HD Ammo for Remington 11-87?

[Forty.Five]

I just bought my first shotgun, a new Remingtom 11-87 semi-auto police model. Any advice on which shotshells would be best for me to test during my first range session?

I'm thinking #1 or 00 buck. Should I bother with the 2 3/4" reduced-recoil or will it not cycle well in the semi-auto? If not, then perhaps a standard 2 3/4" or should I use a 3" for reliability? I intend to try a variety, such as Winchester, Remington, Hornady, Federal, etc.

I'd appreciate the benefit of your experience...

Thx,

Forty.Five

[L-2]

I've always used 00 buck, Federal LE12700, being a favorite, full powered load. However, I mostly use Winchester "SuperX" rounds as these are more readily available to me and also supplied by my agency.

Alternatively, a full powered 1 oz. slug is also attached for a longer distance, more precise threat.

When I first got my 1187P, it wouldn't reliably cycle the low recoil loads. Hundreds of rounds later (500-1000), it seems to cycle the lower recoil stuff more reliably, but again, I don't rely on the low recoil stuff.

Another test would be if it cycles Remington #8 birdshot.

I generally only use 2.75" shells.

[Scattergun Bob]

L-2 has covered the important bases for you. I too question low recoil rounds in gas op guns. I would stay with full power defensive loads in a 1187 fighting scattergun.

CLEAN, Properly Lubed, Within factory specifications, seems to come out of my mouth every time I speak about Fighting Scatterguns. I would consider this chant Double plus important with a gas gun.

Good Luck & Be Safe

[Lee Lapin]

After some time and a few hundred rounds, your 11-87 might be more accepting of reduced recoil loads- it depends on a lot of variables. But for the initial use/break-in period, feed it the full power stuff. After that, try a few of the available reduced recoil loads and see how it runs. If it still hiccups with the lighter loads, stay with the full power stuff.

No need to use 3" stuff for HD, the regular loads are plenty and all the heavy stuff will do is slow your recovery for followup shots. I have yet to find a barrel that will pattern #1 buck for me to my standards for HD use (all pellets on a sheet of notebook paper at 25 yards). There are several 00 loads that meet my admittedly arbitrary standard, so I use 00 (right now, Federal LE 127-00 with the FliteControl wad).

What Bob said about clean and properly lubed is spot on...

lpl

[Forty.Five]

Thank you all for your advice, as it's been very helpful. I'll try a variety of full-power 2 3/4" 00 buck and stick with that which works best in the gun. I won't want to take a chance on the reduced-recoil ammo.

Regards,

Forty.Five