Remington 870 Wingmaster Magnum for hunting turkey

[Country_Soldier]

Whats up THR, just purchased a Remington 870 Wingmaster Magnum from a local pawn shop. Looked the whole shotgun over, very minor blemishing on the stock, very little blueing rubbed off, no rust anywhere, shotgun in really good condition. Sent the serial number off to Remington to get exact date of when shotgun was manufactured.

Now on to the question, the shotgun has 26 inch barrel, excepts 3 inch shells, fixed full choke. Did I come across a shotgun that is good for turkey hunting. Was the best shotgun out of the lot they had, saw the setup, thought it would work. I've always used my dads shotgun, first turkey gun I've purchased on my own.

Also, any suggestions for turkey loads for this shotgun. Thanks THR

 

[elkhunterCO]

I don't know much about shotguns but I do know you can go into Wal-Mart and find a box of 12 gauge with pictures of different types of birds on the boxes. Find a box with a turkey on it.

Make sure you don't get a waterfowl box. That is steel shot and I understand is not good for full choked shotguns.

A full choked shotgun with heavy lead turkey shot should do you pretty good.

 

[Laphroaig]

12 gauge, full choke, 3". Bingo, it will kill a turkey as good as anything short of a 10 gauge. Or one of those new fangled 3 1/2" magnums.

I like #4, others prefer #6 shot.

Laphroaig

 

[gamestalker]

That's a great turkey gun, you done good!

These days, I kill them with 3" magnums, and prefer #4 lead shot. That's a biggy there, make sure your getting lead shot.

In the old days I used 3" magnum copper plated BB, but the old mean green Nitro mag. BB loads are gone, probably never to be seen again.

GS

 

[H&Hhunter]

Full choke or a special turkey choke and some number 4s and you are in bidness for T birds!!

 

[jmr40]

The old fixed choke guns with 26" barrels were all Improved Cylinder choked. the 28" barrels were mostly modified with a few full choked, the 30" tubes were all full choke.

Are you sure you measured the barrel correctly? Most Remington shotgun barrels are about 1" shorter than advertised anyway. And if you just measure from the front of the receiver to the end of the barrel you lose about 1 more inch. The correct length is measured from the breach face.

If it is IC then it could be used as is, but it isn't ideal. Your effective range is limited somewhat. You have a good all around shotgun, not necessarily the best option for a dedicated turkey gun regardless.

Assuming the barrel is original you can look up the date of manufacture here.

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/questions/barrelcodes

This is the date the barrel was made. Sometimes the barrels get swapped so it may not be original and incorrect for the rest of the gun.

 

[Country_Soldier]

Awesome, thank you for the info everyone, going on leave starting Monday, I'll be out after them birds, will let everyone know how I did and how the shotgun handled, thanks THR

 

[red rick]

I would pattern the gun at 40 yds. with the shells that I planned on using . If you don't like the results try a different brand or size . Then you will know where it is hitting .

 

[Patocazador]

"The old fixed choke guns with 26" barrels were all Improved Cylinder choked. the 28" barrels were mostly modified with a few full choked, the 30" tubes were all full choke."


I bought an 870 Wingmaster in 1967. It came with a 26" imp. cyl. barrel and a 28" full choke barrel. That 28" full is a tight shooting barrel. Real good for turkeys and turkey shoots plus buckshot on deer. It's a great gun but I've never heard of a 26" full choked barrel for them.

 

[Skoghund]

My 30" wingmaster barrel from 1979 is stamped MOD. Do's this mean its got modifide choke?

 

[gamestalker]

My old magnum Wingmaster had a 28" VR barrel with a fixed modified choke, this was prior to the Rem. chokes being introduced. But when I bought it, I had the option of either a mod, or a full choke barrel, so they offered them with either from what I recall.

GS

 

[J-Bar]

I would pattern the gun at 40 yds. with the shells that I planned on using . If you don't like the results try a different brand or size . Then you will know where it is hitting .

^^^^^ This.

Always pattern a shotgun before taking it hunting. Murphy's Law gets enough opportunities as it is.

 

[tomturkey]

I have been shooting Remington Premier Magnum shells in #6 shot since they came out. You do not need big shot to kill turkeys. With the smaller shot their are way more pellets in a load upping greatly the chance of a fatal hit. Remember you will be shooting a shot gun like it is a rifle. Keep the cheek on the stock or you will shoot over the top

I had used both 3 and 3 1/2 inch shells in my 835 Mossberg with different factory turkey chokes. Fact is I have gone back to the more open standard turkey choke vrs. the super tight one they make. Plus after I shoot up the 3 1/2 inch shells I will just shoot 3".

I have used the shells in my 3 inch Model 12 heavy duck and my Ithaca Model 66 Super Single with great success.

A Modified Choke, any choke for that matter, will kill a turkey. You just have to get them in more close and personal. I have killed a few birds with my open choked double 12 smoke pole.

My grandson is 4 for 4 using the same shells in the Ithaca super single 20 ga. that I bought for him when he was 4 weeks old