16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 29 Jul 2013 Posts: 61

Recently got a Remington 1148 recoil operated 16 ga for my 13 yr old.
He's skinny as a toothpick !
I reload low pressure loads for my old (1927) Fox.
What is a good pressure range to stay in to make sure the 1148 cycles everytime on the light load setting ?????

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 601 Location: Virginia

Pressure isn't what cycles the 11-48 or other long-recoil guns; payload weight and velocity are the drivers. I've not had much luck with weights below 1 oz at 1150fps. Others report different experiences, but I figure their velocities are making up for the lack of shot weight. The factory 12 gauge load of 1 oz at 1290fps was specifically designed to be ultra reliable in the A5. It's not a soft shooting load.

If recoil reduction for your son is the goal, I'd look around for a used Remington 1100 in 20 gauge.

Dan

*Last edited by skeettx on Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:19 pm; edited 1 time in total*

You will need to insure the 11-48 is set to light load.
Then lightly lubricate the magazine tube
Then try your loads as is.

If they do not function the gun, either find a load to increase the velocity
or the shot charge.

You might get lucky and the gun will work with your present loads when
properly set.

Mike

p.s. My son learned on a Standard Weight Rem 1100 20 gauge with the
stock shortened as much as the action tube would allow Smile

both of mine will shoot my 23gram loads all day long . they are light . 13grns reddot , dr and 23 grams . usually , if i drop to 3/4 , can't tell the diff .

Member Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 1695 Location: Minnesota

garvfam, Keep in mind also that fit is very important in perceived recoil. You say he's skinny, but you don't say how long arms are, weight etc. A too long stock will make the gun feel like its kicking harder too. I started my 13 year old out on a Mossberg bantam pump 20 gauge that has the different stock spacers as they grow. She never had any problem with recoil that way and last year she used my BT99 12 ga with 10z loads to shoot on her high school trap team, but the stock is shortened a little bit on that too. Good luck and have fun-great bonding times!

Another option is let the boy use the gun as a single shot w/ light loads until he can handle the recoil from loads which will reliably cycle the action. In this way, he'll learn to shoot well w/o the shove which leads to head lifting--always a very good way for a youngster to learn to stay in the gun throughout the shot. Works like a charm on all the kids we've taught over the years.

Joined: 29 Jul 2013 Posts: 61

he's been hunting and shooting with a 20 SXS since he was ten, so recoil isnt a problem. He has grown out of the SXS so a freind gave him the 1148.
I just ordered a spare stock that I will cut down the length (until he grows some) then add a limbsaver recoil pad as I did the 20 ga. SXS, and he can shoot it all day which he does quite often !
I just want to make sure we load up some rounds that will cycle it all day long !
Right now I'm loading for my old Fox SXS; 17.5 PB, win 209, BPI sg16, 1oz mixed, 1125 fps

My experience with both a 16 and 12 11-48 would lead me think the condition of the recoil spring and bushings may be a big factor in whether an 11-48 will function with "light" loads. If the gun still has the original springs and bushings, they would be almost 50 years old at a minimum and may have seen a lot of use. Weak springs/smooth bushing will be more likely to function with milder loads.

Actually, my 16 ga needed a new recoil spring and the newer version bushing to function well with any loads. With the original springs, the case heads were very concave after firing. Apparently the barrel was starting back before the bolt began to move. Excess headspace would also cause the same condition, I would think. The locking bolt slot in the barrel extension will get worn over time. Remington used to have graduated locking bolts to correct loose headspace.

Joined: 29 Jul 2013 Posts: 61

I know the original ownwer and the gun didnt get much use.

Have you tried your loads in the 11-48 yet?

Joined: 29 Jul 2013 Posts: 61

Not yet.... its turkey season here, so every waking moment is being used trying to get both my kids and their freind on gobblers......

Joined: 29 Jul 2013 Posts: 61

We just got it back from gunsmith getting a new front sight put on. So he has allready sighted in and practiced with his 20 ga mosseburg pump for turkey.
He has asked me to send the barrell to Briley and get choke tubes installed so he can use it for quail and turkey and breaking clays !!!
Its a thought.

Happy Easter All,

Or , be period correct and send the barrel to Polychoke