doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Stevens model 311 20 ga ?

I am old enough to remember when Stevens began chambering their 311's in 20 ga for 3" shells. Don't recall the exact year but was in the 1960's. I do not think SAAMI pressure specs have changed since then. The high velocity shells maintain a normal pressure level through use of lighter shot loads & slower powders.

From what I have seen on the 311's it appears all gauges are built on essentially the same frame, varying only the height & width of the standing breech & firing pin spacings. Since these guns in 12ga routinely handle the high velocity 1¼oz & magnum 1½oz loads in their 2 3/4" chambers I would not expect any problem in using 3" shells in the 20.

Your only concern will not be one of "Safety" but simply if the steel will peen out the chokes. Over the long years of steel usage this has I believe been mostly taken care of by development of better wadding, than was used in the early days. Any availab;e loads whose shot more closely approaches the density of lead will of course be more effective than steel.
"Don't" try Sky-Scrapping with steel, regardless of gauge.

THANK YOU 2PIPER, This is the type of info I was hope to locate from someone who new the sammi numbers and stats. I never think my 20's will down passing geese at 70 yards or ducks for that matter. I just like jump shooting or decoying.I have said before 20ga is not for every one I just like them myself. THANKS AGAIN GOOD HUNTING TO ALL.

I would make sure the TRUE chokes (comparing bore size to the muzzle) are mod or more open and 2 3/4" loads at about 1350 fps.

Patriot USA / Anyone,
I have a micrometer and also a machined set of choke gauges, but no bore gauge. Is there any know way to make this comparison without an actual bore gauge??? Thanks in advance for any and all answers - other than those telling me I am an idiot for asking!!!! Seriously, thanks.

Perry;
The actual choke dia is not as important as the amount of constriction. For this you have to know the bore size. If you are not checking a lot of bores, very accurate measurements can be made with a telescoping gage & micrometer as long as the gage has a long enough handle to get ahead of the forcing cone. I use a Starrett set with a 9" handle for this purpose all the time. If you have any machinist friends one of them may have one of these.

I use 6" inside leg calipers gradualy turning them down until I can juuust barely feel some drag, then measure the span with a micrometer. It will be within .001 or .0015; close enough for me. Had to grind down the sides of the legs so they would fit in a 20 bore.
There have been some guns that still didn't throw the size patterns they should have according to bore and muzzle measurements. Probably because the way the choke is tapered in a particular gun.