Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck

Hey guys, I'm looking for some tips on ammo for a Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck I just got my hands on. My goal is to use this as my primary waterfowl gun, with application for small game and upland bird as well. I realize there are a lot of modern options out there that are more economical, lighter, etc, but I'm pretty keen to make this happen. I'm hoping for some tips on what kind of non-toxic ammo you use for waterfowl, what kind for other game, and what you use for trap, if you can make some recommendations.

Thanks -

CG16, I'm afraid I can't help you...but have favor to ask. I've heard the M12 Heavy Duck had a shorter LOP...around 13 5/8. Could you confirm that for me, and if it is 13 5/8, let me know if you think it is about right with a duck hunting coat on, or a little short. Thinking of shortening an older 870, but wondering if I should.

with it's mag . capacity, that would make a good "conservation" gun for snow goose spring season. I have head good about HeviShot, but it costs a ton.

300, will do! It will get to my FFL Friday or Monday, and I'll measure and check then. I'm not a model 12 expert by any measure, but I think you're right on the 13 5/8 based on the research I did before buying it.

Kid, I've heard the same about hevi shot, looks like that or bismuth are my options for waterfowl, but the 3" target and game rounds are looking elusive...

In loaded rounds you have TM from Kent, Tundra from Fiocchi, Nice Shot from RST and Hevi Shot has a Classic Doubles in a soft non-toxics.

For reloading there is Nice Shot and Bismuth from Precision Reloading and ITX shot from Ballistic Products.

I would stick with the soft non-toxics if you want to keep the full choke in it. There is a lot of meat in the barrels and you could have steel safe tubes installed and shoot steel and tungsten.

13 5/8" LOP prior to 1959. 13 3/4" LOP 1960 and after.

Winchester made changes to the stock of the Model 12 duck gun after its introduction. A red rubber Winchesterre coil pad was added the first year of production. Length of pull was reduced in January 1936 to reflect the extra clothing worn by duck hunters. The drop at heel was reduced from 2-1/2 to 2-3/8 inches in December 1938.

The straighter stock reduced perceived recoil. Down pitch remained 2-1/2 inches with the 30-inch barrel throughout production. The less pronounced pistol grip-style buttstock of the original Model 12 was discontinued in late 1934 and is not found on duck guns. The new 1935-style buttstock featured a closer and fuller pistol grip. The buttstock was reshaped on Model 12 shotguns again in the mid-1950s. The late style stock featured a flared pistol grip moved back a bit from the trigger. In 1960, length of pull was increased to 13-3/4 inches on duck guns. The straight grip stock, optional from 1935, was discontinued in the late 1950s.

GunDigest, July 6, 2009

erich, thank you. I've actually reached out to Nuline and Briley, and am considering sending the barrel to Briley to thread. I'm only hesitating because I've read mixed reviews on how the barrel of the M12 holds up to steel shot. The bulk of reviews state you can fire it without risk if you thread and choke the gun, but a few here and there state that steel shot will still score the barrel, rendering it unusable after a time -

I have another question I'm hoping someone will weigh in on. The barrel of the gun is marked "For 3" Super Speed or Super X." I've read that the Heavy Duck is safe for 2 3/4" shells as well, but wanted to confirm this, so I called Winchester yesterday. The CS rep stated that he wasn't familiar with the Model 12 Heavy Duck, but then continued on to advise me not to fire 2 3/4" from the gun. Can anyone definitively say if the Heavy Duck will handle 2 3/4" as well as 3" shotshells?

Thanks for all the help -

16, I have a heavy duck, and have fired hundreds of the shorter shells though it.. I brush the chamber occasionally, but have never had a problem..I bought some Kent nontoxic ammo for mine, and have a bunch of Bismuth from other projects.. They are excellent old shotguns.. Mine is a killer on sage grouse in open country..

Wyo, great news, thank you! I suspected that was the case, but was hoping to hear it from someone with first-hand experience -

Thanks, CG16. While I'm a Wingmaster fan myself, there is no prettier pump shotgun than a M 12. I handled a field grade, plain barrel M 12 in our local gun shop last year. It felt nice.

What is the choke? Be carefull putting Steel Shot through a Full Choke, most Heavy duck guns were choked. "Full"

300, it is a full choke currently, but once in I'm looking at options in regards to opening it up. It'd be cheaper to bore it out to open it, but I'm leaning towards having it bored and threaded for modern steel-capable choke tubes, either by sending it to Briley or taking it to a local gunsmith who's done great work for me in the past.

Oh oh....there are two of us .300 savages! I chose my name because my dad and favorite uncle both had M 99 EGs, and I shot my first deer with my dad's. How about you, 300Savage?