A question about my 110 year old shotgun.

[mr. matteeanne]

Grandpas Remington, semi auto 12 gauge shoots target loads fine, there is no sign of wear or corrosion inside or outside of the barrel, though it has fired a lot rounds in it's life.
The question is, can it fire a Magnum slug or 00 steel shot? I certainly don't need to (until the dead rise) But I am wondering if it is even a concern at all. I know Grandpa fire slugs through it all the time, and near as I can tell since he reloaded he added as much powder as can be added.
Thoughts? Experience?

[perterra]

Not a magnum for sure and I wouldnt run steel shot thru it.

Is it a model 11?

[snoid]

if it's a very early model 11 (check the date code on the left side of the barrel, remington can help you with the type), it's probably only worth a few hundred in mint unless it's ornately engraved. but still, it's an old gun. take it to a gunsmith and have it checked before running any hot loads or slugs through it.

[ADVMax]

If it's that old it's probably a Sportsman 48 as opposed to an 11 or 1100 series.

[snoid]

Originally Posted by ADVMax

If it's that old it's probably a Sportsman 48 as opposed to an 11 or 1100 series.

11-48 was 'new gen' post ww2. it was the replacement for the 11.

[68deluxe]

Try posting in shiny things. I would think a gun that old might not be up to modern loads.

[CA Stu]

Originally Posted by 68deluxe

try posting in shiny things. I would think a gun that old might not be up to modern loads.

*bang*

[snoid]

if it's mfg. date is during ww2, you need to scrutinize it for military markings. could be worth quite a bit more.

[High Country Herb]

Just because he hand loaded his own ammo doesn't mean they were hot loads. Most hand loaders of old were about getting the best accuracy with the least amount of powder. In fact, back in the day people were expected to bring back one animal per bullet the fired, or they were wasting resources. I wouldn't shoot magnums through it.

You can shoot steel shot, but it will wear out the barrel faster. 00 buck shot (steel or otherwise) would be just fine for rare occasions such as hunting or self defense.

[mr. matteeanne]

Originally Posted by CA Stu

*bang*

It's 110, hardly shiny.

[P B G]

1st the biggest thing is to check the chamber length.

With shotguns people like to throw around nomenclature like "Magnum" and such. But in reality you need to abide the chamber length.

That gun should fire any factory loaded 12 gauge 2 3/4" shell no problem.

With steel it is primarily a question of if the bore is hard or not, look for stamps on the barrel, and look up the meaning, usually they will tell you a good deal about the capability of the shotgun.


Based solely on age - I would say stick to 2 3/4" shells, does not sound like you handload so no plus loads. I would avoid steel unless birdshot and absolutely needed. And I would shood lead slugs or lead buckshot - but only if the choke is appropriate for it. (Not an X-tra full choke)

[tommyg]

One thing I would do is find out if it was damascus steel, if it is I wouldnt shoot it I just sold a 1921 ithica side by side to a gun broker and I got a good education on old guns and modern loads.

[mr. matteeanne]

Glad I asked. I have been firing target loads through it for years and never gave it much thought. I have a box of 3" 00 Buck that I shoot through the Mossberg, but never put one in the remington. I believe I woulda blowed my head clean off.

[Bueller]

As others have said stay away from 3" loads. I don't know the gun, but if it is Damascus Steel I would have it checked out well by a qualified professional and stick to light loads.

[ChromeSux]

If it is a model 11 it will look like a Browning auto 5, hump back is what the old timers called the Browning.

http://www.remington.com/products/ar.../model-11.aspx