Just bought a Stevens 311 A, 2 3/4" 12 gauge, with double triggers, a case hardened reciever and 28" barrels made in 1953 or 54 in about 95% condition. Does anyone know if they will handle 2 an3/4" Magnums? Locks up like a new gun, smooth, shiny bores. I wanted one for a while. Thanks, skokie.
Stevens 311 A
- Thread starter skokie
- Start date
I love this old gun also and had one for years growing up.I shot lead 2 3/4"magnums out of mine all the time with no problem but mine was just a bit newer maybe 1963 or so.
Perhaps someone with more knowledge on them will chime in.
311
If it's marked 2 3/4" then you should not use 3" shells -- however 2 3/4" magnums will be fine. What are you hunting tha might require magnums? The only time I've used magnum loads for hunting over the last 45 years was in the good old days hunting geese with lead and that was overkill. I've hunted big stuff up to turkeys and cranes with 2 3/4 standard loads. BTW I wouldn't recommend these new high speed high pressure steel in the 311.
OMHO
If it's marked 2 3/4" then you should not use 3" shells -- however 2 3/4" magnums will be fine. What are you hunting tha might require magnums? The only time I've used magnum loads for hunting over the last 45 years was in the good old days hunting geese with lead and that was overkill. I've hunted big stuff up to turkeys and cranes with 2 3/4 standard loads. BTW I wouldn't recommend these new high speed high pressure steel in the 311.
OMHO
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
It will handle 2 3/4" magnum loads with no problem if your shoulder can. I wouldn't suggest shooting steel out of most double barrels but the barrels are so thick on these old guns that I think it would take a long time to cause any damage. However, the full choke should be opened up. However one must remember that this is no longer a new gun and over the years the wood has maybe dried a bit or become soft from oil. Shooting any magnum loads now may cause the stock to crack after awhile. I keep my old 311's to lighter loads.
