question about remington 870

[abrink]

I'm looking to get a 20ga. Remington 870 Express shotgun.(http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express.asp)

Please click on the above link and tell me this, this gun the way it comes, is the choke integrated with the barrel or can i change the choke tubes out? And if i take the choke tube out can i shoot slugs in it?

Thanks

 

[Oldnamvet]

Yes you can change the choke tubes. They just screw in. And yes you can shoot slugs in it with the more open choke tubes (not a good idea with full or extra-full tubes) but it isn't good to shoot it without a choke tube in place and firmly tightened. I saw a nice gun with screwed up choke threads from people shooting it with no choke installed (steel shot).

 

[abrink]

It comes with a modified choke. Is this open enough to shoot slugs?

 

[Fred Fuller]

You'll probably get better results with slugs with an ImpCyl choke tube, maybe even CYL, but with shotguns it's nigh impossible to say anything certain about a particular barrel's performance without trying it out on paper.

Any reason in particular you're going for the 20 and not the 12?

lpl

 

[Pete409]

A Modified choke should work fine with slugs. I've shot many slugs through Full choked guns and with good accuracy too.

 

[SGW42]

If it has screw-in choke tubes (which that gun with that barrel does) you need to have some sort of choke screwed into it before shooting.

 

[springfield30-06]

To echo what has already been said... slugs should shoot out of a mod. choke without any problems but you may get better accuracy with IC. Don't shoot it without a choke at all as you'll probably mess up the threads.

 

[VARifleman]

If you want replacement chokes you can order many different flavors, just make sure they are REM-Chokes. Other brands use different threads and lengths etc, and even Remington has a different one, although its name escapes me at the moment.

 

[abrink]

Any reason in particular you're going for the 20 and not the 12?

Yes. I'm completely new to shotguns. I just recently shot a 20ga. yesterday and the man who had me shooting it said that it was plenty for deer. Does the 12 kick a lot more than the 20?

 

[VARifleman]

12 is manageable with a fitting stock, a butt pad, normal loads, and a decent position. If you have any experience with any centerfire rifle, you'll learn quick. Even if you don't, you'll probably learn quick with a few pointers.

20 will get the job done, 12 is easier to find ammo and accessories for.

 

[Fred Fuller]

In my experience a 12 with lighter loads/reduced recoil loads kicks less than a 20 with magnum loads. There's a much wider variety of loads available for the 12 than for the 20.

Recoil is a matter of physics- the more you push out the muzzle and the faster it goes, the more the gun will push back. The more the gun weighs, the less it will push back, and most 12s are heavier than most 20s.

Handling recoil as a shooter is for the most part a matter of proper gun fit on the one hand, and proper form and a good gun mount on the part of the shooter on the other hand. A premium recoil pad can help, but good form and proper fit are primary considerations.

Making the decision as to which gauge to get is completely up to you, but if you are in good health there shouldn't be any reason you can't shoot a 12 comfortably if you want to. I only asked the question to dtr and determine why you were looking at a 20, not to cause you difficulties in making the decision. Try shooting a 12 ga. 870 with light field loads and see how it goes. If it's manageable, then try it with standard velocity buckshot or slugs. IMHO it's better for a person to make up their own mind based on their own experience, and it's better to try before you buy.

FWIW,

lpl

 

[ImARugerFan]

Are you planning on using this gun for purposes in addition to deer hunting, or is it primarily going to be a slug shooter? If a slug shooter, remington does sell the gun set up specifically for slugs and they may shoot better than this model. If this is the model you get, everyone else has answered your questions about the choke tubes. A 20 or 12 will be plenty for deer. You won't notice the kick when you are shooting at an animal, you might notice it when shooting at paper though


870 express deer gun: http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_deer.asp Available in 12ga rifled, or imp cylinder.

 

[abrink]

Recoil is a matter of physics- the more you push out the muzzle and the faster it goes, the more the gun will push back. The more the gun weighs, the less it will push back, and most 12s are heavier than most 20s.

Yes i know most 12's weigh more than most 20's. I'm going to take this shotgun with me in the backwoods for wilderness defense pretty much everyday so i want something light. I don't mind ordering ammo online. There are also some Brenneke Slugs that i know are capable of taking black bear (if need be) with good shot placement.

If i really want to upgrade to a 12 after i get the 20, maybe santa claus will consider it.

 

[Oldnamvet]

There are also some Brenneke Slugs that i know are capable of taking black bear (if need be) with good shot placement.

Talk to people who use shotguns for bear. I really think you should reconsider the 12. When a black bear is coming at you, the perfect shot placement is not always possible -- even for the experienced bear hunter.

 

[abrink]

OK, OK you've convinced me...With only a one pound weight difference i figured i might as well get the 12 gauge.

Now... what distances can i get with 00 buck full choke and 3" slug modified choke.

I know the slug could probably reach up to 100 yards but what about the buckshot?

What prices am i looking at for a Rem. 870 express 12ga? If i can find it used I'll get that but what is the average price for a new one?

Thanks!

 

[Athanasius]

I just bought a almost brand new 870 express magnum for $210 I THINK that was a really good deal though. they go for 290 new at cabelas with a full set of choke tubes.

 

[Jack2427]

You might consider getting a rifled Rem choke, they extend a little beyond the barrel end, but they work, and in many cases quite well. I did this for my Wichester/FN and the accuracy improvement was amazing. Then tried it for my BPS Tactical, again much improvement with slugs. Then I got an extended extra full choke with integrated muzzle brake for the Winchester/FN, not only did it extend my buckshot range a good 15 yards, just for sake of ***, I fired some regular Federal slugs through it. It produced improved groups also! Not like the rifled tube, but pretty good, put the 3" groups out a further 15-20 yards. Not saying it will do this for any SG, but it just goes to show that experimenting can get results.