I have a 1984 12 gauge Wingmaster with a 26" barrel and improved cylinder choke. If I choose to hunt quail on Wildlife Management land, I will have to use non-toxic shot. Is steel ok to shoot and if not, what is the best option.
You can shoot steel fine thru that set up. Issues are with tight fixed chokes and large steel (or tungsten alloy) pellets. The more expensive non toxic pellets like tungsten polymer are much more effective, but also much more expensive.
You should be fine. Early steel shot had horrid shotcups that didn't protect barrel linings well. Nowadays they are thick and tough and don't allow the pellets to scape things up. Get good ammo though.
