Trouble Chambering New Buckshot Shells

300magman · October 25, 2011, 10:09 AM

Anyone ever have trouble chambering a box of factory shells before? My new (as of 1 year ago, Rem 870) has worked very well so far. Today however I opened a box of new 3.5" magnum federal 18 ball 00 buck and was surprised at how difficult they were to load into the tube....it really took some wiggling and pushing. Then when I went to chamber them, there was some obvious resistance there as well, but the action did close.

I'm wondering if I am going to run into any over pressure issues or difficult extraction when I go to set one of them off.

Any oppinions?

(And yes, my gun does have a 3.5" chamber, its stamped on the gun and fires BlackCloud in that length just fine)

hogdogs · October 25, 2011, 10:45 AM

Since llast 3.5 use, how much 2 3/4 and 3 inch use? Could it possibly be some fouling in the chamber area where shorter shells layed down a build up?

Brent

TheKlawMan · October 25, 2011, 10:51 AM

Fouling in the chamber wouldn't affect loading the tube. Is this an 870 Express and what is the capacity of the magazine?

hogdogs · October 25, 2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Anyone ever have trouble chambering a box of factory shells before

No one has mentioned trouble packin' the tube...

Brent

TheKlawMan · October 25, 2011, 12:26 PM

hogdogs, This is what the op said about loading the tube.

Quote:

was surprised at how difficult they were to load into the tube....it really took some wiggling and pushing.

Dave McC · October 25, 2011, 05:27 PM

Give the mag tube a good cleaning and lube. Retry those long shells....

300magman · October 26, 2011, 12:06 PM

The gun is actually the waterfowl/turkey combo, digital camo finish, 26" barrel, several chocks (thats what makes it the "combo", Not two barrels) its one of the more expensive 870s -> whether or not they have better finish/quality control than the basic Express versions might be debateable.

As for use, the gun really hasn't had that much, and it has less than a dozen shells through it since its last full cleaning ... brass on the new buckshot just seems slightly oversized, and particularly sharp lipped.

I hate to do it at $4/shell, but I may have to set one off, just to see if they will extract reliably in the field.....hopefully there is no overpressure issue, but since I have become a reloader (rifle only) and seen some examples of what people have done wrong and the resulting damage, I think I have become a touch over cautious with all things firearm related.

columbia_shotguneer · October 27, 2011, 09:00 PM

I have had problems with Remington express value packs but I found my chamber was rough in the area nearest to throat. Got it polished up abit in that singleshot H&R of mine. The rest of my shotguns function fine with any brand including the Remmy's.

Couzin · October 28, 2011, 10:03 AM

Is the plug in place? I've heard of some issues with the plug length preventing a second 3-1/2" round in the magazine. Supposed to hold three (3-1/2") in the magazine tube w/o the plug. Maybe the buck rounds you have are a little long?

October 25, 2011, 10:09 AM	#1
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	Trouble Chambering New Buckshot Shells Anyone ever have trouble chambering a box of factory shells before? My new (as of 1 year ago, Rem 870) has worked very well so far. Today however I opened a box of new 3.5" magnum federal 18 ball 00 buck and was surprised at how difficult they were to load into the tube....it really took some wiggling and pushing. Then when I went to chamber them, there was some obvious resistance there as well, but the action did close. I'm wondering if I am going to run into any over pressure issues or difficult extraction when I go to set one of them off. Any oppinions? (And yes, my gun does have a 3.5" chamber, its stamped on the gun and fires BlackCloud in that length just fine)

October 27, 2011, 09:00 PM	#8
columbia_shotguneer Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2011 Location: ne florida Posts: 148	I have had problems with Remington express value packs but I found my chamber was rough in the area nearest to throat. Got it polished up abit in that singleshot H&R of mine. The rest of my shotguns function fine with any brand including the Remmy's. __________________ living in FL but my home's in alabama! From Squirrel to Elephant, the Shotgun is your gun. sincerely, Blain

October 25, 2011, 10:45 AM	#2
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Since llast 3.5 use, how much 2 3/4 and 3 inch use? Could it possibly be some fouling in the chamber area where shorter shells layed down a build up? Brent

October 25, 2011, 10:51 AM	#3
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	Fouling in the chamber wouldn't affect loading the tube. Is this an 870 Express and what is the capacity of the magazine?

October 25, 2011, 05:27 PM	#6
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Give the mag tube a good cleaning and lube. Retry those long shells....

October 26, 2011, 12:06 PM	#7
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	The gun is actually the waterfowl/turkey combo, digital camo finish, 26" barrel, several chocks (thats what makes it the "combo", Not two barrels) its one of the more expensive 870s -> whether or not they have better finish/quality control than the basic Express versions might be debateable. As for use, the gun really hasn't had that much, and it has less than a dozen shells through it since its last full cleaning ... brass on the new buckshot just seems slightly oversized, and particularly sharp lipped. I hate to do it at $4/shell, but I may have to set one off, just to see if they will extract reliably in the field.....hopefully there is no overpressure issue, but since I have become a reloader (rifle only) and seen some examples of what people have done wrong and the resulting damage, I think I have become a touch over cautious with all things firearm related.

October 28, 2011, 10:03 AM	#9
Couzin Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Location: Terrell, Texas Posts: 240	Is the plug in place? I've heard of some issues with the plug length preventing a second 3-1/2" round in the magazine. Supposed to hold three (3-1/2") in the magazine tube w/o the plug. Maybe the buck rounds you have are a little long?