Steel shot in an M1100

[Beriky]

I came across a good deal on an M1100 that I would like to take duck hunting.

The gun looks older than when steel shot hunting was common but the owner claims it's fine to shoot with steel and that the barrel is 'newer'. It has a fixed modified choke. I asked him to try to date it and get back to me.

Would I be OK? Is the barrel going to bulge? Is the gas system designed to take steel 2.75" shot? I could see this guy offloading it cause it's useless for steel.

 

[Grouse Man]

On the left side of the barrel should be two letters, ex. RP. That is your date code. Look it up anywhere on the 'net.

 

[t-star]

there's a LOT of us that have the old 1100s- the letter i got from REMINGTON FACTORY says that you can use steel, provided you go NO BIGGER THAN no2, and that's circa 75- long before steel- but if you go on the remington site, you can e-mail them your serial number, and they CAN TELL you what the steel limits are- there are a couple of alternatives- bismuth, instead of steel, have the choke opened up to modified( which is VERY popular) ,or a new barrel( about 300 with the interchageable choke kit)
if you are able to shoot steel, just be aware that it acts "funny" as compared to lead- with my full choke, and no 4 steel, it shoots what i would call "super full"- almost rifle like and your range drops by a bit- you'll have to see when you pattern the gun- and you SHOULD pattern before taking it afield, just to see where it shoots-
if it is a modified choke on there already, it is probably ok, but it wouldn't hurt to ask- and the guys will tell you whether it was shipped that way or not- also fire a note off to the barrel manufacturer if different than remmy, and ask them- afaik, there is NO issue with the gas system itself

 

[Beriky]

Thanks for the advice. I'll check the code and then fire off an email to remington.

 

[daveg01]

I have an old sportsman 12A, which was the predecessor to the 1100. It is exactly the 1100 I'm told and parts are completely interchangeable. I have been shooting steel through it for years. I bought it used from a duck hunter who fired tons of steel out of it.

On mine the choke was reamed out so it is a smooth bore now. Never had an issue.