Steel shots in shortend Rem 1100?

[SwedishGuy]

Question: Is it prudent to shoot steel shots out of my Remington 1100?

Background: I have a Remington 1100, I don't know the year it was made. It does not have the "fleur de lys" symbol http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/bu...ease-in-shotguns-ruined-by-steel-shot-2-21604 However, the barrel has been shortend to 19", just cut right off so there's no choke what so ever.

Why steel: Where I live, in Sweden, we have pretty strict laws against led shotgun ammunition. It is allowed to use lead shots in the forrest and on shooting ranges. As a consequence steel shots are very common, especially trap/skeet ammo, and thus cheap. Even though my gun is primarely used for short range and slugs I'd like to practice some with it using shotgun shells (pellets).

Given the cut off shortened barrel I kind of think it should be safe and not hurt the gun. Any insights?

Best regards
SwedishGuy

 

[243winxb]

Look up the barrel code online for a date of manufacture. Looks like different steel after June 1995. http://www.gunsmoke.com/guns/rem_lawsuit_result.html

Steel shot should be fully contained in a shot cup, keeping the shot from contacting the barrel .

My guess is, with no choke, you may be ok shooting steel??

 

[Virginian]

Will not hurt a thing. I have been shooting steel out of 60s era Remington barrels since they first came out. The only potential issue is too much choke in the larger shot sizes.
You may have to shoot heavy loads to get proper function with that shortened barrel.

 

[jmr40]

Steel shot can damage "older" shotguns not designed to shoot steel. Mostly older doubles with thin metal at the end of the barrels. Steel shot was mandated in 1991 and any gun made in the USA 1991 or after is perfectly safe with steel shot. In fact MOST of them made prior to 1991 aren't effected. I don't think you would have any issues with any 1100 or 870 from any era shooting steel.

Cutting the barrel back however on a gas operated semi-auto can have a detrimental effect on reliability. The guns use pressure built up in the barrel to cycle the action. Shorter barrels don't let the pressure build up enough to cycle many lighter loads. You may find that the gun is only reliable with more powerful loads and it may not shoot light loads reliably.

 

[SwedishGuy]

Thank you all! Good you agree on using steel skeet/trap ammo in the gun. I'm figuring since the loads are lighter (24 g = 370 grains), the pellets small, the cup made of plastic and no choke it should be fine.

Thanks for the comments on reloading problems. I have experienced that. I'm on to that one in another thread here https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/unknown-gas-screw-on-remington-1100.828634/ and I'll try some sligtly heavier loads (28 g = 432 grains) to see if it makes any difference.

 

[kudu]

Barrels can usually be had at reasonable prices, at least in the US, not sure of availability in Sweden. Good luck, best bet on clays would be skeet, you need a bit of choke for trap shooting.

 

[entropy]

You should be fine shooting steel shot in a cut-down 1100 barrel. I shot steel in an 1100 made in 1962, for about 4-5 years before I gave up duck hunting in disgust because of steel shot. As kudu said, your biggest problem with be lack of choke.