General use hunting shotgun (870)

[coltjeeper]

I'm planning on getting a new Remington 870 soon, I've had two others in the past but none now. I want to use it for different types of hunting....mostly birds, squirrel/rabbit, and turkey. And maybe informal clay pigeon shooting and bedside protection.

After looking at Remingtons site and brochure, I'm thinking of getting the 12 gauge SPS Super Magnum or SPS-T in Mossy Oak. Both of these are 3.5" capable, which isn't really necessary for me. But they are about the only models of 870 that you can get in Mossy Oak, which I know I want. The SPS is labeled by Remington as a "waterfowl" shotgun with 26" or 28" barrels and the SPS-T is labeled as a "turkey" shotgun with 20" or 23" barrels. Of course the chokes are different.

I guess what I really want to know is if there is really much of a difference between the two besides barrel lengths and chokes that would preclude me from using them for the multipurpose use I want to use it for?


Please excuse my ignorance when it comes to shotguns. I'm not too familiar with all the differences in chokes and barrel lengths for different purposes other than "tactical" shotguns.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The 101 series in the Archives may give you some answers about chokes.

There's no "Best" barrel length for all around use. Probably the most versatile would be the 23".

 

[Al Thompson]

The Turky models are almost always the best for multi purpose SGs.

BA/UU/R

 

[rugerfreak]

Get the 23'' and then buy all the chokes they didn't supply with the gun and you'll be all set.

 

[Rupestris]

I use the 870 Express Magnum (2 3/4 & 3") with a 26" barrel for my all-around SG. The 26" hasn't been a hindrance yet. I bought the gun for deer and turkey. The 3" #5's for turkey have worked fine so far. I'll be switching to an Ameristep type blind this spring so the added length might even help get the muzzle out the "window" a bit.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Depends. If your gonna be hunting ducks and geese I would stick with the longer barrel. That plus the longer sight line might help in your aim.

The 23" barrel will be fine for upland game and tree rats as well as bunnies.

I have a 28" barrel Winchester 1400 that I love and now an 835 with a 24" barrel. It also can shoot 3 1/2" shells. I have taken it out to shoot clays
(2 3/4" shells) and it did a great job as long as I did my part. Hit some clays at 40 + yards with it.

Just plugged the cylinder on the 835 to accomodate the Arizona hunting laws and am going to take it out Quail hunting Sat morning using 2 3/4" shells. Will let everyone know how it does.

As for chokes, I use a modified choke when bird hunting. Will be using full when I go duck hunting and extra full for turkey. Just make sure if your going duck hunting the choke is rated for steel shot.