A question from someone new to shotguns

Biophobe · December 16, 2004, 02:53 PM

Sorry to do this, but I have some shotgun related questions that most of you might think are obvious.

The weapon I own is a Remington 870 Express Magnum 18.5" smooth barrel.

What do I need to look for in regards to slug ammunition? I know there are several types out there but I do not know the differance between them. I think that some can be shot through a smooth barrel but I'm not sure.

Is there a particular type of buckshot you could suggest that I should be using for HD?

Thank you in advance for any help on these matters.

rogerwilco · December 16, 2004, 03:05 PM

First thing is....You need to findout which size choke you have on that barrel. I've always been told not shoot slugs with a full choke barrel.

Hollowpnt · December 16, 2004, 03:13 PM

Good advice, I would go so far as to advise you to pick up a second barrel just for slugs. They're relatively cheap and readily avalable. Second check the length of your shells, I think 12 gauge slugs are all 3 1\4, and I think 870s have no problem with that, but ask the vender where you get your slugs.
870s are great shot-guns have fun, and keep the butt against your shoulder when you fire them.

NSO_w/_SIG · December 16, 2004, 05:29 PM

Your shot gun will handle 2 3/4 in or 3 in shells. If you have a smooth bore barrel you need rifled slugs, not sabots. 00 buck shot is what you want for HD! For more info. there are tons of threads on this topic already do a search for 870.

Biophobe · December 16, 2004, 05:41 PM

Thank you for the responces. I'll do a search and read through all the other threads. In regards to a choke, how would I find out what kind of choke I have?

NSO_w/_SIG · December 16, 2004, 06:29 PM

My guess would be you have a improved cylinder or modified cylinder barrel. Check remingtons web site some of your q's might be answered there.

9mmMike · December 16, 2004, 11:15 PM

Regarding which choke:

Take a look at your barrel. Assuming this is a fixed choke gun (not threaded for rem chokes, right?). On the left side, nearer to the receiver will be the choke stamp. I would guess on your factory 18.5" barrel it will say either CYL or IC. That is Cylinder Bore which is no choke at all or Improved Cylnder which is normally around .010 POC (Points Of Constriction).
You can safely shoot slugs from either of those chokes.
For a smooth bore, you want rifled slugs. They come in a variety of sizes. I shoot 2 3/4" Low Energy slugs by Federal. They are sometimes called "tactical".
You can get them here - Ammoman Link .
I get my buckshot from Eric the Ammoman as well.
I have a few 870 magnums and have never felt the need to shoot any ammo larger than 2 3/4". You've got a terrific gun there in the 870. Go shoot the snot out if and it will only get better.

Mike

Biophobe · December 16, 2004, 11:39 PM

Thank you again for all the responces. I looked at the barrel and there is a stamp, it is a P with two circles around it. Any ideas as to what that is?

9mmMike · December 17, 2004, 09:01 AM

That is just the proof mark. Keep looking. It is probably a little left (towards the muzzle) of that.

Biophobe · December 17, 2004, 03:32 PM

There is some information written on the side. One line says 18.5" Cylinder Bore.

9mmMike · December 17, 2004, 03:53 PM

It actually says "Cylinder Bore"? They must not pay per letter!
That barrel has no POC. In other words, after the chamber it is the same size all the way through or you could say, no choke.

Biophobe · December 17, 2004, 05:11 PM

Thank you all for the patients and responces!

December 16, 2004, 02:53 PM	#1
Biophobe Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Posts: 7	A question from someone new to shotguns Sorry to do this, but I have some shotgun related questions that most of you might think are obvious. The weapon I own is a Remington 870 Express Magnum 18.5" smooth barrel. What do I need to look for in regards to slug ammunition? I know there are several types out there but I do not know the differance between them. I think that some can be shot through a smooth barrel but I'm not sure. Is there a particular type of buckshot you could suggest that I should be using for HD? Thank you in advance for any help on these matters.

December 16, 2004, 05:29 PM	#4
NSO_w/_SIG Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2004 Posts: 553	870 express Your shot gun will handle 2 3/4 in or 3 in shells. If you have a smooth bore barrel you need rifled slugs, not sabots. 00 buck shot is what you want for HD! For more info. there are tons of threads on this topic already do a search for 870.

December 16, 2004, 11:15 PM	#7
9mmMike Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: SE PA Posts: 1,049	Regarding which choke: Take a look at your barrel. Assuming this is a fixed choke gun (not threaded for rem chokes, right?). On the left side, nearer to the receiver will be the choke stamp. I would guess on your factory 18.5" barrel it will say either CYL or IC. That is Cylinder Bore which is no choke at all or Improved Cylnder which is normally around .010 POC (Points Of Constriction). You can safely shoot slugs from either of those chokes. For a smooth bore, you want rifled slugs. They come in a variety of sizes. I shoot 2 3/4" Low Energy slugs by Federal. They are sometimes called "tactical". You can get them here - Ammoman Link . I get my buckshot from Eric the Ammoman as well. I have a few 870 magnums and have never felt the need to shoot any ammo larger than 2 3/4". You've got a terrific gun there in the 870. Go shoot the snot out if and it will only get better. Mike __________________ "Freedom is not free" Visit TheRallyPoint.org TheRallyPoint at LRGC- Saturday August 26th IF YOU LIVE IN PA AND DID NOT VOTE, YOU DESERVE TO LOSE YOUR GUNS!

December 17, 2004, 09:01 AM	#9
9mmMike Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: SE PA Posts: 1,049	That is just the proof mark. Keep looking. It is probably a little left (towards the muzzle) of that. __________________ "Freedom is not free" Visit TheRallyPoint.org TheRallyPoint at LRGC- Saturday August 26th IF YOU LIVE IN PA AND DID NOT VOTE, YOU DESERVE TO LOSE YOUR GUNS!

December 17, 2004, 03:53 PM	#11
9mmMike Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: SE PA Posts: 1,049	It actually says "Cylinder Bore"? They must not pay per letter! That barrel has no POC. In other words, after the chamber it is the same size all the way through or you could say, no choke. __________________ "Freedom is not free" Visit TheRallyPoint.org TheRallyPoint at LRGC- Saturday August 26th IF YOU LIVE IN PA AND DID NOT VOTE, YOU DESERVE TO LOSE YOUR GUNS!

December 16, 2004, 03:05 PM	#2
rogerwilco Junior member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Chesterfield,Virginia Posts: 152	First thing is....You need to findout which size choke you have on that barrel. I've always been told not shoot slugs with a full choke barrel.

December 16, 2004, 03:13 PM	#3
Hollowpnt Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: California..or Kalifornia Posts: 40	Good advice, I would go so far as to advise you to pick up a second barrel just for slugs. They're relatively cheap and readily avalable. Second check the length of your shells, I think 12 gauge slugs are all 3 1\4, and I think 870s have no problem with that, but ask the vender where you get your slugs. 870s are great shot-guns have fun, and keep the butt against your shoulder when you fire them.

December 16, 2004, 05:41 PM	#5
Biophobe Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Posts: 7	Thank you for the responces. I'll do a search and read through all the other threads. In regards to a choke, how would I find out what kind of choke I have?

December 16, 2004, 06:29 PM	#6
NSO_w/_SIG Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2004 Posts: 553	My guess would be you have a improved cylinder or modified cylinder barrel. Check remingtons web site some of your q's might be answered there.

December 16, 2004, 11:39 PM	#8
Biophobe Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Posts: 7	Thank you again for all the responces. I looked at the barrel and there is a stamp, it is a P with two circles around it. Any ideas as to what that is?

December 17, 2004, 03:32 PM	#10
Biophobe Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Posts: 7	There is some information written on the side. One line says 18.5" Cylinder Bore.

December 17, 2004, 05:11 PM	#12
Biophobe Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Posts: 7	Thank you all for the patients and responces!