Is there any other Browning info that specifically mentions the BSS? When I bought mine in 1985, I was looking for a SxS that I could use with the newly infamous steel shot. I contacted Browning about these guns and they indicated that they didn't think there would be a problem.
I shoot almost exclusively at Tule Lake for ducks, geese and pheasants. I have been shooting this gun an average of 10-20 days/year for 21 years. I've never added it up, but 5 boxes a year for 21 years is over 2000 rounds, and when I think about it, I'm sure we have exceeded that. Especially if there is a good wind blowing. We used to get free ammo from Tom Roster when he was doing his blind tests on various ammo types to replace lead. Those were interesting studies. To participate, we didn't know whether we were given lead or steel and had to agree to account for every shot taken, and turn in the results of each shot. Miss,clean kill, cripple, recovered or not, etc. Lots of cripples with the early steel. The new steel is certainly a lot better than the early test loads.
Anyway, FWIW, that is my experience with the BSS. My gun has no barrel ring bulge.
Also, for many years, my hunting partner shot nothing but a fixed choke Citori from the early/mid 80's and had no problems with that gun as well.
Gordon
