looking for a new shotgun, 11-87, super x2, or 870

ragingbull454 · September 11, 2001, 05:47 AM

Does anyone know where I can find unbiased information on the 870, 11-87 or Super X2? I'm mainly interested in the 870, but I want the power of the 3 1/2", but I don't think I can handle the recoil. I'm also worried about anticipating recoil, or flinching, which is what I do with my handgun, and it throws off my accuracy. Any help?

Thanks,

Erick

Dave McC · September 11, 2001, 06:25 AM

Yes, but.....

Life's full of tradeoffs. One of them is the more lead we send downrange and the faster we send it, the more kick we have to handle.

I saw a table of free recoil recently. A 2 oz turkey load showed 4X the kick of a soft, 1 oz target load like I use for trap.To paraphrase Brister, it's like being in a car wreck.

BTW, our revered ancestors had better sense. A market hunter whose livelihood depended on his effectiveness would load 1 1/8 oz or less of shot in a 10 ga. A 2 oz load like that turkey load would've only been loaded in a punt gun, a small cannon mounted to a boat.The More Is Better Principle collides with the laws of Physics.

And, often the lighter loads work better, or as well as the barnburners. My Turkey load is 1 3/8 oz of lead,and only slightly better than a certain 1 1/4 oz of hard, plated shot designed as long range pheasant medicine.

And I used to bring in enough Canadas to make me happy with a 1 1/8 oz of #3s from a 16 ga.3 1/2" 12 ga loads cause more probs than they solve, IMO.

As for unbiased info on the 870, I confess to being slightly overfond of a tool I've used with complete satisfaction for over 40 years.

In that time, no glitches, and Heaven alone knows how many dead critters or how much ammo used. Best guess, over 20,000 rounds from various 870s, both personal and agency weapons.

My guess is, there's not much shotgunning in your personal history. Get an 870, 11-87, or other decent shotgun, start off with light loads and get familiarized. Then work up.

As for 3 1/2" shells, If I found a need for a load that heavy, I'd get an Ithaca or Remington Auto 10 ga that weighed about 10 lbs and use that, not an 8 lb 12 ga.Better pattern, less pain, better shooting...

MiniZ · September 11, 2001, 10:39 PM

I would follow Dave's advice on this. However, if you need to have a 3 1/2 12GA, I would suggest the 11-87 among your three choices. The 870 would actually be my preference(relatively indestructable), but you will get a little recoil reduction out of the gas operated 11-87. The Super x2 has good reviews in the gun mags, but take their commercial endorsment for what it is worth.

Zane

September 11, 2001, 05:47 AM	#1
ragingbull454 Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2001 Location: Portage, IN Posts: 255	looking for a new shotgun, 11-87, super x2, or 870 Does anyone know where I can find unbiased information on the 870, 11-87 or Super X2? I'm mainly interested in the 870, but I want the power of the 3 1/2", but I don't think I can handle the recoil. I'm also worried about anticipating recoil, or flinching, which is what I do with my handgun, and it throws off my accuracy. Any help? Thanks, Erick

September 11, 2001, 06:25 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Yes, but..... Life's full of tradeoffs. One of them is the more lead we send downrange and the faster we send it, the more kick we have to handle. I saw a table of free recoil recently. A 2 oz turkey load showed 4X the kick of a soft, 1 oz target load like I use for trap.To paraphrase Brister, it's like being in a car wreck. BTW, our revered ancestors had better sense. A market hunter whose livelihood depended on his effectiveness would load 1 1/8 oz or less of shot in a 10 ga. A 2 oz load like that turkey load would've only been loaded in a punt gun, a small cannon mounted to a boat.The More Is Better Principle collides with the laws of Physics. And, often the lighter loads work better, or as well as the barnburners. My Turkey load is 1 3/8 oz of lead,and only slightly better than a certain 1 1/4 oz of hard, plated shot designed as long range pheasant medicine. And I used to bring in enough Canadas to make me happy with a 1 1/8 oz of #3s from a 16 ga.3 1/2" 12 ga loads cause more probs than they solve, IMO. As for unbiased info on the 870, I confess to being slightly overfond of a tool I've used with complete satisfaction for over 40 years. In that time, no glitches, and Heaven alone knows how many dead critters or how much ammo used. Best guess, over 20,000 rounds from various 870s, both personal and agency weapons. My guess is, there's not much shotgunning in your personal history. Get an 870, 11-87, or other decent shotgun, start off with light loads and get familiarized. Then work up. As for 3 1/2" shells, If I found a need for a load that heavy, I'd get an Ithaca or Remington Auto 10 ga that weighed about 10 lbs and use that, not an 8 lb 12 ga.Better pattern, less pain, better shooting...

September 11, 2001, 10:39 PM	#3
MiniZ Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2001 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 517	I would follow Dave's advice on this. However, if you need to have a 3 1/2 12GA, I would suggest the 11-87 among your three choices. The 870 would actually be my preference(relatively indestructable), but you will get a little recoil reduction out of the gas operated 11-87. The Super x2 has good reviews in the gun mags, but take their commercial endorsment for what it is worth. Zane __________________ Seven- Six- Two Millimeter....FULL METAL JACKET!!!