Will adding a choke to a "collector" lower it's value?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys, I've had an old Remington 11-48 28 gauge shotgun in my collection for some time...inherited from a family member. It's in pretty mint condition, save for the finish on the wood...which has become a bit soft and almost "sticky". I'd like to try grouse hunting with this gun, and am contemplating getting an interchangeable choke added by a gunsmith. At first, I tried to source an additional barrel to shorten and get the choke work done...then learned that a barrel for this gun is in the $600+ range! Then I thought...maybe just the choke, to keep it as original as possible. To be a nice gun to use in the field, I'm about 90% sure I'm going to re-do the wood...so that alone might alter/diminish it's value.

For what it's worth, I hope to never sell this gun....but would rather honor it's history (my grandfather was an avid hunter) by actually using it.

Thanks for taking a moment to respond.
 
Any idea on the constriction presently? Why not test (on paper).....if the bbl patterns well as is then you are good to go without need for alteration.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Hey guys, I've had an old Remington 11-48 28 gauge shotgun in my collection for some time...inherited from a family member. It's in pretty mint condition, save for the finish on the wood...which has become a bit soft and almost "sticky". I'd like to try grouse hunting with this gun, and am contemplating getting an interchangeable choke added by a gunsmith. At first, I tried to source an additional barrel to shorten and get the choke work done...then learned that a barrel for this gun is in the $600+ range! Then I thought...maybe just the choke, to keep it as original as possible. To be a nice gun to use in the field, I'm about 90% sure I'm going to re-do the wood...so that alone might alter/diminish it's value.

For what it's worth, I hope to never sell this gun....but would rather honor it's history (my grandfather was an avid hunter) by actually using it.

Thanks for taking a moment to respond.
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Hi: The barrel for the 28ga 11-48 is hard to locate but not worth 600.00, 200-300 tops pending the choke on gunbroker. Someone is seeing probally that corsons has them listed for 400-550 which is where the 600 is coming from.However they have been there since I can remember .Also I am not aware of anyone in canada installing choke tubes in 28ga shotguns .. I had to send mine in 28 ga to briley in texas to have them fitted.take care
 
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Ahsan Ahmed said:
Any idea on the constriction presently? Why not test (on paper).....if the bbl patterns well as is then you are good to go without need for alteration.
Click to expand...

Good point! If grandfather was an avid hunter and it was good for him, it should be good to go now. :D
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
Any idea on the constriction presently? Why not test (on paper).....if the bbl patterns well as is then you are good to go without need for alteration.
Click to expand...

OK, so "collector" might have been the wrong word...I was just a little shocked at the barrel price I saw in the US and was struck with indecision. :)

Anyhow this is good advice, I'll do that. I hope to give grouse a "shot" (no pun intended) this coming fall, and have a hunch it would be great fun with this shotgun. It is currently a full choke, which...in the absence of knowing how it patterns, suggests it might be best for long shots/birds in flight. I haven't encountered many grouse where I've been, but the ones I have seen have all been on the ground. Back WAY up and shoot? lol

Just thought having a more open choke might open-up some options. Anyone here use a 28 gauge for grouse? What barrel length/choke?

Thanks for the input everyone, I'll posts some pics once I get the wood cleaned-up.

Cheers,
Rob
 
Any alterations and refinishing decrease the value of a collectible firearm...

If it is a good example of a 28 gauge 11-48 it may have some value to a small gauge collector.

A 28 gauge or .410 in 100% condition with a VR barrel might be worth about $450. 100% condition is as new from the factory.

The same gun in 60% condition might only be worth $200
 
In my experience a 28 gauge works just as well on ruffed grouse as a 20 gauge. I use Winchester 1oz. loads in mine and it seems to hit just as hard and kill as far as any 20 gauge I've owned. Improved cylinder is fine for wing shooting in heavy cover while a full choke is great for birds sitting in the middle of a woods road a fair distance away. Some purists might frown on shooting a sitting bird but they taste just as good as one shot over a dog on the wing.
 
Pattern it first, you possibly don't need to have choke tubes installed.

How are your wingshooting skills, btw? That sounds like it would be a sweet gun on the skeet field.
 
Well, back in my trap and skeet days (belonged to 2 clubs) I could break 21-22 consistently with my 12 (also an 11-48, only modified choke) shooting trap. Skeet~didn't shoot it as much, but my best was 19...which isn't great. :) With the cost of both clubs...and shells for this 28, it may be reserved for hunting!

Birds on the ground/in the air~I have very little faith that I'll even see one within 3 hours of the north end of Toronto where I live...so it hardly matters. :redface: For me though, I think I'll have no hesitation shooting one on the ground if that's the shot I'm presented with.
 
Mike Webb said:
In my experience a 28 gauge works just as well on ruffed grouse as a 20 gauge. I use Winchester 1oz. loads in mine and it seems to hit just as hard and kill as far as any 20 gauge I've owned. Improved cylinder is fine for wing shooting in heavy cover while a full choke is great for birds sitting in the middle of a woods road a fair distance away. Some purists might frown on shooting a sitting bird but they taste just as good as one shot over a dog on the wing.
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Absolutely!

To the OP - stationary birds shouldn't be an issue with tight(er) chokes. Just hold a little over the head of the bird if you plan on eating that afterwards. :)

I would still suggest a quick trip to the range. While the following isn't a truly orthodox method for patterning a shotgun....it will provide you with a first hand idea on how the bbl will perform with that existing choke....

- carry a handfull of shells each - 3/4oz loads of #6, #7.5 and #8.....
- test each type at 20 yards (general distance for shooting grouse, on the wing)
- use large sheets of paper to draw a 30in circle with a bull painted in there
- quickly mount the shotgun to your shoulder, point at the bull and shoot

Grouse isn't at all a hard bird to bring down if one can effectively score a hit with just maybe 2-3 pellets in the vitals. Best of luck in the upcoming season.
 
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