The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Remington 870

bamaranger · November 6, 2009, 03:23 AM

Both are classics, USA made, durable, and can be tweaked to hunt, fight, or shoot claybirds.

The 870 is a steel receiver and is heavier than a 500, all things equal. The steel rec gives great strength, I have a brother in law whose 870 has digested skazillion trap loads and keeps ticking. The weight absorbs recoil some too.

The 500 has an alloy receicver (alum?) and is a bit lighter, again all other things equal. The 500 has become popular w/ turkey hunters here for that very reason, cause you tend to walk alot, and there's no need for weight for a smooth swing and follow through, gobbler hunting is about one well aimed (not pointed) shot. Same for the polymer framed Nova. But I have never seen a 500 in the hands of a serious clay shooter. And in the magnum 3.5 versions, the 500's kick HARD. I know several guys who shoot 3" shell in their Mossy's, saying that's all they need to kill a gobbler in range anyhow.

November 6, 2009, 03:23 AM	#12
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	870 v. 500 Both are classics, USA made, durable, and can be tweaked to hunt, fight, or shoot claybirds. The 870 is a steel receiver and is heavier than a 500, all things equal. The steel rec gives great strength, I have a brother in law whose 870 has digested skazillion trap loads and keeps ticking. The weight absorbs recoil some too. The 500 has an alloy receicver (alum?) and is a bit lighter, again all other things equal. The 500 has become popular w/ turkey hunters here for that very reason, cause you tend to walk alot, and there's no need for weight for a smooth swing and follow through, gobbler hunting is about one well aimed (not pointed) shot. Same for the polymer framed Nova. But I have never seen a 500 in the hands of a serious clay shooter. And in the magnum 3.5 versions, the 500's kick HARD. I know several guys who shoot 3" shell in their Mossy's, saying that's all they need to kill a gobbler in range anyhow.