Rifled Barrel for HD

[Tipro]

Do not currently own a shotgun. It's my understanding that a rifled barrel will throw shot in a doughnut pattern. How detrimental, if at all, would this be for using the shotgun in a HD role while shooting Buck or birdshot?

 

[rule303]

It all depends on the range. Within 5 or so yards it probably wouldn't make much difference, beyond that you wouldn't believe how fast the pattern opens up. In a pinch, it would be better than nothing, but a smooth bore would be a much better option. You can pick up a short cylinder bore barrel new for under $100 for most pumps.

 

[BADUNAME37]

If you do get a rifled shotgun barrel, I would think anything shot within average "home-interior" distances would be affected very little by the doughnut-pattern shot column.

If you consider most shots would likely be within, say, 21 feet MAXIMUM, I doubt very much whether you will even see a doughnut pattern!

Of course, the only way to tell would be to take the loads out that you plan to use for home defense and shoot them at various distances you would plan on shooting within your home to see just how much doughnut-patterning you end up with!

I have a fairly large home and the farthest shot I would most likely take would be within 7 yards, i.e., within 21 feet. I also think that, the larger buckshot pellets would tend to want to go straighter, longer, than say, if you used #8 bird-shot. I am only speculating, as I have never tested my rifled 12 gauge barrel using pellets.

 

[Tipro]

Well my issue really is that I'm picky. I want a Remington 870, and I want it in wood. And I want a barrel 20 inches or less. So particular. Anyways, Remington seems to assume that every HD shotgun needs to be tactical, aka black synthetic. The closest thing they have to what I want is one of their "combo" packages where you get one shotgun and two barrels. One of the barrels is usually a 26" smooth bore, which I wouldn't mind if I ever get into turkey hunting or something, and the second is a 20" rifled barrel. Why don't they make a package with 2 smooth bore's?

It would be a shame to buy a $350 shotgun and then have to buy another barrel to make it what I want.

Edit: Looks like it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I was also worried about shot messing up the rifling, but if this wasn't mentioned already I'll assume it's a non-issue.

 

[rcmodel]

Buy the 870 you want for hunting and buy this barrel for HD.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/re87012cybod.html

You can't get a combo set you want for that price.

rc

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

See the Box O'Truth #43 Buckshot in a Rifled Barrel to see what happens when a rifled barrel is used with buckshot.

 

[jmr40]

No way I'd use a rifled barrel with shot of any type unless I just had no other choice. I knew it wouldn't be good, but even I didn't realise how bad until reading the above link.

I use a 20" IC barrrel with rifle sights. I still get useable buckshot patterns out to 30+ yards and with ordinary slugs can keep all shots within 4-5" at 100 yards from a smooth bore barrel. If I were a hunter, and wanted to shoot slugs farther than 100 yards I might consider a rifled barrel.

 

[Skribs]

So video games use rifled shotgun barrels, it all makes sense now.

 

[TurtlePhish]

So video games use rifled shotgun barrels, it all makes sense now.

The shotgun from Halo must be threaded on the inside or something...