I picked up a very lightly used 11-87 for Xmas. It is an older one, 12 ga, full camo, 21 inch vent rib barrel. It says on the barrel not intended for light loads. I tested it with 2 3/4 inch slugs (imp cyl tube), buckshot, and high base 6's (2 3/4, 3 3/4 dram, 1 1/4 oz). All functioned fine. I then tried a standard trap load 2 3/4, 2 3/4 dram, 1 1/8 shot. This would not function the gun.
So I realize this is basically a turkey gun and the reason I actually bought it but I would like to get some informal practice with it on the skeet range and would prefer to shoot lighter shells.
So I have 3 questions/maybe options:
1. Does anyone have one of these and what is the lightest shell yours will handle? Someone suggested I find some 3 dram 1 1/8 oz loads.

2. I saw a 18 1/2 inch barrel for an 11-87 at about 140.00. I found a review that said the user shot Rem Gun Club through it and it worked. Does anyone have one of these barrels?

3. I can have the gas ports opened up. I don't think modifying the gun is the best option and probably will just stay with high base rather than that. Thoughts?

Welcome to the Remington Owners Forum !!

Yup...basically a turkey gun that likes high brass. You already figured out the answer...(#3)

Just find good used 26" or 28" camo barrel. And you can shoot clays or doves with it.

Assuming you have a field model designed 11-87 barrel and not one with an uncompensated barrel - Get an oversized O ring to go between the piston and the original O ring. Either 1/8" or 5/64" thick if I remember right. You want to block the flow of gasses to the relief ports. Will work just like BARREL SEAL ACTIVATOR used in the SuperMag and 20 gauge versions of the 11-87. Don't forget to remove it before shooting heavy loads.
Note: The 11-87 was designed to function with all loads from 3" Magnums down to 1-1/8 ounce field loads. Some will run less, but many need the O ring help for lighter loads. An 11-97 already has gracious plenty big gas ports - larger than an 1100 Skeet barrel - so you just need to make sure you are using those gasses and not bleeding them off. You might also check yo make sure your GAS CYLINDER SPRING Part #93498 is not sprung. They are very hard to remove and replace without over springing them.
If you do not have an owner's manual, download one here : http://www.remington.com
If you have an uncompensated barrel, I would advise buying another longer regular 11-87 barrel.