Loads that Perform Well In a 11-87 20 ga ?

[kris7047th]

I recently bought a barely used Rem 11-87 20 gauge compact, 2009 . The first time I got to shoot it was Saturday, and it was great the first 10 rnds of Federal and then stopped cycling properly. Yesterday I shot is for the second time and it would not cycle any of the Winchester 7/8 shells. I thought it had a bad extractor until a guy suggested trying a different brand. I had a few boxes of Remington Target loads and that was great. Anything Remington it just fired off and sent the spent shells flying and accuracy was dead on. I am wondering what other brands work fine with this model. ??

 

[Dave McCracken]

Probably everything,kris. The Winchester generic stuff has issues,even in some of my well worn shotguns. So, though not as bad, do Gun Clubs.

Semis oft have a breakin period. Another case or two to polish up the bearing surfaces and this may even handle those Win rounds.

 

[kris7047th]

My 11-87 was made 2009, but quite possibly was not broken in. I bought it through Gander Mtn shipped in from Wichita. It was initially difficult to rack the bolt back because it was so tight (who knows when the last time) It was very dry and did have some evidence of being shot, probably very few rnds through it. The piston rings were stuck to the mag tube. I cleaned/wiped everything down before shooting it. Gotta say Federal is a heck of a lot cheaper in my area than Rem shot shells. I really like this little SG, low recoil and very accurate.

ps .. when I tried to clean the crud off the mag tube and rings, nothing seemed to work until I got the idea to use Cameo Stainless Steel Cleaner which is very non abrasive and have used it for years on stainless steel pots/pans. It's a fine powder that you only dampen the surface and rub gently with a soft cloth. The crud & *stain* came right off with no effort, and the tube and rings just shine like new. They slide nicely now.

Thanks Dave !

 

[krimmie]

What condition is the gas seal? If you are not familiar with it, the gas seal is rubber-like 0-ring that is seated in a shallow groove on the mag tube.

It was initially difficult to rack the bolt back because it was so tight

The piston rings were stuck to the mag tube.

Even though it might not have been shot much, it sounds like it was never cleaned after it was shot. I would remove the stock and check the action spring and the tube that contains it...clean both. While you're at it, the trigger assembly should be removed and cleaned. With the trigger guard removed, you will have easier access to clean the inside of the receiver...be very careful though, the grooves that the link travels on are VERY sharp and will cut you good.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Kris, my Beretta does not like the Winchester or Federal light target loads. I stick to Winchester AA loads or Remington.

 

[kris7047th]

^^ Thanks! ^^

The rubber seal is fine .. plyable. Another guy thought that it needed to be broken in. I doubt that the SG had very many rnds through it and I really think that it had not been used in a long time. The piston rings were a bit *stuck* to the tube. I had to wiggle them loose to free them up from the tube. I wiped everything and lubed the gun well before I shot it. It was pretty dirty after firing the Rem loads through it (ran flawlessly after switching to the Rem loads) I was advised to *polish* the tube which I did last night. I plan on ordering another piston ring set and extra rubber seals for back up. A friend plans on hauling me to SG matches. I went with him 2 weeks ago for my first time. Had a great time and learned a lot. I am not out to compete with guys who have been doing this seriously. I need/want to develop SG skills that could better serve me in a time if needed for SD.



I have a gorgeous Benelli Ultralite 20 ga. but it only holds 3 rnds and a mag tube extension isn't possible. My Benelli will fire everything! That first match I attended I had to use my *back up* SG a Mossberg pump, and everyone else was running semi's. So I asked my LGS and what to get in a 20ga youth preferably, and he told to get a Rem11-87 Compact.

 

[kris7047th]

Piston and seals and activator that is only on 20 gauges for light loads.

 

[ISO1600]

I have a similar 11-87, although not Youth.

At first it wasn't cycling very reliably, it seemed to be very finicky. Not sure if it's just getting more broken in, or if i'm finding ammo that works better with it, but so far the best has been Federal Field & Range Lead Game & Target... which is no longer listed on their website- here is the steel equivalent:
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/shotshell.aspx?id=846

I was shooting the Lead 3/4OZ 7-shot version of this last weekend, and had no problems at all.