Police Shotgun for hunting

gdeal · September 26, 2007, 03:43 PM

Would a Remington 870 LE with an 18 inch barrel be OK for duck hunting and deer hunting?

ZeroJunk · September 26, 2007, 04:59 PM

I suppose it is OK,but you would be more accurate with a longer barrel.

T-Ray · September 26, 2007, 05:08 PM

it would work but i would reccommend getting a longer barrel since its an 870, theres a variety of barrels out there

gdeal · September 26, 2007, 06:52 PM

how many inch barrel is a typical hunting shotgun then?

Doyle · September 26, 2007, 07:35 PM

For deer, the 18" barrel is fine (maybe). For waterfowl, anything less than about 26" and you'll never be able to lead your shot correctly. Also, I highly doubt that your short barrel has anything more than an improved cylinder choke. If you really want to shoot waterfowl, get another barrel. More importantly, federal waterfowl regulations limit shot capacity to 3 shots total (chamber plus mag). You must have a one-piece plug installed in the magazine during the hunt.

For deer with your 18" barrel, you need to find out two things.. Is it rifled and what choke (if any) does it have? The answer to those two questions will determine the choice of projectile. A rifled barrel will preclude any use of buckshot. It will also mean the use of a slug made specifically for rifled barrels.

A non-rifled barrel will be ok with buckshot - however, you'll need a modified choke to get a decent pattern at "hunting range" (typically 30 to 40 yds). A non-rifled barrel will also dictate the usage of a rifled slug.

Also, make sure to check the magazine size limit for your state when deer hunting. You may live in one of the states where you have to use a magazine plug for deer also.

September 26, 2007, 03:43 PM	#1
gdeal Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 748	Police Shotgun for hunting Would a Remington 870 LE with an 18 inch barrel be OK for duck hunting and deer hunting?

September 26, 2007, 06:52 PM	#4
gdeal Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 748	longer barrel how many inch barrel is a typical hunting shotgun then?

September 26, 2007, 04:59 PM	#2
ZeroJunk Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2006 Location: Browns Summit NC Posts: 2,589	I suppose it is OK,but you would be more accurate with a longer barrel.

September 26, 2007, 05:08 PM	#3
T-Ray Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 288	it would work but i would reccommend getting a longer barrel since its an 870, theres a variety of barrels out there

September 26, 2007, 07:35 PM	#5
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	For deer, the 18" barrel is fine (maybe). For waterfowl, anything less than about 26" and you'll never be able to lead your shot correctly. Also, I highly doubt that your short barrel has anything more than an improved cylinder choke. If you really want to shoot waterfowl, get another barrel. More importantly, federal waterfowl regulations limit shot capacity to 3 shots total (chamber plus mag). You must have a one-piece plug installed in the magazine during the hunt. For deer with your 18" barrel, you need to find out two things.. Is it rifled and what choke (if any) does it have? The answer to those two questions will determine the choice of projectile. A rifled barrel will preclude any use of buckshot. It will also mean the use of a slug made specifically for rifled barrels. A non-rifled barrel will be ok with buckshot - however, you'll need a modified choke to get a decent pattern at "hunting range" (typically 30 to 40 yds). A non-rifled barrel will also dictate the usage of a rifled slug. Also, make sure to check the magazine size limit for your state when deer hunting. You may live in one of the states where you have to use a magazine plug for deer also.