How far is a safe shot with a Remington 870 12ga with Foster slugs?

[9x56MS]

I just picked up a scope mount that mounts where the trigger pins holes are and picked up a used shotgun slug scope. That should help me out with further distance and more accuracy than just using the front bead sight.

Now your digging where there’s taters. That alone should get you 50 more yards. Now before you start buy 4 or 5 boxes of different brands of slugs. Shoot 3 of each with no adjustment of scope. Whichever shoots the smallest group go buy more of that brand. Now adjust your scope to point of aim and you are ready to make meat.

 

[Dinosaur1]

I once knew a family that had a J.C. Higgins bolt action 16 gauge with a modified choke. It shot like a rifle. A good rifle. We were in a group doing a drive and there was a newbie carrying the 16. We jumped deer that were waaay out of range even for the rifles. As they ran away the newb up an takes a shot and drops a doe in her tracks. My Uncle stood for a second looking at that and said, “Hell, that slug musta’ bounced once.” Miss that group.

 

[DustyGmt]

Why would somebody recommend Cyl over IC? Not trying to hijack the thread, but according to these guys:

I would recommend using a cylinder bore or if you can't buy one go with the improved cylinder you have.

Cylinder is what you want to shoot

Is Improved Cylinder (IC) not slightly superior than an open Cyl (no constriction) in terms of giving you a slight edge in range/accuracy? Open Cyl bores are generally found on defensive shotguns used for close combat, close hunting, etc...

 

[DustyGmt]

I guess its time for me to take out my 870 with 20" IC bbl and see how that stacks up against my Cyl in terms of range and accuracy, although I might not get concrete results because my IC bbl has adjustable rifle sights and is 1.5" longer than my 18.5" bbl with single bead. The IC bbl is new, never shot it, but I just thought it would extend my range with a slug a good ways....

 

[guyfromohio]

Why would somebody recommend Cyl over IC? Not trying to hijack the thread, but according to these guys:




Is Improved Cylinder (IC) not slightly superior than an open Cyl (no constriction) in terms of giving you a slight edge in range/accuracy? Open Cyl bores are generally found on defensive shotguns used for close combat, close hunting, etc...

I’m an enthusiast….not an expert. I don’t think you would see much difference between IC and Cyl. You will see issues as you go too tight. I’ve shot slugs from fixed modified with no mechanical problems but accuracy was pretty bad.

 

[entropy]

What would be a safe shot with the Remington 870 12 gauge in a 28 in barrel with just a bead sight, using 1 oz. Fosters slugs for deer 50, 75 yards?

What choke would you recommend using a modified or an improved cylinder in the 28 in Barrel?

I've seen people miss at under ten yards with that very setup. Repeatedly. I've seen one person connect at just under 100 yards with a JC Higgins pump and foster slugs. It depends on the shooter.

I wouldn't hunt with an 870 with a smoothbore barrel, but that's just me. I had a Hastings 20" cantilever barrel for my 870 until I gave it to my son after WI went to rifle statewide.

Some choke on Foster slugs seems to help accuracy for most, but no more than Modified. I would try both at the range and use the one that shoots better.

 

[9x56MS]

I managed to turn 30 deer into steaks and roasts with a cylinder bore Ithica deerslayer before NY started allowing rifles in my area so I am in the cylinder bore camp but my best friend did pretty well with his 870 and IC barrel so I don’t think the difference amounts to a hill of beans. Learn what brand of slugs your gun likes then shoot until you learn your range limitations then go makin bacon.

 

[illinoisburt]

I just picked up a scope mount that mounts where the trigger pins holes are and picked up a used shotgun slug scope. That should help me out with further distance and more accuracy than just using the front bead sight.

Those saddle mounts tend to put the scope awful close to your noggin so might want to throw on a stock extension. Also, you will lose zero anytime the barrel is moved. This was such a common issue the industry in general moved to the cantilever barrel mounts. So long as everything is tight it should hold well enough for the slugs effective range however definitely check things over a few times while sighting in and do not loosen the barrel nut afterwards.

 

[Dinosaur1]

Yes. Never cuddle up to a shotgun scope.

 

[9x56MS]

Yes. Never cuddle up to a shotgun scope.

That’s a good recipe for a bloodied brow and a nice scar to boot.

 

[GAF]

I use nothing but Brenneke KO`s in my 870 20 inch smooth bore with front and rear sights.
At 100 yards I can shoot 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inch groups. I hold dead on.

 

[GAF]

And I have killed a few deer with it too.

 

[huntersdog]

Thank you all very much for your help and I really appreciate it!

 

[GAF]

And one more thing. Of all the slug shells I tested Brenneke KO`s where the most accurate but I suspect that YMMV.