Waterfowl ammo for Win 97
- Thread starter patrickl
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RSVP2RIP
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Original or replica?
chas08
Member
If its an original you will need to stick to the high dollar stuff. Such as Bismuth, Kent Impact, or Hevi-Shot Classic-Doubles. I've shot Bismuth and Kent Impact in my 16 ga model 12. I prefer the Kent. I've never tried the Classic-Doubles. Just be aware that all Hevi-Shot is not created equally. The Classic-Double line is a different recipe for thin walled barrels and tighter choke restrictions. It's also a lower velocity than the other loads. What is the chamber length on the 97? If it's 2 3/4 you're good to go. if it's shorter there aren't any I know of....and welcome to the High Road.
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oneounceload
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What choke is it? If a full, it might not be the best choice.....
MCgunner
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If you do much waterfowlin' and wanna use the gun a lot, be a lot cheaper to get a new shotgun that's steel rated. Bismuth runs close to 3 bucks a shot and Kent Tungsten Matrix is 5 bucks a shot. Way outta MY range. I shoot Winchester Xpert Hi Speed at 34 cents a shot. But, yeah, you CAN use a vintage gun....for a price.
tactikel
Member
Mcgunner- you and I came to the same conclusion, I was looking for Bismuth or Tungsten matrix for my Browning UO to shoot ducks (the last time I shot ducks lead was legal
)- 100 rounds of Kent is almost $500, a new Remington 887 that eats steel shot like candy is $379 at Gander. Going from walnut and steel to "polymer" ie fancy plastic and stamped steel ain't gonna be easy!! but 887 is very light and really points well.
)- 100 rounds of Kent is almost $500, a new Remington 887 that eats steel shot like candy is $379 at Gander. Going from walnut and steel to "polymer" ie fancy plastic and stamped steel ain't gonna be easy!! but 887 is very light and really points well.MCgunner
Member
tactikel, I think you'll appreciate the plastic if you trip in the mud. LOL Trust me, I've done it often. My main duck gun is a Mossberg camo/plastic stock 500. It's rugged and if it rusts, so what? 
In 20 years, it's held up well. It don't have the polymer coating like the 887, but it's a pretty rugged finish.
I ruined a very pretty Spanish side by side duck and goose hunting in my 20s before steel got mandated. I still kick myself over that. The gun still shoots great, but the poor stock is beat to hell and there are a couple of rust pits on the old barrels from the rough boat rides in the bays. I mean, I could have at LEAST put it in a hard case for the boat ride. Young and dumb. At LEAST is wasn't something REALLY nice like a superposed or something.
In 20 years, it's held up well. It don't have the polymer coating like the 887, but it's a pretty rugged finish. I ruined a very pretty Spanish side by side duck and goose hunting in my 20s before steel got mandated. I still kick myself over that. The gun still shoots great, but the poor stock is beat to hell and there are a couple of rust pits on the old barrels from the rough boat rides in the bays. I mean, I could have at LEAST put it in a hard case for the boat ride. Young and dumb. At LEAST is wasn't something REALLY nice like a superposed or something.
RSVP2RIP
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My dad went the same route. He has a 20ga superposed and needed something for steel. He got an 870 Expres in 12ga. Never was happy with it and always wanted that 20ga double back. He bought a bunch of the wrong type of tungsten loads, thakfully I caught him in time as the superposed is choked IMP MOD and Full. So he grabed up some cash and got a Franchi Rennisance 20 and has been happy eer since. Being used to a certain type and quallity of gun and going the cheap route doesn't always work. You might be happier with you trusty friend and $500 worth of ammo that you use $50 worth a year.
MCgunner
Member
I burn though 10-15 rounds a hunt and hunt all season. I'd burn through that 500 bucks a few weeks into the season. Just depends on how rich and how dedicated to duck hunting you are. But, then, I don't have any really expensive shotguns to get used to. . Shotguns get tough use in my house where waterfowl is concerned and I consider 'em tools. I am a little more discriminating about 'em than a shovel, but I'm just sayin', if I spend 30 grand on a shotgun and took it to the marsh, I'd either have to be Bill Gates or an idiot, LOL!.
Anyway, in my mind, there's more'n one reason not to take a prized possession that's not steel compatible into the duck marsh. BUT, the OP says "jump shooting ducks" so I don't think he's haulin' deeks in the salt marsh pot holes. The gun won't see the use I put 'em to down here. I'd STILL use steel shot as an excuse for a new gun, though, and a 97 Winchester ain't exactly a Browning Superposed. The switch to an 870 wouldn't be a big shock, wouldn't think.
. Shotguns get tough use in my house where waterfowl is concerned and I consider 'em tools. I am a little more discriminating about 'em than a shovel, but I'm just sayin', if I spend 30 grand on a shotgun and took it to the marsh, I'd either have to be Bill Gates or an idiot, LOL!. Anyway, in my mind, there's more'n one reason not to take a prized possession that's not steel compatible into the duck marsh. BUT, the OP says "jump shooting ducks" so I don't think he's haulin' deeks in the salt marsh pot holes. The gun won't see the use I put 'em to down here. I'd STILL use steel shot as an excuse for a new gun, though, and a 97 Winchester ain't exactly a Browning Superposed.
The switch to an 870 wouldn't be a big shock, wouldn't think.
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My 1897 is an origional. So far I use Pinnacle reloads. I just want some ducks for holiday dinners. Will a few shots of Win xpert game/Target do a lot of harm? Should I reload some with steel shot in a plastic tube? I don't want to damage the old gun made in 1898.
chas08
Member
If the gun has a Full choke barrel, as most do, you could bulge the barrel just behind the choke. Never reload steel shot into any lead only shotcup, they are not thick enough or tough enough, and barrel damage would most likely occurr. Use steel shot components only, when reloading steel. I wouldn't consider shooting steel in an original 97. If you choose to use lead, even for "one time only" you are violating federal and state game laws, and if caught, the penalty can be quite expensive, I'm told. Probably more than the cost of the legal ammo or a new shotgun that is steel rated. The last point to consider is that modern loads operate at considerably higher pressures than shells generated in your guns era.
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