Remington 11-48 or Ted Williams Model 300/Winchester 1400?

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billyb0b

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I have the opportunity to pick-up either a 12ga 26" Remington 11-48 or a 12ga 28" Ted Williams Model 300 (which is essentially a Winchester 1400) for free. The 300 is in pristine condition, however, I have heard that it is very high maintenance and it is prone to cycling issues. The 11-48 is in working condition and to my knowledge it is mechanically sound, however, it is a bit beat up and the bluing is almost all gone, and it is virtually impossible to get parts for it. I was wondering if I could get some input from owners of either shotguns, on which would be the better acquisition. BTW, I would most likely use either one as a trap/skeet gun. Thanks.
 
I have a hunting buddy that has been shooting a Ted Williams Model 300 for more than 30 years. It is still his go-to gun even though he has many others including a Remington 11-87. I have no experience with the 11-48. But over the last 25 years or so I've seen that 300 go through thousands of rounds without so much as a hiccup. I'd have to give the "thumbs up" to the 300. :)
 
11-48. No disrespect to the 300/1400, but the 11-48 is a fine pointer and lasts forever.
 
For Free?????
Ahhhh.....BOTH!!!
I'm partial to the 1400-1500 shotguns ,they shoot where I look at,no other reason.
For a bird gun, migratory, the max capacity of the 1400 is and will always be 3 shells, 2 3/4" length - ONLY. This is a good thing for dove and ducks.
I really like the 1400's and 1500's under the bed. Just never shoot them anymore.
An 11-48 is a good design and quality build.
Flip a coin.
 
1400s are much maligned...

and, not only in my experience, but that of everyone I've ever read who's owned one, totally undeserved.

Mine has never let me down. Even when it was so dirty that I could literally watch the bolt cycle back and forth between shots, it's never failed to load, fire, and eject everything I've ever shoved down it's maw.

The gas path gets really dirty, but disassembly isn't that difficult, and everything's accessible.

Do not, ever, at all, even think about taking the trigger group apart to detail clean it. Ask me how I know this...

It'll only chamber 2 3/4" shells. So perhaps not the best choice for waterfowl, but I do not as yet hunt them, so I don't know. I'd certainly take my 1400 into a duck blind, if and when I go.

The only complaint I have with the gun, after many seasons afield, is in carrying it. It's heavy, and more to the point, there seems to be no way to lay the gun on my shoulder that does not result in some edge or corner digging in. I usually end up carrying it at port arms, which is quick but tiring, or at shoulder arms, with the stock reverse and the bottom of the barrel on my shoulder... which is really slow on the flush.

It's a great gun, has been very reliable for me, and I'll never get rid of it.

--Shannon
 
I've got a Ted Williams 300. Its a great gun. I'm shocked by how reliable it is. When I first got it I did a basic cleaning and it worked fine. The gas system is as simple as it gets. After about 500 rounds I decided to really clean it. When I removed the bolt and carrier from the receiver there had to be 1/8-1/4 inch of dried carbon and dirt encrusted grease on the carrier.

The gun works great, its got a period correct adjustable choke, and can be had for next to nothing.
 
I bought a Ted Williams 300 back during the 1960's. It still is a beautiful and reliable gun. The Lyman choke still throws beautiful patterns. I seldom use it but it is there if I need it.

I guess I've been guilty of following the fad crowd into whatever is new to the market. Inertia actions, et al. That TW300 will shoot just as well today as it did 40 years ago.
 
I do keep mine clean, but my Winchester 1400 is just sweet to shoot, the lightest gas gun I've ever fired on the shoulder. Seems like the hotter the load, the lighter the recoil, go figure. It does the job, is reliable, and is the only gun I've ever picked up that fit me just right out of the box. I've for years used the gun on doves and went to my Mossberg 500 for ducks. Well, now days, with the advent of Expert high speed and Kent Fasteel, I've been shooting the 1400 a LOT on ducks and it does the job just as well. I shoot #3 steel and it patterns great. That gun has slain a lot of birds and it ain't done, yet.

Seems to me the 1400 is one of the shotgun world's best kept secrets. If you never tried one, you owe it to yourself. I know nothing of that Remington, just know the Winchester is awesome.
 
Does steel shot score your barrel? If yours can handle steel, I'll be trying it in mine with the Lyman set on IC.
 
RLM, I have a hunting buddy that I refered to earlier in this thread who has used his 300 with the Lyman adjustable choke with steel. He never sets it tighter than modified and most usually it's on I/C, with no apparent ill effects. Todays modern shotcups for steel have practically eliminated "scuff-throughs" I've been looking at every one I find for the last two seasons and haven't found one scuffed through yet. I'm trying to get up the nerve to shoot some through one of my Model 12's with a modified choke. Just haven't done it yet.:)
 
My 1400 was bought from Wallyworld about 1988 and is steel compatible, but I'd reckon chas08 is right about the shot cups being much better now days. They've got the steel thing pretty well thought out.

I generally choke IC early season and mod late season in my guns. Full is a bit useless for steel shot.
 
but I'd reckon chas08 is right about the shot cups being much better now days.

Please don't misconstrue my comments to mean, "yeah it's OK go ahead and do it". My comments are based on a mix of personal experience (mostly) and the advice of those I respect. A reputable 'smith challenged me on the shotcup quest two seasons ago. It stands to reason to me that if you build enough compressibility into the shotcup the compressibility of the shot is moot. If tungsten shot scuffed through, there wouldnt be a barrel out there that could take it. Tungsten is used in machine tools and drills. Or if you get a hold of a 25 year old box of steel shot, all bets are off. Many of the dangers associated with steel and older guns has been solved or lessened with improvements in materials and technology. But they are still very real. Before you try anything out of the norm, engage your common sense, do some research, and proceed with caution. My apologies for getting off topic :)
 
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