The term "high brass shells" is pretty much meaningless now-a- days. Pay attention to the payload and published pressure for the load you plan to use, not the how high the brass is.

The Ithaca N.I.D. was designed for modern shells and depending on the weight of the particular gun, you can shoot any modern lead or appropriate non-toxic loads in it (not steel). If the ugly part bothers you too much spring for a high grade and you'll forget all about ugly...Geo.