[john l]

At 20 yards my 870 patterns buckshot to the right side of the target. (An IDPA target) using 000 Fed tactical buck and the slugs pattern off center about 4 inches.
not a big deal. It has bead sights, that's it. knowing this, I can compensate and I do fine.
Are there remedies?
I don't really get my knickers in a knot, but I am for any solutions to be had.

thanks,
john l

[DML]

I have seen this on several 870s. Some can be fixed just by trying another barrel. I have tested barrels that shot 8" apart on the same gun.

On a few 870s, the magazine tube was not installed straight. There are 2 fixes. You could send the gun back to Remington (recommended) or try to bend the magazine tube a little bit. (NOT recommended)

4" isn't too bad. You might just try a different brand of shells and see what happens. Shotguns often prefer one brand over another. If you are using S&B, I would definately try something else.

[labgrade]

Quick assumption, if you're a right-hand shooter, is that you aren't getting your cheek up against the stock. A righthand shooter will throw their shots "wild" to the right.

There IS a "scared-ness" of the recoil. Many times, these "booster bullets" can cause a scare & sometime they DO/can hurt.

Try a very deliberate cheek-weld & do a vey deliberate squeeze of the trigger - from sand bags - a very solid rest.

First hing, I'd bet it isn't the gun .....

Eliminate you first & then take a lok at the gun.

[Correia]

labgrade, I know JohnL pretty good, and we have shot in many matches together. I can flat out state that he is one of the best shooters that I have ever shot with/against, and he is one of the top 3 gunners in this state. I've watched him shoot this shotgun and many others and I can tell you for certain it isn't his technique.

[HSMITH]

4" at 20 yards is a MILE!!!!!!!!! At 100 yards you will be off the map. Send it back.

[labgrade]

Correia,

Re your last input.

Who knew? & I'll certainly defer here.

In many an instance, a problem can be attributed to the person rather than the firearm & it's always best to alleviate the more simple "fault."

Throwing out a possiblility is all.

No offense meant, nor taken.

[Correia]

Labgrade, no offense taken or meant. I just figured I would clear that up is all. John kicks my butt on a regular basis.

John, I have an idea. Next time we go shooting, I'll lend you my 870 barrel and we can see if it still does it. In fact I can put your barrel on my gun and see if it still shoots left.

[CWL]

What about daubing ~ 3/4 of the right side of the bead with orange paint? This'll give you quick sight aquisition a little bit off center from the head of the bead and might compensate for it shooting right.

[Dave McCracken]

First,as mentioned, stick that barrel on another 870 and see if it's still doing it.

Second, try different ammo.

It doesn't take much pressure to bend a shotgun barrel. After all it's just a thin metal tube. My guess is this one has a kink. If so, trade it off to someone you don't like and get another.