rem 870 express vs. rem 870 express super magnum

[marty905]

Hi im new here and i got a couple of questions..

1.whats the diffrence between rem 870 express and rem 870 express super magnum...does the super magnum only shoot magnum loads and the normal one only shoots non magnum loads?

2.can both the rem 870 express and rem 870 express super magnum shoot buckshot and slugs and what chokes do you need to shoot them.

thanks.

[steveno]

the super mag is chambered for 3.5 inch shotshells. they will probably kick and hurt like the dickens

[Dfariswheel]

In order.
1. The Express is chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" shells. The Super Magnum will shoot 3 1/2" shells.

You can shoot 2 3/4", 3", and 3 1/2" shells in the Super, but only 2 3/4" and 3" in the standard Express.

2. You can shoot any shot, buckshot, and standard slug in any standard choke from Improved cylinder to Full.

For best results, you have to shoot the chosen shot or slug in THAT particular gun, since all guns and brand/types of loads will be different.

IN GENERAL, most people report best results with buckshot and slugs in an Improved Cylinder barrel.
Again, different guns will give different results, and with different brands of shells.

In "the real world", the Super Magnum is a specialty gun, mostly useful for hunting geese and other high-flying game birds.
Since recoil is INTENSE, it actually may REDUCE actual effectiveness when used for other purposes.

For most applications from hunting to home defense, the 2 3/4" is actually the shell of choice.

[marty905]

so even if you use 3" shells in the super magnum they will kick more then 3" shells in the standart express?

or does the super magnum use diffrent type of 3" shells?

[ghostdoc]

I'm pretty sure everything is the same except the Super Magnum will take the 3 1/2" shells. It will also take the smaller shells. I have never even used a 3 1/2" shell in mine. I just put a Remmy replacement barrel (20", IC, smooth bore, deer sights) on my Super Mag. It fits just fine. That said, I'll let you know if it KB's on me. At least I think I will. Just kidding I'm sure it's fine. Good luck. gd

[marty905]

so then the 870 super mag is realy better then the reguler 870 express?

and that means it can shoot all 12 guage rounds right? even if they are not magnum? like target loads?

[steveno]

if you want to shoot 3.5 inch shells yes it is better however I would shoot one first. 3.5 inch shells are NOT any fun or for that matter 3 inch shells aremuch fun either. 3.5 inch shells also cost more

[marty905]

can both the super mag and standard 870 shoot steel shot?

and the super mag only has more recoil only wen it shoots 3 1/2" shells right?

and can the 870 Express Synthetic Super Magnum Turkey use interchangeable chokes? becuase the 870 express turkey camo cant.

[steveno]

both guns are good for steel shot. the difference in recoil will be the 3.5 inch shell. I think there are 3.5 inch shells with 2 ounces of lead shot and supposed to be for turkey hunting and I think these would be down right miserable. it is the pattern a shotgun shoots that kills and not the amount of shot. Personally I don't see the reason for the 3.5 inch shell and with the new hevi-shot loads I'm hard pressed to think of a reason for 3 inch shells also. I think that all choke tubes in Remingtons are interchangeable if they are the same gauge

[marty905]

ok thanks for all your replys.... i think ill be gettin a 870 express super magnum turkey synthetic... i probebly wont use 3.5" shells but i might need them some time...

[oldjad01]

There should be a weight difference: the super magnum has to be heavier than the std 3" magnum. That would affect the recoil making the felt recoil of the 2 3/4" and 3" shells less in the super magnum. It could aslo affect your choice based on how much weight you want to carry in the field and how slow and heavy handling do you want in a shotgun. Jim