You will need a good gunsmith. The information you seek is not readily available in published material.
You don't, you use the barrel code. If you don't have the original barrel you can try calling Remington.
By the serial number and markings on the barrel.
Check the date stamp on the barrel. The table look and details are on the manufactured date link of the Remington Society of America.
I'm not sure, but I think the sportsman has a different barrel configuration. They might be compatible, i say about a 1 in 4 chance of it working. I've never looked at a sportsman pumps barrel, but I've noticed how different model 870 barrels arent always compatible. if the years of the barrel and sportsman are very far apart, you can lessen the chances of compatibility. i suggest you email the Remington website and try to get a professional opinion from them. I'm not sure, but I think the sportsman has a different barrel configuration. They might be compatible, i say about a 1 in 4 chance of it working. I've never looked at a sportsman pumps barrel, but I've noticed how different model 870 barrels arent always compatible. if the years of the barrel and sportsman are very far apart, you can lessen the chances of compatibility. i suggest you email the Remington website and try to get a professional opinion from them. I'm not sure, but I think the sportsman has a different barrel configuration. They might be compatible, i say about a 1 in 4 chance of it working. I've never looked at a sportsman pumps barrel, but I've noticed how different model 870 barrels arent always compatible. if the years of the barrel and sportsman are very far apart, you can lessen the chances of compatibility. i suggest you email the Remington website and try to get a professional opinion from them. IT WILL WORK PERFECTLY. BAD INFO. GIVEN ABOVE!
Yes both the 11-48 and the sportsman 11-48 are the same gun. The only difference is the sportsman came standard with a plug to limit capacity to 2+1 to comply with hunting laws.
I just bought one in great shape with one barrel for $250
They made them from 1948 to 1968, they are date code stamped on the barrel. Check the Remington Society of America for diagram/code table.
Date code stamped on left side of barrel, go to Remington Society of America for diagram and chart.
Sure. A Sportsman 78 is just an ugly 700 with a cheaper trigger. Any 700 part can be used on it.
Check the barrel codes, the chart is on the Remington Society of America. http://remingtonsociety.com/rsa/questions/barrelcodes
Check the date stamp on the barrel. The table look and details are on the manufactured date link of the Remington Society of America.
It's date code stamped on the left side of the barrel in front of the receiver, check the Remington Society of America for location diagram and chart.