Getting 11-87 to shoot lighter loads

[koldt]

I tried the search, didn't work. And I know this discussion has probably been done to death, but,,,,,,,,,, Can one of our more knowledgeable shotgun guys tell me how to get my 20", 11-87 to function with lighter loads? It's set up for 3 gun matches, pistol grip, rifle sights, bayonet stud in case the targets charge, etc.

Everything works fine with #4 buck or heavier, and I know that is what this gun is designed for, but with some of the local 3 gun matches, and practice, I would like to shoot some less expensive rounds. ie. common 7 1/2, etc.

I'm thinking just cut the recoil spring to a certain length (what ever it might be), but I'm hoping that maybe there is a "trick" that can be more easily/readily/less permanently done.

Aftermarket adjustable gas ports?
Funky new addition I've never heard of?
Homemade solution?

Any help appreciated.
Thanx.

 

[na1lb0hm]

everything I've heard for semis and lighter loads is run lots of heavy rounds (1000 or so) through it.

shameless stolen from shotgun world :

My guess is that your gun has a non-compensated 11-87 barrel, similar to an 11-87 deer barrel. If that is the case, it is designed to function with heavy loads only, similar to an older 1100 Magnum. However, Remington's page does not specify that to be the case and in fact states that the gun should cycle light loads.


You could check this yourself to see if your barrel is compensated or not. Remove the forearm and barrel and then check the gas collar. On a regular 11-87 there are 4 holes visible by looking inside the gas collar. Two are gas ports that vent gas from the inside of the barrel and two are ports that are vents to the atmosphere for over pressure. These latter vents are covered by a band on the outside that keeps them closed under low pressure (light loads) and allows flow under high pressure (heavy loads).

On a Remington 1100, a target barrel has only the two gas ports, with no compensation. This type is for target loads only. On a Remington 1100 Magnum, a magnum barrel has only one gas port (I have never seen one but read that many times here) and will only function heavy loads reliably. An 11-87 deer barrel is made to fit the 11-87 but is a non-compensated barrel like an 1100, designed for slugs or buckshot (both heavy loads).

If you have a normal pressure compensated 11-87 barrel, it might eventually be able to shoot light loads. There are many threads on here about guns needed to be kept cleaned and lubed, the need for break-in, or liking specific shells. The 18.5" barrel though, is going to be more finicky by design since there is less barrel after the gas ports; therefore there is less time for the high-pressure gases to act on the piston.

If the barrel is not a pressure compensated barrel, I would not expect it to cycle light loads reliably.

maybe try many different brands of shotshells till you find a hotter loaded one as well?

 

[X-man]

I had one. Never did manage to get it to function reliably with light target loads and had no interest in drilling the gas port larger. I kept it for waterfowl and returned to the Remington 870.

 

[Ruger30-06]

Ive gotten mine to cycle fine with the Winchester low recoil buckshot rounds.

Its ate everything ive fed it.

 

[bdogg]

Remington site does mention that the shorter deer barrels will only shoot heavy loads,you need a regular barrel and cut it down,my 11-87 shoots any kind of shell without problems......