Remington Model 11

[follow maggie]

A couple weeks ago my great uncle gave me his shot gun- a Remington Model 11 with a full choke barrel. It was made in 1946. I want to use it hunting a little bit this year, probably pheasant when the weather is nice & waterfowl from a field on a nice day. Is it ok for the gun to run bismuth shot through it?

[ASHQUACK]

I inherited one like it in 20ga. I have shot bismuth through it a few times. I've used the hevi-bismuth with decent results and no apparent damage. I also have a Belgium a5 20 that I inherited and use the same loads in.

[wadu1]

Bismuth will be fine, unless it's marked 2 3/4 check the chamber length. It's in good shape.

[follow maggie]

Thanks. It’s stamped 2-3/4” on the barrel. He also gave me a Steven’s 107B single shot 20 gauge break action that’s in good shape, also. The receiver is case hardened. It was his first gun when he was a kid. I can’t find a serial number on it, but it’s probably from the 50s

[wadu1]

Thanks. It’s stamped 2-3/4” on the barrel. He also gave me a Steven’s 107B single shot 20 gauge break action that’s in good shape, also. The receiver is case hardened. It was his first gun when he was a kid. I can’t find a serial number on it, but it’s probably from the 50s

A lot of older single shots did not have SN's. SN didn't become mandatory until 1968; I may be wrong on the date.  I have a WIN 37 and a Stevens Fox SXS without SN's.

[follow maggie]

I didn’t know that about serial numbers. They’ve both definitely been taken care of over the years. They’re definitely once in awhile nice day guns.

[wadu1]

Remington Model 11 were made from 1911 - 1948. The Remington Collectors has a list of SN"s by date, it's neat to find out the manufacturing date. I picked up a L.C. Smith SXS 20ga, found out it was made in 1926, and it has 2 1/2 chambers. I also have two Parker SXS in 12ga one 1919 and the other is 1923. 

[follow maggie]

I love those old shot guns. I really have a thing for shot guns. I found the manufacture date of mine on remingtonsociety.org. I’d like to get an LC Smith or Parker someday.

[brokenvet]

Nice,
You may want to change the springs on your Rem 11 specially if your thinking about using for waterfowl.

Those waterfowl loads are pretty strong.

Arts gun shop sells the kit, but his website is not working at the moment.  You may want to call. 

[wadu1]

I didn’t know that about serial numbers. They’ve both definitely been taken care of over the years. They’re definitely once in awhile nice day guns.

Follow up with the SN. The Gun Control Act of 1968 was signed into law October 22, 1968, required SN's from then on.

[chukardogs]

Can a 2 1/2 inch chamber be cut to a 2 3/4 relatively easy and would it be safe? Unless it's worth a lot of money, where are you going to get 2 1/2 inch shells?

[wadu1]

Can a 2 1/2 inch chamber be cut to a 2 3/4 relatively easy and would it be safe? Unless it's worth a lot of money, where are you going to get 2 1/2 inch shells?

Some shotguns may have enough material to rechamber to 2 3/4. But if you are doing it to an older collectable, I would not do it. You can still buy 2 1/2" shells, RST or S&B, they are not cheap. I'm getting setup to roll crimp 20 and 12. For the 20, trim the hull to 2 1/2 about .250 off. I'll be using 14.3gr of 20/28 with a CB0078-20 wad overshot card then roll the mouth.

[follow maggie]

Thanks for the tip on Arts Guns. I’ll give him a call. I’ve seen 2-1/2” shells online. I wonder if you could reload your own & cut a longer shell down before loading to make it 2-1/2?

[Chiwaukum]

I purchased a Model 11 from a fellow member last year. Mine dates to 1920. Replaced the springs with a kit from Art’s. I shot 3 boxes or so of 2 3/4 Boss bismuth through it with zero problems. 12 ga full choke, 28” barrel. Set the friction ring to “heavy” (instructions for this come with the kit from Art’s). Love how this shotgun comes to the shoulder with the sight picture right where it needs to be. Seemed to pattern just fine with the bismuth #5’s.