New to me Rem870 and 3in 1-1/4oz Slugs at the range

[45/30-06OKIE]

I recently picked up a barely used (I wonder why) Remington 870 Slug gun with a 23in fully rifled barrel and a cantilever Weaver mount that I put a Leupold RDS on for $399 at a shop in Colorado while visiting family last month. I got a chance to take it to the range this weekend and shot 5 (count 'em, 5) 3in 1-1/4oz federal slugs to get the RDS sighted in and can you say "ouch"!! They felt about twice the recoil of my 270 bolt action... But the muzzle blast/flames were something to behold in and of itself! I can say for sure that I would NOT want to be on the receiving end of that chunk of lead though! A guy came into the bay just as I lit off the first round and he was like "what the heck is that????" The (very, very friendly) RSO who swept up my 5.56 brass from my MCX told him it was a 12ga but not that it was a slug gun So after shooting 4 rounds I asked him if he wanted to shoot my last round and I told him they were 3in 1-1/4oz slugs, and he was like , "no thanks"
Here's a picture of the gun for your viewing pleasure.

 

[badkarmamib]

My first shotgun was a Rossi single shot combo, 12ga and .223 interchangeable barrels. I bought a box of 5 3" magnum slugs, and some bird- and buckshot, and trucked out to the range. When I later sold the gun, there were still 4 slug rounds in the box...

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

My first shotgun was a Rossi single shot combo, 12ga and .223 interchangeable barrels. I bought a box of 5 3" magnum slugs, and some bird- and buckshot, and trucked out to the range. When I later sold the gun, there were still 4 slug rounds in the box...

Holy Cow, I can't imagine how a single shot 12ga with 3in slugs would kick... Geez, Id probably get rid of it to... I bet trap loads wouldn't be too bad for clay pigeon shooting but anything more than that is probably asking for a new shoulder lol.

 

[Mycin]

My first shotgun was a Rossi single shot combo, 12ga and .223 interchangeable barrels. I bought a box of 5 3" magnum slugs, and some bird- and buckshot, and trucked out to the range. When I later sold the gun, there were still 4 slug rounds in the box...

The hardest-kicking gun I've ever shot was shooting 3" 00 Buck out of my 870 defense shotgun (20" bbl). I got a little further than you - I only have 3 rounds left in the five-round box. After the first round, I thought I must not have had a good, solid mount on my shoulder so I racked in another and bore down for a second try. Nope. Wasn't my mount. That was enough of that.

When I was about 14, I shot a two-trigger SxS with fingers on both triggers (not knowing any better) and of course fired both barrels of dove loads at once. It put me on my butt, but didn't hurt as much as 3" buck shot out of the 870. I've shot a 10ga auto-loader which was actually fun.

 

[jmr40]

Recoil was probably in the 55-60 ft lb range, that is getting into 375 H&H range. Which is closer to 3X your 270. If you really want to get the snot kicked out of you shoot some of the 3 1/2" turkey loads with 2 1/4 oz of shot. Recoil is in the 80 ft lb of recoil range. That is comparable to 458 WM.

I tried some years ago. Decided I don't want a turkey bad enough to use those shells.

 

[lemaymiami]

All of my experience is with basic riot guns - and I relied on the one I had with me on any hot calls for many years... If you ever see the wounds that basic 2 3/4" 00 buck or slug deliver - you'd never want anything else. At close quarters (under 15 meters) it's a one shot fight ender... In that one heart stopping moment when you actually need to engage an armed opponent - it's pretty handy to be able to hit on target and be ready for follow up shots if you're facing more than one opponent... Those 3" shells just get in the way of that in my opinion... Using a shotgun as hunting tool where you're not shooting at something that can come back at you - then, maybe you can justify a 3" round.

If I had to guess, I"ll bet more than one new shotgun shooter starts out with 3" rounds - then very quickly puts that gun away (or sells it) -not realizing that the ammo involved is what's discouraging them...

 

[Rshooter]

I have a few 870's and have fired 3" shells from them. I tell new shooters that 3" shells for normal use are for people that do not like themselves. For social work I think that they can lead to overpenetration worries. I am really interested in some of the new 2" shells that have hit the market recently. While the 1 3/4" shells do not work in 870's reliably I have read that the 2" shells will.

 

[armedwalleye]

Before I found my Savage 220, I hunted s year with the same 870 you’ve hot.
Yup, murder off the bench. Two deer in the field with it and I don’t think I even thought about the recoil

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Before I found my Savage 220, I hunted s year with the same 870 you’ve hot.
Yup, murder off the bench. Two deer in the field with in and I don’t think I even thought about the tecoil

Yeah I would like Remington to make a 12ga version of the 700 as that would be cool... But yeah I like a good 'ol 870 as it has that aesthetic feel.

 

[Boattale]

High velocity heavy payload 12 ga. 3" turkey loads bruise my shoulder and I'm willing to be they would bruise yours too.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

High velocity heavy payload 12 ga. 3" turkey loads bruise my shoulder and I'm willing to be they would bruise yours too.

See what's funny is I also have a stoeger p3500 and I have shot 3.5in 2oz #5 loads out of it and it had like no recoil so idk what's up with that. It felt like a good higher velocity trap load, not bad at all.

 

[Boattale]

See what's funny is I also have a stoeger p3500 and I have shot 3.5in 2oz #5 loads out of it and it had like no recoil so idk what's up with that. It felt like a good higher velocity trap load, not bad at all.

You're a lot tougher than me then.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

There are people who shoot turkey with over-choked .410 shotguns with high velocity shells, very tight pattern, have to aim carefully, but less punishing.

I loaned a relative money and ended up stuck with a 12ga 3.5" turkey gun that was unpleasant to shoot. I did not feel bad about trading it off for a .30-30 over 12ga combo gun.

 

[Virginian]

If I had a dollar for every 3" 1-7/8 ounce or 1-5/8 ounce load I've shot out of an 870 I'd be rich. My early '70s Wingmaster weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz.

 

[ctdair1]

My 870 with 3 inch slugs make an impression when checking zero before yearly deer season. Never feel a thing when actually shooting at deer.

 

[Riomouse911]

You’re a better man than I, Gunga Din. Those shoulder busters aren’t fun at all.

Thinking about it, I can’t honestly say if any of my 12 gauge shotguns even have a 3” chamber…wait a minute, I bought a Stoeger Condor 12 ga 28” O/U for under 300 bucks on sale at the end of 2020. That shotgun has 3” chambers, but I highly doubt it’ll ever see a 3” shell.

Federal 2 3/4” 1 buck - max dram equivalent loads are as stout as I care to go. They have a sharp, ear splitting crack! when fired and plenty of shove backwards as well.

Stay safe.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

You’re a better man than I, Gunga Din. Those shoulder busters aren’t fun at all.

Thinking about it, I can’t honestly say if any of my 12 gauge shotguns even have a 3” chamber…wait a minute, I bought a Stoeger Condor 12 ga 28” O/U for under 300 bucks on sale at the end of 2020. That shotgun has 3” chambers, but I highly doubt it’ll ever see a 3” shell.

Federal 2 3/4” 1 buck - max dram equivalent loads are as stout as I care to go. They have a sharp, ear splitting crack! when fired and plenty of shove backwards as well.

Stay safe.

I found 2 boxes of Winchester 2-3/4in 1B (with 20 pellets) shells at a LGS and I can't find a velocity rating for them. What are the Federal ones rated at?

 

[22250Rem]

I've had an 870 slug gun since I got it new in 1987. Been playing with slug guns since the late 1960's- early 70's. They can be a handful, but then; I don't shoot an awful lot of slugs every year. I'm assuming the O.P. plans to hunt with slugs (?). My 870, ( originally a smoothbore slug barrel), got a fully rifled Remington barrel circa 2000 - 2001. Years ago I used 3" slugs exclusively but went to 2 & 3/4" slugs because they were more accurate in my gun. Then a few years later I finally realized that the deer I shot couldn't tell the difference between which ever slug I used. Been using 2 & 3/4" stuff ever since. They kick too, but not as bad as 3 inchers. Stocked up on Winchester B.R.I. 2 & 3/4" sabot slugs back around 2013-14 because my barrel likes them. Haven't seen any in a few years but I'm all set for many more years. If they are still available I would say give them a try. Although the bottom line is still what your gun likes best. .

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I've had an 870 slug gun since I got it new in 1987. Been playing with slug guns since the late 1960's- early 70's. They can be a handful, but then; I don't shoot an awful lot of slugs every year. I'm assuming the O.P. plans to hunt with slugs (?). My 870, ( originally a smoothbore slug barrel), got a fully rifled Remington barrel circa 2000 - 2001. Years ago I used 3" slugs exclusively but went to 2 & 3/4" slugs because they were more accurate in my gun. Then a few years later I finally realized that the deer I shot couldn't tell the difference between which ever slug I used. Been using 2 & 3/4" stuff ever since. They kick too, but not as bad as 3 inchers. Stocked up on Winchester B.R.I. 2 & 3/4" sabot slugs back around 2013-14 because my barrel likes them. Haven't seen any in a few years but I'm all set for many more years. If they are still available I would say give them a try. Although the bottom line is still what your gun likes best. View attachment 1066132.

I have a bad habit of finding good deals and going home with them... And I just like collecting cool guns as well, lol. I do want to get some more of the Hornady 300gr SST slugs as they are hard to find locally...

 

[Random 8]

Yeah, 12 Ga recoil with extra heavy loads is no joke. I had some 3 1/2" tungsten goose loads. They were somewhere in the 2oz payload range. Took an overhead passing shot at a honker and ended up with my butt in the mud.

I don't shoot slugs often, but when I do, they are the 2 3/4" variety and say 1oz or 7/8 oz on them. Even those are a bit sporty out of a lightweight field gun. I skip the bench and shoot unsupported to allow the upper body to move with recoil.

 

[Caplock]

Meeh....once you've torchered your wrist shooting a Winchester Defender with pistol grip...shooting anything you can shoulder doesn't seem bad.

 

[d2wing]

That's why my slug gun is an 11-87.

 

[d2wing]

My preferred slugs are Winchester Sabot slugs. They seem to be accurate and effective out of my 11-87.

 

[DustyGmt]

That's a beautiful setup. I like it. I gave my pardner to my brother and now the only 870 I have is a Wingmaster TB with a couple different barrels for it but I would like to have another 870, I wouldn't be opposed to a rifled slug barrel since I already have quite a few shotguns and versatility, the 21" IC bbl I'm told will chuck a slug accurately up to about 100yards, I imagine with a rifled slug bbl it would extend your range 30-40 yards, no?

I love 870's, I have a 590 and 500 but I lean toward the 870 as being my favorite as much as I like mossbergs....