I need to be schooled

[mranum]

The original post didn't have any mention of vintage guns.

Your right I failed to mention it.  The mossy comes from 1982 and the Savage from the late '60s.

Seems I started quite the debate here.

[joeyc]

So have you had two H&R's have this same damage.  The quote below from Dawei in another forum states steel not Hevi-12. I don't think there is a one answer for all guns on this.

"What I meant by 'Blown Out" is the choke is opened up/enlarged beyond original dimensions. I have seen this happen several times on fixed choked guns. Additionally, I have further seen the barrels of SxS guns separate when Steel and HTL have been shot in them. I own a 12ga H&R FULL choke gun, purchased in 1977. The muzzle mikes to.721" from having steel loads shot through it; that's IMP CYL. Now if steel shot can do this; certainly Hevi13™ or Heavyweight™ WHICH IS HARDER AND FAR LESS MALLEABLE THAN STEEL; will certainly do it also. By all means I am not trying to argue, just relating my own personal experience. In that vein, I stand by my original statement."

[dawei]

So have you had two H&R's have this same damage.  The quote below from Dawei in another forum states steel not Hevi-12. I don't think there is a one answer for all guns on this.

"What I meant by 'Blown Out" is the choke is opened up/enlarged beyond original dimensions. I have seen this happen several times on fixed choked guns. Additionally, I have further seen the barrels of SxS guns separate when Steel and HTL have been shot in them. I own a 12ga H&R FULL choke gun, purchased in 1977. The muzzle mikes to.721" from having steel loads shot through it; that's IMP CYL. Now if steel shot can do this; certainly Hevi13™ or Heavyweight™ WHICH IS HARDER AND FAR LESS MALLEABLE THAN STEEL; will certainly do it also. By all means I am not trying to argue, just relating my own personal experience. In that vein, I stand by my original statement."

Correct, one damaged by steel & the other by Remington® Premier® Hevi•Shot®. (I have 11 H&R/NEF® Single shot shotguns in 12, 16, 20, 28, and 410ga. All are Fixed Choke guns.)

[davisd9]

If you want the ability to try different chokes and loads then get another barrel.  If you shoot the gun with Federal HW and are satisfied it is a killing pattern and that is all you want than stick to it.  Most importantly know what your gun can do and even more importantly know what you gun CANNOT do.  Good Luck!