I`m looking to buy myself one of the doubles. What is C&R eligible and which 12ga. model will be best for all types of bird hunting, from ducks to dove. Also can you shoot steel shot through a 311.

Burch

Bruch, I don't think any of the 311 models are goin to be C&R, but the ATF web site could tell ya..

I don't remember if the last ones out the door where set up for steel,,but the early ones sure wheren't

I guess doves to ducks I would say Imp/ Mod,, or maybe have some one install choke tubes, Like Briley I had Gander Moutain do mine years ago

Bruch, I don't think any of the 311 models are goin to be C&R, but the ATF web site could tell ya..

I don't remember if the last ones out the door where set up for steel,,but the early ones sure wheren't

I guess doves to ducks I would say Imp/ Mod,, or maybe have some one install choke tubes, Like Briley I had Gander Moutain do mine years ago

What does C&R eligible mean ?

Curio & Relic, here's a link that should tell you about everything you need to know: http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/relics/curio.pdf

You can shoot steel through any 311 provided you use only those rounds loaded with the extra thick soft shot cup wad so the wad acts as a buffer for the choke. I can't recall the trade names on these wads. I think it was Federal that offered them as a reloading component. "Bore Saver" is possibly the name?

FYI, most of the 311's are only chambered for 2.75" ammo. May want to also check out the Baikal's http://www.baikalinc.ru/en/company/49.html#tth

Wasn't aware that there is a padded wad for steel in older guns. No personal experience with shooting steel, but I remember when the stuff was first mandated that the advice was to not shoot steel thru the older, hence untested doubles because they are assembled with soft solder and the micro-expansion and contraction of the barrels would cause the solder to crack and separate. This problem was solved in newer guns. Good luck. gw

Tungsten matrix and bismuth can be used in any steel barrel in good shape.

C&R= made before 1955. Byron

I have had a 311 in 12ga since the early 70's. I carried it all over the US in the service and shot stuff from coast to coast, including deer and hogs. Great meat guns.
I would not shoot steel in one, but certainly Bismuth or TM. The short Bismuth Magnums in #5 are absolutely deadly on ducks, like the lead #6 loads I used prior to 90. Mine is 28" Mod/Full and swings great but now adays its heavy and kicks hard. I shoot 20's almost exclusively today.