[hornpiper]

I've inheritedfrom my brother a Remington 870 12 ga. 28 in. mod barrel. Bought new in the late 60's. It came with the that barrel labeled for 2 3/4 in shells. I want to use it for turkey hunting so I bought a used 30 inch full choke barrel. This new barrel is labeled for 3 in. shells. Is there any reason I can't use 3 in. shells in this gun, at least as a single shot for turkeys? Obviously the chamber is strong enough, but are there any issues with the bolt strength or action?

[ArmedBear]

Yes.

The gun won't work with them unless it's a 3" gun (I think you can convert it with some parts, but as-is, it won't work).

Does the receiver say 870 Wingmaster Magnum on it? Does the serial number end in M?

(All of that said, a 2 3/4" shell will work fine with the new barrel.)

[throdgrain]

I don't know what the official answer is, but from experience I can tell you I have a '76 Wingmaster made for 2 3/4" shells with a modern 3" shell barrel, and I've used 3" shells a lot no worries.

[Fred Fuller]

Shouldn't be any issues with the strength of the bolt lockup etc., but if you need a quick followup shot you might have problems getting the empty hull to clear the ejection port.

The only mechanical difference between the V marked (2 3/4") 870 receiver and the M (3" or Magnum) receiver is the location of the ejector. In some series of 870s all of them have ejectors set up for 3" hulls, a certain number have been refitted for 3" ejectors during a refurbish as well.

Try a round and see if the fired hull clears the ejection port easily when you run the bolt. You need to pattern the new barrel anyway... and if it doesn't work, I'd stick to 2 3/4" shells.

FWIW, JMHO, YMMV etc.

lpl

[Virginian]

If you have difficulty ejecting 3" hulls, and you want to upgrade, you can replace the ejector spring with a magnum model without having to replace the rivets and refinishing the receiver, if you are careful and know what you are doing. You will also need to move the 'step' on the ejector back 1/4" with a Dremel grinder.

[rcmodel]

Better yet, use 2 3/4" Mag shells.

They will kill any turkey made just as dead, just as far as a 3" load.

Matter of fact, so will a 1 1/8 oz AA trap load if you put the shot charge in the head & neck.

IMO: There is a huge industry built around the marketing lie a turkey hunter needs a specialized gun and anti-aircraft battery loads to kill them.
Just ain't so.

rc

[Virginian]

While I agree about the marketing for the specialized gun and all the equipment supposedly required, I do think it is of note that all the turkey shoot/card shooting championships that allow competitors to shoot whatever they desire, are dominated by 3" loads. While a square charge may be more efficient, a lot more pellets downrage is more effective.

[JohnBT]

You can kill full grown turkeys with a 20 ga. and #4, 5 or 6 shot and probably many other combinations. Turkey shoots have nothing at all to do with turkey hunting. Wrong guns, wrong ammo, wrong distance.

Turkey shoot shells use a lot of #9 and #10 shot and used to use some #11 and #12.

www.turkeyshoot.net/rules.htm

"12 GA. *Outlaw Shotguns
Usually 36" barrel length limit, scopes allowed.
2-2-10 shells (never use these shells in a choke with cutters!). 56' - 58' from trigger line to target"


www.easterngun.com/ammo.html

"2-2-10 refers to the specifications of the shotgun shell. The first 2 stands for 2 grams equivalent of powder. The next 2 stands for the amount of shot, which in this case is 2 ounces. Finally, the 10 stands for the size of the shot. In essence, the name of the shell is nothing more than the specifications of the shotgun shell."

Match ammo, made in Virginia

"Currently, we manufacture 3 types of 12 gauge shotgun shells. The shotgun shells are made and loaded from carefully selected materials and are primed with popular non-mercuric, non-corrosive primers. They are loaded on automatic loading machines to ensure uniformity of load and performance. Additionally, we frequently test, and re-test the shells in various guns and barrels to obtain the most consistent patterns."


Skeet-9 - CURRENT HULL COLOR IS GREEN
$8.75 Per Box
This is our newest shell. It is designed for the serious 9 shooter. The shells will shoot on the old style 9 gun as well as the new ones. Velocity is around 1150 PFS at muzzle. Plastic hull. 3 piece wad column. 1 1/8oz shot.


2-2-10 Shotgun Shells - CURRENT HULL COLOR IS RED
$9.50 Per Box
Simply put, this shell is designed for "blowing holes".



Match-10 Shotgun Shells - CURRENT HULL COLOR IS RED
$7.85 Per Box
This shell is designed for shooters seeking a denser pattern.

[oneounceload]

While a square charge may be more efficient, a lot more pellets downrage is more effective.

Not necessarily - not if the larger load winds up giving you a blown pattern - then it is actually LESS effective. You need to pattern whatever load you're going to use to see where it patterns and how it patterns