Remington 1100

[Ebstein91]

Hi All,

My dad has 2 Remington 1100's and I was contemplating buying 1 for turkey hunting.  Both are 2 3/4 and one has a 23 inch skeet barrel and the second one has a 28 in full choke barrel.  Both of these are fixed choke barrels.  I'm guessing he bought them around 1985 ish.

Would either of these guns be good for turkey hunting? Thanks

[d.winsor]

The full choke might make you a 30 yard gun, I personally think it will always be lacking as far as a turkey gun.  If I were you I wouldn't fool around with a 2 3/4" gun for turkey hunting, especially with a fixed choke.  If you get into turkey hunting you will eventually want a 3" or 3 1/2" gun.  You will also need a turkey choke, the threaded barrels and chokes allow you to fine tune your turkey gun to at least 40 yards.  I would bite the bullet now and buy yourself a turkey gun, there are reasonably priced guns out there.  How much are you giving your dad for the gun?

[jfair]

Hey Ebstein,

I would shoot the 28 inch full choked barrel.  Look for a good 2.75 inch shell with 1.5 ounces of 5's or 6's.  Winchester makes super X turkey load shooting lead at 1260 fps.  Remember, this is the same lead at the same velocity as many of the 3 or 3.5" shells out there.  The problem is that you just won't be shooting as many pellets as the bigger shells.  Make sure to shoot it at 20, 30 and 40 yards to see what you get for numbers.  Take a good honest look at your pattern and if you have any doubt that it will kill a bird...don't shoot that far.  30 yards should be no problem.  35 could be questionable.  Never know until you pattern.

You will someday want a 3" gun as it will give you more options.  Don't let that stop you from hunting now.  Good luck.

[the Ward]

Saw on a  waterfowl website where its was possible to swap 3" barrels on late 2-3/4 receivers. Don't know the exact details now what was swapped but it was minor, and they did contact Remington to confirm it. So get out and hunt with it now and see about upgrading later on. I thought I saw Federal heavyweights in 2-3/4 loads too! 

[surehuntsalot]

the 2-3/4" 28" full choke barrel will kill turkey out to as far as you should be shooting
I used one for several years first starting out,and never gave it a second thought.
Winchester and Federal makes a 2-3/4" 1-5/8oz load that will rock any turkey's world.

[Ebstein91]

The best thing about this is my Dad is giving me a really good deal at 175 for either 1100.  Thanks for all the input guys.  I'll get the 28 in and do some pattern shooting with it after I find some of those federal shells.  Here's a pick of the two. 

[surehuntsalot]

good looking shotgun
love those older guns

[Dtrkyman]

federal shells with flight control should shoot well from a fixed full, you may be surprised at how well a fixed full can shoot...  I guarantee it will work beyond 40 yards!

buy both for that price!!!

[wcerin]

There was a lot of turkeys killed with 2 3/4" shells before 3's and 3 1/2"s came out. 1100 is a great gun. I own two of them. Pattern it and use your woods skills get em' close and have fun.

[Ebstein91]

I'm tempted to buy both but I'm already buying a couple of his other guns and I can't see me using the skeet gun much.  It is tempting though.  I do have a nice 870 pump but getting this 1100 will allow us both to carry a gun this year.    

Thanks for the tips guys I'll be hitting the store tomorrow in hopes of finding some federal shells mentioned above.

[d.winsor]

Be sure to pattern your gun at 5 yard Increments, starting with 30 yards, if your 30 yard shot does not have 100 shot in a 10 inch circle it is not good for 30 yards, if it is good at 30, increment to 35 yards etc.  One thing you need to keep in mind is most people went to 3" and better turkey loads.  There is a reason not many people shoot 2 3/4 " shells today.  It's got nothing to do with nostalgia.

[Hawk76]

I have 2 1100s that only shot 2.75 shells and it seemed to kill them, but I had a gunsmith put in a tru choke.  Then I was able to put a turkey choke on that gun.  It killed birds in excess of 40 yards more than once.  Not recommending it, I misjudged the distance.  My gun loves winchester #5 1 5/8 oz and a .650 turkey tube.  The biggest problem with 2.75" is the lack of shells, especially the HTL stuff.

If you want to upgrade to a 3", you only need the magnum action(which is only the stuff under the forearm) and a three inch barrel.  I did this and all is very good.  My gun put 291 holes in ten inches at 46 big steps yesterday.

[surehuntsalot]

Be sure to pattern your gun at 5 yard Increments, starting with 30 yards, if your 30 yard shot does not have 100 shot in a 10 inch circle it is not good for 30 yards, if it is good at 30, increment to 35 yards etc.  One thing you need to keep in mind is most people went to 3" and better turkey loads.  There is a reason not many people shoot 2 3/4 " shells today.  It's got nothing to do with nostalgia.

you don't have to have a 3" gun or certainly not a 3.5" gun to kill a 20lb bird