Disappointing Buckshot in Rem 870 - Page 2

Old Grump · October 28, 2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

I disagree with the assertion that buckshot patterns tighter with a less restrictive choke. Now I am talking about basic, no-frills, cheap Remington, Federal, Winchester #4, #1, and 00 buck. I've never used the Flight Control ammo. I've patterned all three of my shotguns, using various chokes on each and trying all three sizes of buckshot in each. Without exception, I clearly get the tightest patterns with full choke. That's my experience, but I'd think that with my "sample of three" shotguns, it would hold water.

Robert in the hills of Tennessee

That is why you have to try it in your own gun. My H&R 10 gauge shooting 00 buckshot out of a full choke leaves a hole in the center of the pattern big enough for a large raccoon to walk through unharmed at just 25 yards. Out of my Mossberg 9200 with a full choke it isn't tight but reasonable and at 35 yards will put most shot into a man sized target. My H&R is typical of most my guns and my Mossberg is atypical.

Big Pard · October 29, 2012, 08:24 PM

Generally the larger the shot the more open you want your choke. Experimentation with different sizes, brands, and lengths will be easier than finding out why a particular gun doesn't like a particular load.

BerdanSS · October 29, 2012, 09:13 PM

Most military shotguns that are intended to shoot 00 buck are a fixed cyl. choke. Mine shoots large buckshot and slugs best with a Imp. Cyl. I was always told to never shoot a slug out of anything tighter than a Modified.

All of my factory Mossberg full and X full chokes say "No Steel Shot" right on them. Steel is normally shot with a Cyl-Mod. choke. I have one Hastings Mod. that is specifically marked for steel shot.

Bamashooter · October 30, 2012, 02:44 AM

I have a Remington 870 Express Super Mag 3.5'' 12ga. Ive owned this shotgun since buying it new in 1998. I use a skeet choke when shooting slugs or buckshot and its always performed very well for me.

RMcL · November 18, 2012, 09:50 AM

See:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=506723

springfield 720 · November 18, 2012, 02:29 PM

I believe that if you open the barrel, you will have better luck.. Buckshot should not be mistaken for a slug comparison... They take the bigger barrel opening for the better result..

RMcL · November 18, 2012, 07:28 PM

...tighter choke constrictions have a following in buckshot country.

For example:

http://www.kicks-ind.com/mm5/merchan...ode=BuckKicker

The load used by the OP does not use a flite control wad, but has the pellets stacked in a slightly offset spiral within a 3/4 length shot cup. As a result tighter patterns will require a greater degree of choke.

RMcL · November 19, 2012, 12:04 PM

... with Federal engineer Rochelle Poore, she advised starting with improved cylinder when pattern testing Flite Control buckshot loads and then increasing the choke constriction until patterns began to open.

RMcL · January 31, 2013, 01:10 AM

"I thought I would spring for the good stuff to feed my new 870 supermag waterfowl camo so I picked up a box of Federal Premium 18 ball 00 buckshot with flight control wad."

Everyone answering this post - including me - overlooked the fact that 3.5" Federal Premium 18 pellet 00B rounds do not use the Flite-Control Wad. So the OP should have been advised to try a greater degree of choke.

November 18, 2012, 09:50 AM	#30
RMcL Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 273	What is buckshot? Not what you think... See: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=506723

November 18, 2012, 07:28 PM	#32
RMcL Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 273	On the other hand... ...tighter choke constrictions have a following in buckshot country. For example: http://www.kicks-ind.com/mm5/merchan...ode=BuckKicker The load used by the OP does not use a flite control wad, but has the pellets stacked in a slightly offset spiral within a 3/4 length shot cup. As a result tighter patterns will require a greater degree of choke. Last edited by RMcL; November 19, 2012 at 11:55 AM.

November 19, 2012, 12:04 PM	#33
RMcL Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 273	In my discussions... ... with Federal engineer Rochelle Poore, she advised starting with improved cylinder when pattern testing Flite Control buckshot loads and then increasing the choke constriction until patterns began to open.

October 29, 2012, 08:24 PM	#27
Big Pard Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 191	Generally the larger the shot the more open you want your choke. Experimentation with different sizes, brands, and lengths will be easier than finding out why a particular gun doesn't like a particular load.

October 29, 2012, 09:13 PM	#28
BerdanSS Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Location: to close to other houses Posts: 1,176	Most military shotguns that are intended to shoot 00 buck are a fixed cyl. choke. Mine shoots large buckshot and slugs best with a Imp. Cyl. I was always told to never shoot a slug out of anything tighter than a Modified. All of my factory Mossberg full and X full chokes say "No Steel Shot" right on them. Steel is normally shot with a Cyl-Mod. choke. I have one Hastings Mod. that is specifically marked for steel shot.

October 30, 2012, 02:44 AM	#29
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	I have a Remington 870 Express Super Mag 3.5'' 12ga. Ive owned this shotgun since buying it new in 1998. I use a skeet choke when shooting slugs or buckshot and its always performed very well for me.

November 18, 2012, 02:29 PM	#31
springfield 720 Member Join Date: November 17, 2012 Location: Minn Posts: 60	I believe that if you open the barrel, you will have better luck.. Buckshot should not be mistaken for a slug comparison... They take the bigger barrel opening for the better result..

January 31, 2013, 01:10 AM	#34
RMcL Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 273	"I thought I would spring for the good stuff to feed my new 870 supermag waterfowl camo so I picked up a box of Federal Premium 18 ball 00 buckshot with flight control wad." Everyone answering this post - including me - overlooked the fact that 3.5" Federal Premium 18 pellet 00B rounds do not use the Flite-Control Wad. So the OP should have been advised to try a greater degree of choke.