I have my father's old Model 11 (that's right, no zeroes). It's a pre-steel shot gun and I haven't used it for waterfowling since the lead shot ban. Is this firearm safe to use with the new tungsten, Hevi-shot, etc waterfowl loads? As I recall, the danger from steel came from the hardness, which caused the pressure problems in the barrel. Does the new stuff deform more like lead?

I would think its ok as long as its not steel. The other stuff is softer like lead.

Bismuth shot should be ok. Tungsten is much harder than iron.

How can I tell which is which? I read the boxes on this stuff, and it's like everyone is trying to protect their secret recipe or something, won't say what's in it, just that birds magically rain from the sky if you point it upward.

http://armscollectors.com/sn/remdates.php

Puskrat, depends on how old, check the barrel for acase lengthdesignation,cases that are too long will chamber but when fired will not fully open in the 'OLD' shotguns, I have one made in 1908 when the shotgun was called Auto Loader, In 1928 the safety was moved from in front of thetrigger to a lateral cross pin. The Model 11has3friction load adjustment to prevent the bolt from hammering the rear of the receiver,is best to adjust to the heavy setting then change to a lighter settingif the fired cases will not cycle.

You said "OLD Model 11", I do not know if you father purchased it new or used, I would not shoot anything but field loads until I knew more about the shotgun.

F. Guffey

Puskrat,

http://www.remington.com/library/history/firearm_models/shotguns/model_11.asp

F. Guffey