Can I use 3" shells in a Rem 1100 20 GA LT 2 3/4 chamber?

[mdg_01]

Hi all. What I would like to know is if it's safe to fire 3" steel load shells out of my remington 1100 20 GA LT that is stamped 2 3/4? I cycled some through today and they cycled fine. This particular shotgun will not cycle anything with low brass even though I've done the usual (new o'ring.compression rings,etc...) so any input on that would be welcome also. Anyway will this hurt my gun in the long run? Is it ok? What are your thoughts and experiences?

 

[Oxide]

Ok, two thoughts.

1. Do not fire 3 inch, or 3.5 inch shells, out of a gun marked for 2 and 3/4. Never. Here is a story: Guy I knew shot 3 inchers out of his Drilling, made for 2 and 3/4 shells in the shotgun barrels and 30-06 in the rifle. He shot off a 3 incher, and the gun fired all 3 barrels. This happened a couple times, and he was told not to do that. Your gun is NOT awesome German hardware, so it could blow up, instead of just malfunctioning.

2. Look at the dram eq on the box. Some guns will not run with a low dram eq, which is an equivalent measure of smokeless powder to drams (a unit of measure) of black powder. I think most autoloaders might need 2 and 3/4 dram eq, whereas a pump, and your shoulder, will like lesser.

 

[Ron James]

Can you? Yes. Is it safe ? no. The reason it will chamber and cycle is that a shot gun chamber is cut about a quarter inch longer than the case for which it is chambered for. Hence a chamber for a 2 3/4 shell will be 3 inches. The extra length is for the shell to unfurl. If you fire a 3 inch shell the shell case will unfurl beyond the chamber and act as a obstruction, increasing pressure to much higher at that point. It is possible to have your chamber re cut for 3 inch shells, but why, a 2 3/4 shell will do most anything a 3 inch shell will do and at less cost and recoil.

 

[rcmodel]

I could be wrong, but I think the 1100 20 GA LT was called a lightweight for a reason. I don't think the receiver is quite as robust as a standard weight gun.

But regardless of all that, if it says 2 3/4" on it, thats what you should shoot in it.

Even if no harm was done by shooting 3", they very likely will not eject after the crimp unfolds because the ejection port isn't long enough.

rc

 

[Milkmaster]

Can I use 3" shells in a Rem 1100 20 GA LT 2 3/4 chamber?

NO!

 

[Virginian]

An unfired 3" shell measure less, that's why they will cycle. If you fire a shell the unfolded crimp will extend into the forcing cone, and could raise pressures significantly.
What is your 1100 doing? I've had 9 and worked on bunches more and they run like typewriters.

 

[Onmilo]

NO!!!

 

[Milkmaster]

This particular shotgun will not cycle anything with low brass even though I've done the usual (new o'ring.compression rings,etc...)

Did you happen to think about cleaning the gas ports on the barrel? Use some CLP and a pipe cleaner if you got one. It could take more effort if they have not specifically been cleaned in a while. Good luck!

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

No no no!!!!

 

[Virginian]

The LT 20 standard receiver is identical to the Magnum one, same as with the 12 gauges. Different barrel porting and action sleeve is the difference. And they quit making the Magnum 20 action sleeves when they introduced the 20 gauge 11-87, same as they did with the 12s.
Do not shoot 3" shells in anything but a 3" chambered barrel.
Have you cleaned EVERYTHING, including the action spring and tube in the buttstock? The trigger group? Again, what's it doing?

 

[mdg_01]

Thaks for the feedback. Yes I have cleaned the gas ports with pipe cleaners, and have had this gun completely apart and cleaned every spring and piece in the gun several times over. I've replaced the compresion rings twice and the o'ring with it both times. Here is what it's doing. I bought a box of Estate High Velocity Mag Steel 2 3/4 3/4 oz 4 shot shells put them in the shotgun and they won't cycle automaticaly even with fairly high brass. My wife had bought me a box of Remington 3" 1oz 4 shot the night before and I knew they were not right but I was going hunting this morning and ran out of time and they did cycle. Even before that I have had problems with this gun shooting any shell with a low brass. 8 shot,7 1/2 and so on. I have never used or even heard of Estate ammo could it be the ammo is just not hot enough? It was all the local dealer had in the size I was looking for. I did take down 2 pheasant today using 3" but I dont want to continue to harm my gun. The only shells I've had any luck getting to cycle have been slugs and, 2 3/4" 20 Pellets #3 and #4 Buffered Lead Buckshot anything less and the gun just won't do it. Anymore help or input would be much appreciated.

 

[Virginian]

When you say "it won't cycle", what's it doing? Leaving the next shell on the lifter, not even opening the bolt, what? I have seen some replacement piston and piston seal sets that were too loose a fit to the magazine tube for decent cycling. Are you sure you have everything in the right order? Clean out the ports with a drill bit turned by hand. Should be a #51 bit. Soft stuff won't always get hard crud build up out.

 

[mdg_01]

The LT 20 standard receiver is identical to the Magnum one, same as with the 12 gauges. Different barrel porting and action sleeve is the difference. And they quit making the Magnum 20 action sleeves when they introduced the 20 gauge 11-87, same as they did with the 12s.
Do not shoot 3" shells in anything but a 3" chambered barrel.
Have you cleaned EVERYTHING, including the action spring and tube in the buttstock? The trigger group? Again, what's it doing?

The trigger group EVERYTHING has been gone over a few times over and the tube in buttstock also. I guess I should have added that when I say cycle I do mean they were cycling automaticaly with the pull of the trigger. Just from past internet reading these are some finicky guns and I would love to get this one firing right. It's not in mint shape or bad shape either but I've really come to be quite fond of this shotgun. Virginian I would like to hear more about your experiences for sure with 9 under your belt. The only other thing I could think of to do if I can't get it firing right is to send it to Remington but I can just imagine what kind of coin I'd be out on that!

 

[Milkmaster]

Do your seal rings look like this picture? Just checking to see if you might possibly have them assembled backwards.

 

[mdg_01]

No Milkmaster they do NOT look like that. If that is correct the top ring was upside down.

 

[mdg_01]

Virginain is that the correct placing of the rings in his pic? Apparentley it was! I just loaded the Estate shells in it and low and behold it fired and cycled the next shell into the chamber. Man do i feel like an a$$! Thank you guys very much for your feedback. You made an old man very happy!

 

[bassdogs]

Just have to ask, when it didn't cycle right, why was your thought directed to using an oversized shell?

Right ammo for the gun, is always the way to go. If it doesn't function correctly then the gun needs to be checked by a gunsmith.

 

[Black Knight]

I have an 870 Wingmaster that has a 3" chambered barrel but the gun itself is marked 2 3/4" shells. I had a feeling I could shoot 2 3/4" shells only but called Remington for confirmation. They told me that with the gun being marked 2 3/4" shells it would not properly eject fired 3" shells. I suspect that besides the pressure problem the ejection problem will also show itself. When in doubt if the gun itself says X shells don't shoot Z shells in it, shoot only X shells.

 

[Sensai]

Once