Remington 11-48 question

[opos]

In my Father in Law's estate a few years back there was an almost unused 11-48. I'm not a shotgunner any more (grew up with a 97 in my hands) but was wondering about the gun..it's from the '50's..and appears from what I can see to be in proper working condition...I've done a bit of looking at you tube and google information and understand the "blow back" design, etc.

My question is this..as it's a much older gun and since it was made when all shot was lead is it ok with steel shot (full choke) and if so...what "power" loads...I'd like to just shoot it a few times....clean it up well and put it back away..I've never had any experience with steel shot in anything..

Thank you

[wilit]

I've got a Sportsman 48 (11-48 with a 2+1 capacity). It's a great gun and will usually eat everything I put through it. I don't know that I'd shoot steel through it with a full choke though. You could either get a smith to open up the choke or have it drilled and tapped to accept removable chokes. The latter will probably cost you more than the gun is worth however.

[wweigle]

Steel through a full choke is a no no, to tight as there is no compression of steel shot. Other none toxic shot ok. Opening the choke up by a gunsmith is probably the best advise to improved cylinder or modified in order to shoot modern steel shot shells, which should be fine to shoot through a less restrictive choke. 11-48s are great reliable guns. People tend to forget that in most cases the reason manufactures went to different designs is they were less expensive to produce, not superior in use. Manufacturing technology advances were a major force in many very reliable guns being discontinued. The 11-48 was a less expensive to manufacture Remington model 11, which was manufactured from the early 1900's, which was a browning design, also manufactured as the the venerable Browning a5 in Belgium. My cousin has his dads 11-48. Its is a great shotguns. works perfectly. It will out last you. Surprisingly, the browning patented recoil operated design with the barrel moving like it does is also one of the fastest shotgun actions ever developed.

[jl7422]

Low brass target loads will be safe and cycle your 11-48 just fine with the mag. tube slightly (one drop of oil on the rag) lubricated.

[Huntsprig]

If you just want to shoot it a few times and you are not hunting, just use lead shot.

[ronrichards64]

The last time I went to the Shotgun range we had a 11-48 , It would not eject the low brass target loads . the gun was from 68 vintage with a rib and shot well .

[CSACANNONEER]

For me, it would depend on exactly what you have. Post a few pictures and let us know what gauge it is. While I don't think I'd run steel shot through a fixed full choke because, it's not recommended, I might run a couple rounds (not boxes) through it if it was a plain Jane 11-48 with a plain barrel. Or, find a used barrel and have it tapped for removable chokes. I really like my 11-48s. I've never had an issue with any of them cycling anything I've put through them. I have a .410, 2 28s, a 16 and a 12 right now.

[otteray]

Keep us posted! I have a solid, reliable 16 ga 11-48, fixed Modified barrel from 1952 and have never really thought about using steel shot through it.

[Bull Elk]

Decent shotgun but if it has a fixed fc, then I wouldn't bother having a smith open it up. That's just me.....I just don't think it's worth the effort. If it's not a fc, then buy all means enjoy it.

[Huntsprig]

For me, it would depend on exactly what you have. Post a few pictures and let us know what gauge it is. While I don't think I'd run steel shot through a fixed full choke because, it's not recommended, I might run a couple rounds (not boxes) through it if it was a plain Jane 11-48 with a plain barrel. Or, find a used barrel and have it tapped for removable chokes. I really like my 11-48s. I've never had an issue with any of them cycling anything I've put through them. I have a .410, 2 28s, a 16 and a 12 right now.

This^^^
I have the 11-48 my dad bought for me way back when I was a kid.
I still use it for Quail , Doves and clays and it has never given be a bit of trouble.
I have also thought about having a barrel threaded for chokes.

[Huntsprig]

About 10 to 15 years ago I sent a email to Remington about using steel shot in my 1952 20 GA. 11-48.

This was there reply:

Thank you for visiting Remington Country! We certainly appreciate you taking the time to write in with your question.

You can shoot steel shot through any Remington barrel made since 1950. In a fixed full choke, you can shoot up to a size #2 pellet. Anything larger would not perform well out of a fixed full choke and could open up your muzzle over time.

Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our Consumer Services Department at 800-243-9700, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, EST, Monday through Friday.

I guessing that some folks using that advice had their barrels damaged because I noticed a couple of years ago they had changed their recommendation on their website

They now say:

Question
Can I use steel shot in my shotgun barrel?

Answer
We do not recommend the use of steel shot through any barrel manufactured before 1963 or through any barrel having a fixed Full choke. If you have barrels, manufactured after 1963, with fixed Modified or Improved Cylinder chokes, you may shoot up to size #2 steel shot. The use of steel shot larger than size #2 is only recommended in modern barrels with the Rem Choke system.

If you have the Rem Choke system, you may shoot any size steel through the Improved Cylinder and Modified choke tubes. The Full choke tube must state "For Steel or Lead" to be capable of handling steel shot.