870 Options

[musky hunter]

i need a shotgun for the summer. I have decided on a 870 in 12 gauge. What model should i get? Express, Express Super Magnum, Wingmaster. What length barrel, choke? i will be using for informal skeet shooting and some fun at my buddies. We will be shooting water buckets and targets. I has to be able to used for hunting also. How are the 870 Combos?

 

[SDC]

It really depends on what you forsee using it for; if you're a hunter who sees himself hunting Canada geese sometime in the future, you might want to lean toward the Express or Super Magnum (3 1/2" chambers). For just target-shooting or upland game hunting, you can't go wrong with the Wingmaster. For a bit of extra versatility, you might want to go with an interchangeable-choke version, or the Combo pack (rifle sighted and vent rib barrels). The only one who knows what you want to use it for, how often you'll want to use it, and how much you'll be willing to pay is you.

 

[musky hunter]

i will be using it for target shooting all summmer. few hundred rounds a month. Here are the options. Please help me choose. Can i get new chokes for all the barrels?

There are 3 combo shotguns available.

1. 870 Express Super Magnum Combo (3 1/2"). 26" VR Rem Choke and 20" Rifled barrel. $682

2. 870 Express Combo. 28" VR Rem Choke and 20" rifle sighted improve cyl choke. $580

3. 870 express Fully Rifled Combo. 26" VR rem Choke and 20" fully rifled barrel. $628


Which one is the best all around combo. Or do i even need a combo. Prices are all Canadian.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I have some trouble with the idea of a summer shotgun. Shotgunning's a year round affair.To some of us it's more like a lifestyle.

And 870s last longer than Stonehenge.

#2 is the best choice. A tyro doesn't need 3.5" capability, unless your idea of plinking at tin cans involves a 375 H&H Mag. A 3" waterfowl load will do the job nicely if you do yours. And that smoothbore RS barrel will do for "Serious" work like HD. It'll work for deer sized game with slugs also. Add a couple choke tubes like IC and Full and you're covering all the bases.

HTH....

 

[Smoke]

Gotta go with Dave again on this one. (I guess he does know what he's talking about )

Combos are a good deal. Price sounds a little high but I don't keep up with foreign currency exchange rates.

You can't possibly go with a good 870, VR for birds, Short barrel for fun & HD.

 

[musky hunter]

will the fully rifled barrels be more accurate? What is the purpose of this barrel if the smooth bore IC choke will work with buckshot.

 

[SDC]

Is the "rifled" combo barrel ACTUALLY rifled, or is it a smoothbore with rifle sights? You can get them both ways. If the barrel is actually rifled, it was designed for shooting shotgun slugs, but a smoothbore with rifle sights can shoot slugs or shot.

 

[musky hunter]

There are 2 versions. One has the rifle sights and rifled bore and the other is rifle sights and smooth bore IC choke. The price is around $50 difference.

 

[SDC]

In that case, unless you want to hunt with slugs, the rifled barrel would be useless to you. So far, I think you'd be best served with your option #2. HTH.

 

[riverdog]

#2 all the way. The 20" barrel is a smooth bore with rifle sights. 28" VR RC is good for lots of things. Hunting, shooting Trap, etc. The receiver is a 3" magnum and will do everything a 12ga should. 3.5" is not practical IMO.

 

[ChristopherG]

#2 or something like it--you could build a combo. I got a police gun with a 20" smoothbore IC barrel for $340, then bought a beautiful 28" blued Ventrib barrel with choke tubes from someone on TFL (you could do it here, I'm sure, with patience) for $100. The police gun is parkerized, which is a bit more corrosion-resistent than the express, and has nicer (IMHO) walnut stocks. And maybe a little higher QC. Just another option to consider--I love mine.
CG

Edited to say: Oops, I was giving American dollars. I thought your prices were a bit outlandish, but didn't pay sufficient attention--sorry.

 

[musky hunter]

i think option 2 is what i am going to get. a 3" chamber with a 28" barrel should be good enough for geese.

Also. does a 3" chamber mean it will take 3" shotshells as well as 3" Magnum shotshels. Will it take 2 3/4 magnum Shot shells?

 

[Dave McCracken]

3" shells are 3" magnums. A 3" chamber on a receiver with M(For magnum) as the last thing in the serial number will work with 3 and 2 3/4" shells, but not the 3.5" ones.

Using a shell longer than the chamber is bored for is neither safe nor fun.

Get #2 and BA/UU/R. You'll have lots of fun...