Walmart sells federal steel for 16 gauge. It works and its reasonably priced. The Winchester X-pert steel is a junk load. Take the shell apart and look at how its built. Complete junk. The cheap Remington Sportsman load is FAR superior. Its built like a target load, perfect round high quality shot, with sealed primer and sealed crimp. The federal load is well built too.
The Model 12 can handle steel all day long, with the right choke. The Model 12 is a brute with more than adequate strength. It can handle rifle type pressures, so can the 1897. I have no issues with modern steel shot, other than its all extremely speedy and hot. I use a heavy Remmy 3200 and it can even get unpleasant when shooting steel out of that tank. I much prefer the use of a gas gun when duck hunting/waterfowling, much more pleasant when the shooting is hot and heavy.
