Which 870 Barrel should I get....

[Regolith]

Ok, I'm trying to pin down exactly what barrel I want to buy. The purpose for the barrel would be for defensive purposes, both at home and in the woods. It should be capable of accurately shooting slugs at 100 yards, and needs to pattern well with buck shot at say 25 or 30 yards (which I know is as much a factor of ammo as it is the barrel, but I'm trying to lay down my parameters as well as possible). I'll be using this barrel on my 870 Express that I bought with a 28" barrel (I use the gun for bird hunting as well, and the 28" barrels are almost as expensive as a brand new gun with one already on it).


So, which barrel would be best for this? My three current choices are a 20" barrel with a removable choke and rifle sights ($190 at Cabelas - comes with an IC choke and a rifled choke), an 20" Improved Cylinder with rifle sights ($150 at Cabelas) and a 18.5" Cylinder Bore ($100 at Cabelas).

The 20" barrels are Remington factory replacement barrels. The 18.5" Cyl Bore is a Mossberg made replacement barrel for the Rem 870.

So, which barrel would be best for the task I've designated? I'd obviously prefer to get the cheapest one, but I have heard that slugs perform best out of an Improved cylinder bore, and that a little bit of constriction also helps buckshot to group better. Also, does anyone know of any other barrels by other manufacturers that are relatively inexpensive (preferably under $150) that would suit my purposes?

 

[Avenger29]

I'd go with wither of the first two choices. In fact, I'd get the 20" IC with rifle sights, as it seems to be the best compromise between price and functionality. I currently shoot what came with mine- an 18.5" Cyl. Bore, but plan to get a 20" with sights (either the rifle sights or ghost rings) sometime in the future...

 

[Dave McCracken]

I rather favor the 20" barrel with open sights and Remchokes. I've one on my Deer 870, though the rear sight has been removed and there's a peep sight on the receiver.

The last maybe 20 deer I've checked in with it shows it's effective.

IIRC, I had the cone done, otherwise it's stock. Outside of deer season, it has an IC choke installed. 25 yd patterns with 00 of choice run 16" to 20".

HTH....

 

[Fred Fuller]

Since you want to use the gun for wingshooting too, I'd get a barrel that had rifle type sights attached to the barrel. That way when you take off the short barrel, the sights go with it. That seems to be what you have outlined doing, IMHO it's the best idea for a truly versatile shotgun. Remington lists several 18- 20" barrels on their parts list, but there's never any telling what will be in stock at any given time. Give 'em a call at their toll free number and ask.

I prefer 18- 18.5" barrels for HD and big game hunting, they just feel better to me. They are available with rifle type sights with fixed ImpCyl and fixed Mod chokes if you catch the parts department when there are some over-runs in stock from Police gun orders.

The 20" RS ImpCyl is the most common short barrel these days around here, there are a good many of the old CYL 20" RS barrels around too on the used market. They go for $70-90 used in this area.

Happy shopping,

lpl/nc