870 and 3 gun

[txgunsuscg]

I'm running a Remington 870 with an 18 1/2" barrel in 3 gun. After my last match, it was suggested that I get a choke to tighten up my groups for some of the more challenging steel. I don't believe my barrel accepts chokes, I think it's a fixed.

1) Does Remington make a factory replacement that I can drop in that will accept chokes? This one looks like it would work.

2) What choke should I use? I usually shoot the cheapest birdshot the gun store has on the shelves in 2 3/4.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[allaroundhunter]

1. Yes, that is the style barrel that accepts choke tubes that you want (but I would look for a 21"-24" barrel).

2. You want either modified or light modified.

 

[peacemaker45]

You could probably also have your existing barrel threaded. Not that 870 barrels are exactly expensive.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[GI_Jared]

I had the exact same problem in my first 3 gun match. You just need to purchase a bird barrel around 26 inches, which is also nice because you can add an extension tube to hold 9 rounds.

This is the best deal on Midway, and it comes with a mod choke
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/842042/carlsons-barrel-remington-870-express-12-gauge-3-26-rem-choke-red-fiber-optic-sight

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Depending on how many rounds you shoot per year for this, the Federal Flight Control ammo provides much tighter groups versus similar ammo without he need for any shotgun modifications. I don't know the premium per round for this ammo that you pay.

 

[gotigers]

My first 3 gun shotgun was a 18-1/2" cylinder bore. I had Steve at Rose Action Sports in KY thread it. I don't remember the exact price, but it was less than $100 at the time and i got it back in 5 days from the day i shipped it.

That is one option, i would probably get a second barrel with chokes. Keep th 18-1/2" for home use and the 21" or 24" for 3 gun. I like a 24" barrel with a 8 or 9 +1 tube.

For chokes i like an improved cylinder. Still knocks down plates at 30 yards. I keep a modified choke around for longer shots. Tighter chokes might be an issue with slugs. Looser might not knock plates down past 15 yards.

 

[allaroundhunter]

IC has some serious problems knocking down any plates/poppers past 15 yards, no way I would recommend it unless someone is only shooting clays in a match... The best choke you can have for 3 gun is a light modified.

IC really shows weakness when shooting a bigger match and plates/poppers are calibrated to 9mm and the shooter has a choice of whether to shoot it with pistol or shotgun. If you choose shotgun then you better have more than IC or you may have some issues knocking down those targets.

 

[3GunEric]

Here is the deal! I bought a Mossberg 930 SPX for 3 Gun. Shot spread too much or I couldn't hit steel w/ enough force to knock it down. After a ton of research sent barrel to:

http://http://roseactionsports.com/Shotgun_Services.html

Service Included:
A) Install 12 and 20 gauge screw-in choke tube system
B) Lengthen 12 gauge forcing cone

Problem solved! Inexpensive & fast!
Quality work!

 

[gotigers]

I have used IC for 3 gun for almost 2 years and no issues out to 25 yards. That is why i carry mod for stages with longer shots. Certainly past 30 yards, modified is the way to go. Just know the distances before you start the course of fire. Most of the 3 gunners i shoot with use IC.

Cylinder bore will have serious issues knocking down any plates.

 

[Dr.Rob]

So wait.. no one runs slugs in 3 gun? I have always used a rifled choke tube in my Remington 21 inch deer barrel for 'informal' matches and we ALWAYS mix slugs and shot in stages.

In fact the 'slug select' is a standard drill.

Or are you guys shooting slugs through a choke tube?

 

[allaroundhunter]

So wait.. no one runs slugs in 3 gun? I have always used a rifled choke tube in my Remington 21 inch deer barrel for 'informal' matches and we ALWAYS mix slugs and shot in stages.

In fact the 'slug select is a standard drill.

Or are you guys shooting slugs through a choke tube?

Just run a rifled slug through a choke that is modified or less constricting. They never make you take 100+ yard slug shots in 3 gun competition so a rifled choke (or barrel for that matter) are completely unnecessary. And rifled slugs are made to be shot out of smooth bore shotguns anyways.

Even 100 yard slug shots are possible with a non-rifled choke and a rifled slug, you just have to pattern your gun beforehand to see where it shoots.

 

[gotigers]

Slugs 30 ot 100 yards in some fashion at every match. I shoot rifled slugs thru mod and IC without issue.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Color me crazy but I always got GREAT accuracy with a rifled choke tube + rifled slugs.

 

[txgunsuscg]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm working up a shopping list. So the next question becomes, can I put an 870 barrel on my 870 Express?

 

[olyeller]

in my neck of the woods, its not unheard of to have slug shots at full size ipsc steel at 80-120 yds. This is at our local matches and bigger ones.
A 20-28" vr barrel, good trigger press and rifled slug is all you need.

 

[fireloo]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm working up a shopping list. So the next question becomes, can I put an 870 barrel on my 870 Express?

Yes. All 870 barrels are interchangeable

 

[btg3]

All 870 barrels are interchangeable

They'll fit, but there are a few details such as magnum compatibility and how to deal with the mag tube cap depending on which barrel you have.

 

[chrome_austex]

I like the 21" vent rib remchoke barrel for 3-gun. Lots of nice fiber optic beads for vent ribs and the 21" barrel will match a 8x shot Nordic extended mag tube.

Like everyone else is saying, mod is a good choice for slightly longer shots. I usually bring an IC and a Full just in case, and will shoot 1pz rifled slugs theough the IC (preferred) or the Mod chokes with excellent accuracy.

 

[Griff093]

So another question on slugs and 870s. I'm wanting to get started, but the local place (150 miles away!), also shoots slugs mixed with shot... I have a 26" 'SKEET' barrel on my 870. I emailed customer service at Remington, but never received an answer. Does anyone know where "Skeet" falls between the other chokes?

 

[Jon_Snow]

Skeet chokes are pretty open, I think slightly tighter than an Imp Cyl, but certainly more open than Mod. You should be fine shooting slugs through a Skeet choke.

 

[1KPerDay]

standard foster type "rifled" slugs will be fine through a skeet choke. The angular "riflings" on the slugs don't impart any spin at all, but are angled to allow the lead to swage down when shooting them through tight chokes.

The skeet choke may not be tight enough for your 3-gun stuff, though. Some clubs run longer shots on steel plates and they need a solid hit to knock them off their stakes. My club generally keeps them reasonably close... only a couple of times have I had to hit a plate more than once with an open choke to knock it over with birdshot. But YMMV.

Most "serious" guys run modified chokes from what I've seen.

FYI
http://www.hallowellco.com/choke_chart.htm

 

[MattShlock]

Match your choke to your distance. If fair the popper should react to 70-75% of the shot in a 30" circle in its position down the field... Modified is optimal at 30 Meters. Good for less distance if you are more accurate. Good for slugs but the tightest you'll want to go.

This is Modified.