870 Wingmaster in 2.75" Only?

Kestrel · May 17, 2003, 12:08 AM

I ran across an older Wingmaster in a shop in very nice condition for $295. It is chambered in 2.75".

Should I pass on it because it won't chamber 3" magnums? What would I not be able to hunt with it?

Thanks,
Steve

sm · May 17, 2003, 12:52 AM

I've never had anything but 2 3/4 " chambers, I've never felt undergunned. Today's ammo choices offer improvements over days of yore.

If your going to hunt ducks/geese I can see to using a heavier payload...In that case I'd skip the 3" and go to the 3 1/2 ". That said I have and continue to fell ducks. one can effectively take duck, geese, deer, some use as a backup for bear I hear in some regions...basically, most anything will fall to a 2 3/4" chambered rd.

Remember its what works in YOUR gun, for the task at hand. Sometimes...just sometimes that "high brass" load of yore blew patterns...the dismissed "low brass" actually patterned better.

It doesn't matter how much lead downrange, if it doesn't hit the target with an effective pattern.

If the gun fits, has the nice wood I imagine it has...get it. Besides it will last another 50 years and in that time you'll find a great buy on a 3 1/2 " chamber down the road...

IMO

**Dave McCracken** · May 17, 2003, 09:04 AM

Except for shooting steel shot for waterfowl and turkey, all my ammo needs are met with a 2 3/4" load. And with the new improvements in non tox shot, that too may change.

If the shotgun's in excellent condition,$300 is not a ripoff price.For that,I'd want a vent rib and pretty wood, but these are minor things.

HTH....

Kestrel · May 17, 2003, 10:40 AM

The gun doesn't have a vent rib. It also doesn't have the "U" cutout on the lifter.

Can a new lifter be purchased and installed?

Thanks again,
Steve

**Dave McCracken** · May 17, 2003, 11:17 AM

Yes it can. However, with good loading technique it's not a necessity. Exception, on agency weapons poorly maintained and operated by sub standard personnel in a lackadaisical manner.

I used 870s for over 20 years before learning thiese existed, and after maybe 50K shells through various 870s, have yet to have a stoppage of the kind this protects against not deliberately induced.

**Art Eatman** · May 17, 2003, 07:27 PM

And if you want the "U" cutout, some careful work with a hacksaw, file and Dremel tool will accomplish that.

Question: Is there enough room in a 2-3/4" 870 to handle 3" shells if the chamber is reamed? Is there enough "meat" in the barrel such that the 1/4" reaming doesn't weaken it unduly?

I ask because I had an ancient Model 12 20-gauge reamed out 1/4" more and it works just fine.

Art

**Dave McCracken** · May 17, 2003, 10:20 PM

Art, I'n certainly no smith, but I asked the same question to a good'un when I was tweaking the HD 870. "H*ll NO!" was his answer.

IMO, too much risk for the possible gain. And a 2 3/4" shotgun can do SO much.

**Art Eatman** · May 18, 2003, 12:33 AM

10-4 on the 2-3/4". I once killed the world's unluckiest dove at a measured ninety (90) yards.

And with #8, of all things!

Art

sm · May 18, 2003, 12:58 AM

Art

Ok, you gotta share that recipe for #8 shot using the '06 case, c'mon...

**Art Eatman** · May 18, 2003, 10:47 PM

I have an old Model 12 12-gauge, 30" full. Well, full choke with the old paper hulls. With the modern plastic stuff, it patterns about 12" to 15" at 30 yards.

I finally got around to checking how it patterns; it does best with maximus horribilus high-brass 7-1/2 Winchester. 3-3/4 dram equivalent, 1-1/4 oz. You definitely don't want to shoot a round of trap with those! However, around Terlingua, most white wing shooting and blue quail shooting happens at 35 to 45 yards. "It all works out," so far.

The dove I mentioned was from back in the Austintatious daze of "Aw, I guess some #8s..."

Art

sm · May 19, 2003, 02:52 AM

Art,

Just messing around...just curious with your experience, and what your dad and uncle passed along...well, who knows. Necessity is the mother of invention....figure more '06 cases available than paper ones in your family.

I actually like the paper shells...bit of a pain to reload...but I 've done it. Wife " honey...what are shotshells doing in the oven?" Women...I swear!

But you proved a point, 2 3/4 " shells will work if the shooter does his part . Model 12 great gun...

makarov · May 21, 2003, 02:27 AM

Around here a fixed choke (meaning no interchangeable tubes) no vent rib Wingmaster will go for $200. I got a nice one for $179 last year. It was a fixed full choke. Nice wood, but was press checkered not cut. No vent rib. It was practically new though and shoots great. I don't hunt, just some clay pigeons. You can't shoot steel shot through a full choke so there are a few on the used market. BTW here is E. Washington State

**Art Eatman** · May 21, 2003, 09:50 AM

makarov, a good gunsmith can tell you if there's enough "meat" in that barrel to drill and tap for threaded choke tubes. Or, if you want, ream it out to a more open choke...

Art

sm · May 21, 2003, 10:12 AM

Agree,
measure, and call Briley or Nu-Line ( or both). Both do nice work.

I have used Nu-Line, on Winchester bbls. A friend had them install chokes and a vent rib on an older 870. We both went with the knurled choke. Being external --protects muzzle and the best part...no stinking wrench.

HTH

Mannlicher · May 23, 2003, 09:59 PM

Steve,

I spent my younger years hunting with a 2 3/4 inch 20ga Stevens Single shot. If I only had a nickel for every squirrel, duck or quail that little gun brought down. My first deer fell to that shotgun also, with a slug.

No, I don't think you are undergunned with a 2 3/4 inch 12ga.

May 17, 2003, 12:08 AM	#1
Kestrel Member Join Date: December 26, 2002 Posts: 2,168	870 Wingmaster in 2.75" Only? I ran across an older Wingmaster in a shop in very nice condition for $295. It is chambered in 2.75". Should I pass on it because it won't chamber 3" magnums? What would I not be able to hunt with it? Thanks, Steve

May 17, 2003, 12:52 AM	#2
sm Member Join Date: December 23, 2002 Posts: 26,501	I've never had anything but 2 3/4 " chambers, I've never felt undergunned. Today's ammo choices offer improvements over days of yore. If your going to hunt ducks/geese I can see to using a heavier payload...In that case I'd skip the 3" and go to the 3 1/2 ". That said I have and continue to fell ducks. one can effectively take duck, geese, deer, some use as a backup for bear I hear in some regions...basically, most anything will fall to a 2 3/4" chambered rd. Remember its what works in YOUR gun, for the task at hand. Sometimes...just sometimes that "high brass" load of yore blew patterns...the dismissed "low brass" actually patterned better. It doesn't matter how much lead downrange, if it doesn't hit the target with an effective pattern. If the gun fits, has the nice wood I imagine it has...get it. Besides it will last another 50 years and in that time you'll find a great buy on a 3 1/2 " chamber down the road... IMO __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL illuminaughty

May 17, 2003, 09:04 AM	#3
Dave McCracken Moderator Join Date: December 20, 2002 Location: MD. Posts: 11,711	Except for shooting steel shot for waterfowl and turkey, all my ammo needs are met with a 2 3/4" load. And with the new improvements in non tox shot, that too may change. If the shotgun's in excellent condition,$300 is not a ripoff price.For that,I'd want a vent rib and pretty wood, but these are minor things. HTH.... __________________ BA/UU/R....

May 17, 2003, 11:17 AM	#5
Dave McCracken Moderator Join Date: December 20, 2002 Location: MD. Posts: 11,711	Yes it can. However, with good loading technique it's not a necessity. Exception, on agency weapons poorly maintained and operated by sub standard personnel in a lackadaisical manner. I used 870s for over 20 years before learning thiese existed, and after maybe 50K shells through various 870s, have yet to have a stoppage of the kind this protects against not deliberately induced. __________________ BA/UU/R....

May 17, 2003, 07:27 PM	#6
Art Eatman Administrator Join Date: December 22, 2002 Location: Terlingua, Texas Posts: 23,302	And if you want the "U" cutout, some careful work with a hacksaw, file and Dremel tool will accomplish that. Question: Is there enough room in a 2-3/4" 870 to handle 3" shells if the chamber is reamed? Is there enough "meat" in the barrel such that the 1/4" reaming doesn't weaken it unduly? I ask because I had an ancient Model 12 20-gauge reamed out 1/4" more and it works just fine. Art __________________ You're from BATFE? Got your order form and Crayola? I really like your products!

May 17, 2003, 10:40 AM	#4
Kestrel Member Join Date: December 26, 2002 Posts: 2,168	The gun doesn't have a vent rib. It also doesn't have the "U" cutout on the lifter. Can a new lifter be purchased and installed? Thanks again, Steve

May 17, 2003, 10:20 PM	#7
Dave McCracken Moderator Join Date: December 20, 2002 Location: MD. Posts: 11,711	Art, I'n certainly no smith, but I asked the same question to a good'un when I was tweaking the HD 870. "H*ll NO!" was his answer. IMO, too much risk for the possible gain. And a 2 3/4" shotgun can do SO much. __________________ BA/UU/R....

May 18, 2003, 12:33 AM	#8
Art Eatman Administrator Join Date: December 22, 2002 Location: Terlingua, Texas Posts: 23,302	10-4 on the 2-3/4". I once killed the world's unluckiest dove at a measured ninety (90) yards. And with #8, of all things! Art __________________ You're from BATFE? Got your order form and Crayola? I really like your products!

May 18, 2003, 12:58 AM	#9
sm Member Join Date: December 23, 2002 Posts: 26,501	Art Ok, you gotta share that recipe for #8 shot using the '06 case, c'mon... __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL illuminaughty

May 18, 2003, 10:47 PM	#10
Art Eatman Administrator Join Date: December 22, 2002 Location: Terlingua, Texas Posts: 23,302	I have an old Model 12 12-gauge, 30" full. Well, full choke with the old paper hulls. With the modern plastic stuff, it patterns about 12" to 15" at 30 yards. I finally got around to checking how it patterns; it does best with maximus horribilus high-brass 7-1/2 Winchester. 3-3/4 dram equivalent, 1-1/4 oz. You definitely don't want to shoot a round of trap with those! However, around Terlingua, most white wing shooting and blue quail shooting happens at 35 to 45 yards. "It all works out," so far. The dove I mentioned was from back in the Austintatious daze of "Aw, I guess some #8s..." Art __________________ You're from BATFE? Got your order form and Crayola? I really like your products!

May 19, 2003, 02:52 AM	#11
sm Member Join Date: December 23, 2002 Posts: 26,501	Art, Just messing around...just curious with your experience, and what your dad and uncle passed along...well, who knows. Necessity is the mother of invention....figure more '06 cases available than paper ones in your family. I actually like the paper shells...bit of a pain to reload...but I 've done it. Wife " honey...what are shotshells doing in the oven?" Women...I swear! But you proved a point, 2 3/4 " shells will work if the shooter does his part . Model 12 great gun... __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL illuminaughty

May 21, 2003, 02:27 AM	#12
makarov Member Join Date: December 26, 2002 Posts: 336	Around here a fixed choke (meaning no interchangeable tubes) no vent rib Wingmaster will go for $200. I got a nice one for $179 last year. It was a fixed full choke. Nice wood, but was press checkered not cut. No vent rib. It was practically new though and shoots great. I don't hunt, just some clay pigeons. You can't shoot steel shot through a full choke so there are a few on the used market. BTW here is E. Washington State

May 21, 2003, 09:50 AM	#13
Art Eatman Administrator Join Date: December 22, 2002 Location: Terlingua, Texas Posts: 23,302	makarov, a good gunsmith can tell you if there's enough "meat" in that barrel to drill and tap for threaded choke tubes. Or, if you want, ream it out to a more open choke... Art __________________ You're from BATFE? Got your order form and Crayola? I really like your products!

May 21, 2003, 10:12 AM	#14
sm Member Join Date: December 23, 2002 Posts: 26,501	Agree, measure, and call Briley or Nu-Line ( or both). Both do nice work. I have used Nu-Line, on Winchester bbls. A friend had them install chokes and a vent rib on an older 870. We both went with the knurled choke. Being external --protects muzzle and the best part...no stinking wrench. HTH __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL illuminaughty

May 23, 2003, 09:59 PM	#15
Mannlicher Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 3,428	Steve, I spent my younger years hunting with a 2 3/4 inch 20ga Stevens Single shot. If I only had a nickel for every squirrel, duck or quail that little gun brought down. My first deer fell to that shotgun also, with a slug. No, I don't think you are undergunned with a 2 3/4 inch 12ga. __________________ no Signature line

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