Winchester model 97 ?

[Win71]

I have an old Winchester '97 that I want to use for turkey hunting this coming spring. My question is are these old guns safe with the 2 3/4" Turkey Loads made by Winchester, Remington, & Federal with 1 5\8 oz. shot and 4 dram equiv. powder ? Should I stick with the old maxium load of  1 1/4 oz. shot, 3 3/4 dram equiv powder, which I 've killed many turkeys with before ? My '97 seems tight, trigger sear is good, everthing works fine, built 1927.

[Siskiyou]

I would suggest that you stick with the old.  Your asking a lot of an old piece of equipment.  It is a little like the two old airtankers that had their wings fall off last summer.  Every round fired in the 97 has created a certain amount of stress.  It was designed to function under stress created by the ammunition that was on the market at the time it was manufactured.  I suspect that stress Levels maybe exceed by the new rounds.  

Having seen the deadly result of a barrel burst in a large weapon, I would not even want to see it in a thin shotgun barrel.  Bleeding out under an old Oak Tree would not be a pleasant way to go.

I believe the 97 is a neat shotgun.  Had one as a kid. I think your question is a good one.  If you have a concern, listen to the intervoice.

Siskiyou

[Win71]

Thank you for your reply Siskiyou, I needed that second opinion.

[stv]

I have a mod 97 from about 1908 or so.  I still use the old girl for small game but limit the loading to light target limits, 1 1/8 with 2 3/4 dram loads out of respect for her age.  The gun was around the farm for most of her life and used hard.  But she still jumps off the rack come hunting season.  I would limit the load out of respect for the age and in my case hard wear and use.