RE: bird shot down a slug barrel
You won't hurt the rifling unless maybe you shoot a ton of steel shot through it, however it is a complete waste of time and money because there is no choke in a rifled gun. The pattern will suck and be huge because of the lack of choke and the shot tends to spin as it leaves the barrel which spreads it out and leaves a hole in the center of the pattern. It will completely useless for any type of hunting using shot.
Paul