Savage 755 and parts compatibility

KotKotofeich

KotKotofeich

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My FIL gave me the Savage 755 that was his father's. Will be going to one of my kids when they are old enough, but until then, I find that it occupies a rather narrow hunting niche. It has a fixed full choke right now.

I'm not much into shotguns so if what I write here is total blasphemy - do correct me :)

I would like to have it set up with interchangeable chokes so it can be used for any and all hunting (steel and lead, small game, turkey and waterfowl) as well as with slugs if necessary. I read that Remington 11 barrels fit, but I'm getting a little confused between the various types. Are 11-87, for example, compatible? If anyone wants to point me to the best source for a barrel with replaceable chokes, I won't turn that down.
 
There will be no factory barrels for your 755 with screw in chokes. Unless of course someone had them installed after the fact. Remington model 11 barrels will interchange. The 1187 is a completely different gun and those barrels will not work. The last Remington Model 11 was made around 1947-48. It would easier to have your current barrel threaded for chokes than trying to find a Model 11 barrel. The barrel would need to be: Outside diameter no less than .825" and the inner diameter no more than .736". These are the parameters needed to install Colonial style chokes. I have these chokes in my shotgun and they are very good. Shotguns with recoil operated actions do not perform well with slugs in my experience. The moving barrel seems to throw slugs all over the place. Yours may be the one that shoots well though. Even with choke tubes installed I would not shoot any lettered steel loads such as BB or BBB. Your shotgun was made before steel shot came around and the large steel shot sizes may damage it. You have options but it will cost at least 200.00 bucks for a model 11 barrel ( if you can find one) or the same for threading and installing chokes. (if your barrel is suitable) Just some things to ponder. The option I did not consider until now is to have the choke opened on your barrel to light modified or Skeet 2. This would make the barrel perform pretty well for all the pursuits you have in mind for it. This would also be the most cost effective also.

Darryl
 
Sorry, but I wouldn't put a dime into that gun other than cleaning it and setting it up to work. Maybe open up the fixed choke a little to make it more useful but that's it. Don't even think about steel shot.
 
struff55 said:
A dime that’s generous I would cut it up and put it in the dumpster . Each to his own
Click to expand...

Indeed, but I believe continuity is important. I know the shotgun is nothing special on its own - only in how it's been in the family for three going on four generations.

Can someone explain why steel will never be ok in this shotgun? One other option is to have a gunsmith convert the current barrel for modern screw in chokes - wouldn't that work with steel shot? Otherwise this one will be no use for waterfowl...
 
The Savage 755 was the all steel version of the 755 775 series of Savage auto loading shotguns. They are well built shotguns based on the Browning long recoil patent. Your gun if in decent condition will last a long, long time. It can shoot steel shot but not well in it's current form. It will need screw in chokes ( not thin wall types) or the fixed choke opened up to be steel usable. Having said that the gun is older and the barrel steel would be at best used with moderate velocity, numbered steel shot loads. i.e. no larger than #2 and around 1375 fps. I hunt and shoot several vintage pumps and semis with steel shot and follow my own advice that I noted previous. There are some who say "No!" to all steel shot in any older shotgun and you have to respect their opinion. There is lots of reading on this issue all over the web. Thin barrel walled, tightly choked side by sides and over and unders are one thing they and I agree on when it come to steel. The risk of damage to these types of guns by heavy loads of steel shot is just too great. With your choke opened up to modified or more open like improved cylinder and using the load types I described you will be fine. Improved cylinder and #4 steel shot makes a pretty nice duck gun in my experience. Now remember, this is what I do. Others will condemn it and some will agree. Do some reading and make your own educated decision. I owned a 755 in 16 bore for years and wish I still had it. It was a fun gun to hunt with and shoot. I have no love for the aluminum framed 775 they were prone to cracking frames and other issues.

Darryl
 
By all means keep the gun for sentimental and functional reasons. Just realize it's not going to be more than it is right now. You could put in screw-in chokes and also make sure you lengthen the forcing cone, all for steel shot. But honestly, Imp Cyl does most of my hunting. So, easy solution is stay with small steel shot and ream it to IC. Done. Enjoy!
 
Looks like the gun has some problems. Occasionally it will load a new shell but not ####. The bushing is set to heavier loads. Checking here just in case it's a relatively simple solution before I send it to a gunsmith.
 
KotKotofeich said:
Looks like the gun has some problems. Occasionally it will load a new shell but not ####. The bushing is set to heavier loads. Checking here just in case it's a relatively simple solution before I send it to a gunsmith.
Click to expand...

Gunsmith for a 755?? in 2019
I would have to say 99.9% that ever touched one are dead and even when they were here would not work on one
If madtrapper cannot help I would say you are toast
I have been fixing all makes and models like struff55 since the mid 60's and never put my paws on one of these to fix
That being said somewhere in this old head I seem to think a model 11 ring setting was the same
Cheers

HywSdBu.jpg
 
Last edited:
3macs1 said:
Gunsmith for a 755?? in 2019
I would have to say 99.9% that ever touched one are dead and even when they were here would not work on one
If madtrapper cannot help I would say you are toast
I have been fixing all makes and models like struff55 since the mid 60's and never put my paws on one of these to fix
That being said somewhere in this old head I seem to think a model 11 ring setting was the same
Cheers

HywSdBu.jpg
Click to expand...

I've been told this as well - that a model 11 is the same.

I have the a similar picture in the manual and I believe it's currently set up as the heavy loads image indicates. Your picture shows some differences in orientation of the steel ring though - thanks! - will need to check when I get home.

As far as a gunsmith goes, I was hoping Jason Spencer in Ottawa would be good for this as he's used to old timey stuff...
 
KotKotofeich said:
I've been told this as well - that a model 11 is the same.

I have the a similar picture in the manual and I believe it's currently set up as the heavy loads image indicates. Your picture shows some differences in orientation of the steel ring though - thanks! - will need to check when I get home.

As far as a gunsmith goes, I was hoping Jason Spencer in Ottawa would be good for this as he's used to old timey stuff...
Click to expand...

I would try myself first before putting any money out
Also make sure is it squeaky clean. Old lube can cause issues even in these designs
Good luck and I hope you get it working
Cheers
 
Clean it well. Light coat of oil on mag tube. May need to be set to light load setting depending on what kind of cartridges you are shooting. If you are shooting promo or target loads the light setting may be the answer.

Darryl
 
Update.

Got some time to work on it, gave it a good cleaning and lube with g96. It now works ok-ish - I still did have a couple hiccups on one mag where it would pick up the new shell but not ####. It looks like I really need to toughen up - if I let the recoil rock me back at all then I have the 'will not ####' problem. If I push against the recoil everything works fine.
 
madtrapper143 said:
The action spring in the buttstock may be full of debris,rust and grease. This may be contributing to the issue. I don't know if I have mentioned this before.
Darryl
Click to expand...

If you did, it didn't make it through my thick skull that there's something in the buttstock! Thanks! I'll see if I can figure that out tomorrow.
 
Nothing wrong with a fixed full choke. I do a lot of hunting with some old Cooeys. You can get bismuth for ducks and if you spend some time patterning you will probably find even a normal game load that will work for turkeys. For me I leave the old ones be.
 
madtrapper143 said:
The Savage 755 was the all steel version of the 755 775 series of Savage auto loading shotguns. They are well built shotguns based on the Browning long recoil patent. Your gun if in decent condition will last a long, long time. It can shoot steel shot but not well in it's current form. It will need screw in chokes ( not thin wall types) or the fixed choke opened up to be steel usable. Having said that the gun is older and the barrel steel would be at best used with moderate velocity, numbered steel shot loads. i.e. no larger than #2 and around 1375 fps. I hunt and shoot several vintage pumps and semis with steel shot and follow my own advice that I noted previous. There are some who say "No!" to all steel shot in any older shotgun and you have to respect their opinion. There is lots of reading on this issue all over the web. Thin barrel walled, tightly choked side by sides and over and unders are one thing they and I agree on when it come to steel. The risk of damage to these types of guns by heavy loads of steel shot is just too great. With your choke opened up to modified or more open like improved cylinder and using the load types I described you will be fine. Improved cylinder and #4 steel shot makes a pretty nice duck gun in my experience. Now remember, this is what I do. Others will condemn it and some will agree. Do some reading and make your own educated decision. I owned a 755 in 16 bore for years and wish I still had it. It was a fun gun to hunt with and shoot. I have no love for the aluminum framed 775 they were prone to cracking frames and other issues.

Darryl
Click to expand...

Darryl with do respect thin wall would be the only style of choke that could be installed in that gun . Have the choke opened and shoot no 4 and no 2 steel thru it and it will work fine . Also steel ammo works at the top end of the pressure curve the action spring and recoil spring on the gun is likely very worn not much resistance that bolt will come back at a increased velocity possibly cracking the reciver . The gun had its time and it has passed . Hang it on the wall take it out occasionally for a shoot and all will be good
 
I have to agree that thin walls are the only option for screw in chokes with that old 755. I believe it can be made to do some decent hunting service again with some trouble shooting. But I would not spend a lot of time and money to make it a "go to" hunting shotgun.

Darryl
 
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