18.5 vs. 20" 870 barrels

[P.B.Walsh]

I'm looking in to buying a new shotgun for deer and HD, and I'm wanting to know if a 18.5" barrel would be good for deer at 100 yards, or should I just go with a 20" barrel.

Does the 1.5" inches matter that much for 100 yards for accuacy?


Thank you

 

[RatDrall]

There should be no difference shooting slugs, but you'll still have to mess around and find a load that the specific barrel likes.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Ok, what about OO or OOO buckshot?

 

[mgkdrgn]

Ok, what about OO or OOO buckshot?

It won't much care at all. A buckshot kill on a deer at 100 yards though strikes me as kinda iffy, I'd rather be slingin slugs.

 

[Badger Arms]

18.5" and 20" are different only with regard to extended magazine capacity... 1 extra round for Remington and Mossberg, Winchesters, due to their locking mechanism, don't gain an extra round going just to 20".

Buckshot is good out to about 40 yards against man/deer sized targets and a modified choke. Since you're probably dealing with cylinder bore, I think you can get reliable kill shots out to 25-30 yards. Hits at 100 yards are iffy. With slugs in a smooth bore, yes. With a rifled choke or fully rifled, maybe 150-200 yards.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I will be putting a S&J Hardware bayonet attachment on the 870 (not for deer, but for fun), a AR15/870 CQB MkII rail on the top (for sights and because IMHO it looks nice), and a AR15 buttstock.

But for deer, I'll be using just slugs.

Thanks

 

[P.B.Walsh]

The 18.5" is cheaper than the 20", so that's why I'm asking if anyone wants to know.

 

[the foot]

The barrel lengths between those won't make a difference, I think. However, I would hesitate on using buckshot out to 100 yards.

 

[DBR]

I don't think you can get a 18.5" barrel with interchangeable chokes if that matters.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I will not be using buckshot on deer!!!! Only slugs, sorry if I misinformed everybody, I was asking if buckshot would be affected AT no more than 30 yards from a 18.5"-20" barrel.

Thanks

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I belive Buckshot would ruin to much meat, unless I hit the deers neck. I'm not worried about changing chokes, if I need more accuacy, then I'll pick up a fully rifled barrel.

Thanks again.