limits it away from slugs and buckshot..." Not really. Neither a slug nor any buckshot will bother a full choke. Not using only 2.75" ammo in that shotgun will.
Lotta different Iver Johnson Champions too.

 

[loose noose]

Incidentally I shot my first whitetail deer using a rifled slug back around 1958, note it is a full choke model.

 

[Snyper]

It's not going to be pleasant to shoot with anything other than light loads of birdshot.

Unless you have to use a shotgun for deer, I'd forget the buckshot or slugs in a lightweight break action shotgun.

 

[loose noose]

Note up in N/E Wisconsin during deer season it was mighty cold, therefore you had on a very heavy jacket, that absorbed the recoil of just about any "hi-base" load out there. When I did a restoration on that firearm, I installed a recoil pad, so problem solved, it is a neat little gun with lots of fond memories.