[abrink]

The used 870 i bought came with an extended choke tube of an unknown choke. It says REMINGTON EXT PORTED LEAD SHOT ONLY on the side of the tube. I measured the diameter and it's tighter than full choke. Pretty much all buckshot is lead right? So this choke tube is for buckshot?

I plan on patterning my shotgun with improved cylinder, full, and the unknown choke tube. Whichever has the tightest patterns I'll go with.

Also the gun i bought came without a finish on it. The owner before me obviously did it as i don't think the gunshop would have done this. There is some rust but not enough that a little scratching off wouldn't take care of. Is it a necessity to refinish the gun? Should i spray paint it or what?

What will happen if i don't refinish it? Thanks.

[rantingredneck]

That extended ported tube is likely an XFull or XXFull turkey choke. You can shoot lead buckshot through them. You may or may not get better patterns than with a full choke. It is possible to over choke with buckshot and get blown patterns.

As to finishing your gun. If it's truly "in the white" then yes I'd finish it somehow. You can try cold bluing it yourself. Results will likely not be great. You can do the DIY Krylon job. Or you can get one of the more professional, and expensive, spray on kits from midway/brownell's/etc.

[DRYHUMOR]

Try to choose the choke to match what type of cover you will hunt in.

Pattern it first though, you may find one choke works best all the way out to 50-60 yds.

Some times I use the modified, most times the full.

I use a 10 ga however. :D

[abrink]

Would spray painting provide at least a rust resistant coating?

[DRYHUMOR]

My duck/goose/deer shotgun is both spray painted and painted with model paint. It's pretty durable. If it wears, I just add more. And I can control the colors and pattern.

If you do paint it, I would use an oil based paint.

Paint would help with preventing rust, but it isn't a catch all.

Always keep your action oiled, a light coat of oil inside the barrel, etc. If you get caught in the rain, fully disassemble, clean, dry, and re oil.

Rust is a form of oxidation, it's best to try and prevent it alltogether.

[abrink]

Thanks DRYHUMOR. And one more question for anyone who knows. Is it that much harder to hit a deer with a slug than it is with buckshot? Is a 2 3/4" shell with a 1oz. projectile enough to effectively kill a deer or should i get some 3" shells?

Thanks

[DRYHUMOR]

I've never used a slug, down here we take stands and either man drive or use dogs. Sometimes just still hunt.

Sometimes the deer are really haulin, sometimes they are sneaking.

Buckshots a bit more forgiving, multiple pellets rather than one slug. Good for heavy cover. I've shot running deer at 10 feet away, can't imagine trying to do that with a slug.

I would imagine on non running deer, a slug would be pretty effective, there are a lot of states that only allow slugs. And, there are a lot of deer killed in those states.

[ImARugerFan]

Hunting deer is legal with buckshot in your region? I've never heard of this. I'd use slugs regardless. It is not difficult to hit one with a slug, and you'll be able to shoot up to 100 yards.