Can I shoot em in my Remington Model 597?

[deerslayer15]

I got a box of CCI bird-shot for my .22. I was about to shoot a couple when my dad told me to find out if they would hurt the rifling in my barrel.

So does anyone know whether or not they will hurt my gun?

And...has anyone ever used these shells. If so...how do they perform?

[JPSaxMan]

I've used Winchester bird shot cartridges, which are slightly different b/c instead of the end of the cartridge being fitted with a plastic cap that holds the shot, the end of the Winchester shell is crimped shut, almost like a shotshell. From my experience, it shouldn't hurt the rifling, but those are the Winchester shells. I have no idea why the two would be any different.  

[blackdirt beagles]

a little "casual" use of birdshot is more or less harmless to a barrel. heavy use over time may (will) add extra wear to a barrel. my only concern in your semiauto is if the birdshot has enough oomph to cycle the action. if not, you'll have to manually pull the bolt after each shot.