You’re right about the steel shot, but bismuth works well, acts pretty much like lead. I started duck hunting in the mid 60s with a pump shotgun before choke tubes. A 30” full choke barrel was pretty standard for ducks, so I’m not too freaked at the thought of full and full. I will definitely pattern both barrels with fives, sixes and 7-1/2, but I’m pretty sure .45 is way too tight, even with spreader loads.
Regarding just buying another gun, I’m not rich and married to boot lol, this gun is in good condition but certainly not mint so I wouldn’t feel guilty using it in rough conditions. I would never buy a gun and not use it. My hope is to own too fine shotguns, this one for waterfowl and I hope to find a nice light 16 or 12 for pheasants. My two current guns are an LC Smith featherweight 12 that weighs 6#-9oz for pheasants and a Sterlingworth Pin gun for ducks...
