[zinj]

So I have a 20 gauge 870 Express, and I want to pick up a slug barrel for it to use deer hunting. I see that Cabelas has a barrel that would fit my needs, at a price I can agree with:

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0005760212137a&navCount=2&podId=0005760&parentId=cat20805&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat602007-cat20805_TGP&catalogCode=XG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20805&hasJS=true
(The one listed as 20"-21" with an improved cylinder choke and rifle sights)

However, apparently light weight 870 barrels will not fit a standard 870 reciever. Would this effect the ability to put said barrel on my Express?

[Dave McCracken]

They're talking about frame sizes,zinj.

Originally the 16 and 20 gauge 870s were made on the same frame as the 12. Later, a Light Weight frame was made for the 20 and now is also used for the 28 gauge and 410 bore.

All 20 gauge Expresses are on the LW frame.

The one here has a rifle sighted, IC choked barrel that works well, though recoil with Rottweil Brenekkes is stout.

HTH....

[zinj]

Ah, thanks for the clarification. I remembered the 20 gauge 1100s had those three frame variations, but didn't know if it was the same situation with the 870. Remington calling the thinner barrel on the Wingmaster a "Light Contour" certainly didn't help.

Actually looking at the Remington site, the barrel appears to be a blued variant for a Wingmaster. Funny that the "cheap" Express barrel is actually more expensive! Of course that is probably from having rifling cut. Won't match my Express cosmetically, but aren't two-tone "tactical" finishes all the rage on pistols now?

Remington barrel prices on the Express have always seemed really high to me. I bought the gun for $250, and when I was last looking at barrels I would have paid $200. Is the barrel really 4/5ths of the gun's cost?

I'd like to use some Brenneke's through this gun, but I haven't seen 20 gauge ones in any of the shops.

Also, what is with all of the "High Velocity" foster slugs in 20 gauge? It seems like 80% or more of the fosters I am seeing on the shelves are 1/2 or 5/8 ounce deals.

Since it seems you have experience, have you used a 3/4 oz foster on deer? Does it hold together well enough for a clean kill?

[Dave McCracken]

No 3/4 oz,zinj, but I have used 7/8 oz slugs in both 12 and 20 gauge to good effect. On broadside shots they tend to stay in the deer. 1 oz and up usually exit.

I'd be reluctant to use less than 7/8 oz. Sometimes one has to penetrate a couple feet of deer.

Remington charges what they do for barrels because they can.

My deer 870 is a WM, has an Express barrel and no deer has commented on the two tone finish unfavorably.

[zinj]

I think I will have to look for the Brennekes then. I just went to the Big 3's sites and the heaviest fosters they are producing in 20 gauge are 3/4 oz. Guess i can use the cheap stuff for practice, and try to find some Brennekes (if they group well) to use for the real thing.