Remington11-87 problem

[Big]

I have an 11-87 that I bought new about 5 years ago.  Have used it on skeet, doves, turkey, deer (with Hastings slug barrel), squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese, etc, you get the idea.  It does everything well, as long as I do my part;  I really like the gun.  It always goes boom and cycles, except when the feed latch breaks, which has happened twice now.  It only happens after firing a few rounds of 3" steel shells (not turkey loads).  The part that breaks is the little tip that keeps the latch from overextending across the face of the shell in the magazine.  I keep the gun clean and lightly lubricated.  Anyone have this experience, or have any idea why it happens?

Graybeard?

[30-06man]

Sounds like you need to call Rem CS.

[Graybeard]

Nope not me. The ONLY part I've ever had break on an 1100 or 11-87 was the operating handle on an old 1100 28 gauge and that happened back in the '70s.

[The Gamemaster]

I have an 11-87 that I bought new about 5 years ago.  Have used it on skeet, doves, turkey, deer (with Hastings slug barrel), squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese, etc, you get the idea.  It does everything well, as long as I do my part;  I really like the gun.  It always goes boom and cycles, except when the feed latch breaks, which has happened twice now.  It only happens after firing a few rounds of 3" steel shells (not turkey loads).  The part that breaks is the little tip that keeps the latch from overextending across the face of the shell in the magazine.  I keep the gun clean and lightly lubricated.  Anyone have this experience, or have any idea why it happens?

Graybeard?

My guess would be that you are using the wrong choke and are building up too much chamber pressure.

Back in the day when steel shot came out, it was found that you could not use the same type of choke for steel shot that you could for lead shot.

With your Remington shotgun and chokes, you would probably have to use Improved or Modified Choke as a Full or Turkey Super Full.

I believe what is happening is that the steel shot is going through the barrel and hits the choke and gets a lot of back pressure - because Lead can compress , where as Steel cannot.

The gas has to have some place to go and it is pushing backwards instead of going out the end of the barrel.

[Foggy]

I agree with The Gamemaster. The choking for steel is different. steel chokes tend to be more open the there lead counterparts.

Foggy

[Big]

Yup, you guys were right. I was using a mod choke with steel #2s and BBs.  Remington CS said that the largest steel you should use with a mod choke is #4, or else too much pressure causes too high a bolt speed.  OK to use #2s with an IC choke.