I just got this Remington 870 special purpose super magnum at a pawn shop. I think it's an older 870. Does anybody have any experience with these guns for turkeys? It has a 23 inch barrel. Can somebody tell me about this gun and what choke and loads they shoot out of it? Thanks
(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/chott2/Mobile%20Uploads/8E1C6CB1-5993-425F-9A70-B96189C95EE4_zpsmlif4mpw.jpg) (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/chott2/media/Mobile%20Uploads/8E1C6CB1-5993-425F-9A70-B96189C95EE4_zpsmlif4mpw.jpg.html)
Man they shoot any shell good but I like nitros and an indian creek 665 but it's hard to beat some winchesters .. Any winchesters.
Quote from: chott2 on October 08, 2015, 08:59:20 PM
I just got this Remington 870 special purpose super magnum at a pawn shop. I think it's an older 870. Does anybody have any experience with these guns for turkeys? It has a 23 inch barrel. Can somebody tell me about this gun and what choke and loads they shoot out of it? Thanks
(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/chott2/Mobile%20Uploads/8E1C6CB1-5993-425F-9A70-B96189C95EE4_zpsmlif4mpw.jpg) (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/chott2/media/Mobile%20Uploads/8E1C6CB1-5993-425F-9A70-B96189C95EE4_zpsmlif4mpw.jpg.html)
Congratulations. That should make a fine turkey gun for you. I would recommend that you strip that gun down to its basic components and clean everything. I'd recommend that you "deep clean" the bore. That cleaning will allow you to take a good look at everything and make sure all is well. It also allows you to get the gunk out of the fire control unit, bolt assembly and of course the chamber and bore.
I own several 870s and they are fine guns. With proper maintenance they will last several lifetimes. Your camo finish will also help prevent rust on the exterior of your gun.
I have shot quite a variety of chokes and shells through my guns. Currently, if you want to shoot lead, it would be very difficult to find a better shell than the Winchester Long Beard products. Even though your gun has a 3.5" chamber, I'd recommend the 3" shells with either #5 or #6 shot. I prefer the #6 shot and like the 1 7/8 oz. loads. A 3" shell will do all that you need to cleanly kill a turkey at ethical distances of 40 yards or less.
If you would like to shoot tungsten based shot, I'd recommend 3" Hevi-13 shells with 2 oz. of either #6 or #7 shot. They both work exceptionally well and will do the job cleanly and efficiently. I also like the new Magnum Blend shells that have #4, #5 & #7 shot. The Federal 3rd Degree shells are also quite good. Lots of choices and all will work.
I use and recommend the SSX turkey choke in Rem-Choke shotguns. The JEB's chokes are excellent as well. Everyone seems to have a favorite or one that works best in their gun and that's to be expected. There are many good chokes on the market today. Innovation and technology are playing a large part in the development of new products and we'll see more of that.
You may find these 2 articles to be of help http://www.nwtf.org/hunt/article/choking-winchester's-long-beard-xr & http://allaboutshooting.com/article_info.php?articles_id=759
Please let us know what you decide to use and how it works for you. If I may be of any help whatsoever, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Thanks,
Clark
I have had awesome patterns from the jelly head .660, Indian Creek .665, Kicks .660 and H-13 6's and 7's Winchester xtended range 6's and Winchester long beard 5's and 6's .
Polish the barrel....get a Jelly Head .660...and shoot some Hevi 13 3.5 #7....you will not be disappointed
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After a thorough cleaning per Clark's suggestion, mount a set of quality metal sights on the vent rib. I've mounted the Williams Universal Slugger Fire-Sights on a number of turkey guns and for rifle-like sighting and shooting they are hard to beat.
I shoot that very gun and it shoots well with a variety of chokes. Currently I use a Jellyhead choke .660 with Hevi 13 3.5 #7s. It is a winner especially with Burris Fastfire III optics.
Thanks for all the help. Anybody else on here shoot this gun?
I have killed most of my turkeys with an 870 I use a primos tightwad choke tube with magnum blend 3.5 shells. Shoots like a charm out to 50 yds. Great patterns out of this set up. And also gun performs flawlessly. Lightweight and if u want to modify with aftermarket stocks and acc. It's easy. In 3" I use the same choke with mag blends. Longer ago before we had readily available heavy weight ammo I always used 3" Winchester copper plated 6 shot. Shots a bunch of birds out to 35 yds. All with the 870 and a tightwad choke. Hope this help. Ryan
Anybody else shoot this gun?
Got one just like it. Awesome gun has killed many a gobbler. SSX choke and longbeards 3.5 inch #6 works for me.
I use a rhino 660 with Nitro 4x5x7 or Heavy 13. Hope this helps.
I have been shooting an 870 SM for many years. This is a turkey killing machine. I shot nitros and a .660 JH choke with wicked patterns. Last year I started shooting TSS and haven't looked back. I recently swapped the original stock and forearm to a shur shot stock/forearm. If I ever decide to change turkey guns, it will be a 20 g loaded with TSS.
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Quote from: TNTRKYHunter on December 28, 2015, 04:15:31 PM
I have been shooting an 870 SM for many years. This is a turkey killing machine. I shot nitros and a .660 JH choke with wicked patterns. Last year I started shooting TSS and haven't looked back. I recently swapped the original stock and forearm to a shur shot stock/forearm. If I ever decide to change turkey guns, it will be a 20 g loaded with TSS.
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This will e my first year shoot TSS. Can't wait.
To the original poster, keep in mind the shells you shoot are more important than the choke. If you only have so much to spend invest in quality shells Hevi13 in #7s are good for HeviShot and Winchester LBs in #6s are good for lead. I prefer Indian Creek Chokes based on my experience with them.
Thanks for all the help keep it coming.
I have that same gun as well as a 21 inch version and in the longer barrel I have a sumtoy .665 I think it is throws a great pattern with 3 and 3.5 inch hevi 6s so I chose the 3 inch shell for both guns do to less recoil
Im shooting a very similar gun... I use the Hevi Shot .662 choke and i get good patterns with Hevi 13 #7's or Longbeard #5's.... both in 3.5"
Anybody else have this gun?
I've got an 870 with the thumb hole stock, currently using a Comp-n-Choke tube, I have a Sumtoy that I like but didn't switch as I can hardly tell any difference in the patterns between the 2.
There are several shells I've tried, going to try out some of the 3rd degree
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I shoot a Jebs .655 with Nitro 4x5x7 or straight #7.It also shoots well with Rhino .660 and hvy. shot #6 or mag.blend Another plus the older 870's seem to be less finicky with ammo preferences imo. You got a great Turkey gun
Quote from: USMC0331 on December 25, 2015, 07:56:10 PM
I use a rhino 660 with Nitro 4x5x7 or Heavy 13. Hope this helps.
This ^^^^^!! very good results with the Nitro 4x5x7
I agree with what has already been mentioned in this thread multiple times. Get a .660 choke and Nitros. You will not be disappointed!
The Hevi Shot Hevi13 choke with magnum blends.
Great choice I have that exact same gun with thumb hole stock. I tried several different choke and shell combos and and have found that mine loves Indian Creek and hevi shot choke the best. Magnum blend and winchester lb shells will give you some great parterns. If your just wanting to shoot lead shot, the old remmington ventilator choke will throw some great patterns also
I have the same gun in a different camo pattern. It flat out rocks with Hevi 3.5" 2.25 oz #6's or #7's and a Primos Jellyhead .665 choke. I ended up backing off to a Rem SuperFull Hevi approved choke and the Hevi #6's. That combo produces a good, even hunting pattern that will straight up flatten a turkey! IMO, you won't find a better pump shotgun!
After using a .660 gobblin Thunder with Nitros, Hevi-13, and everything else I switched to a JEBS .655 and Longbeard 4s. Awesome awesome patterns. I don't get caught up in the numbers game anymore and I will guarantee you 4s are the way to go.
I have the 870SM and shoot a Ventilator .655/ Win XX 3/2/6's
160's in a 10 @ 40 yds.
*Didnt require after market sights..shoot double beads. Multi-purpose gun so that was important.
*Have a Hevi 13 Choke .662 and some Hevi 3.5/2.25/6's amd Win LB 3.5 6's. Patterning these in the next week or so and will let you know.
+1
Quote from: gophert on October 15, 2015, 11:21:00 PM
Polish the barrel....get a Jelly Head .660...and shoot some Hevi 13 3.5 #7....you will not be disappointed
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