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Turkey Guns & Shooting => Turkey Guns => Topic started by: adeichold on March 30, 2021, 08:55:33 AM

Title: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: adeichold on March 30, 2021, 08:55:33 AM
My model 870 shoots significantly to the right. Probably 7-10 inches at 25 yards. I bought Truglo adjustable gobble dot sights, but they do not have enough windage to correct completely. It is close, but not quite there. Has anyone experienced this before? Is there a fix available? I could just buy a red dot, but wanted to discuss first. Thanks
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: USMC0331 on March 30, 2021, 09:13:32 AM
Have a few 870s but have not had that problem. Make sure barrel is all the way in place, magazine tube cap is on snug and that your choke tube is fully seated. If that does not help see if there is another adjustable rear sight that has more windage capability.  If that doesn't work you may have to pit a red dot on it.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: Rapscallion Vermilion on March 30, 2021, 10:01:59 AM
If you haven't already done so, try a different choke.  It is possible the barrel is bent, or if it has screw in chokes it has been threaded cockeyed, or the choke is not bored straight. If the barrel is bent enough to throw the shot off that much, it should be visible by pulling the barrel and looking through to see if everything is concentric, with and without the choke in.  Barrels can be bent by a gunsmith with the right tools. 

If the Truglo sight is getting you close, the effective windage adjustment you get is increased by moving the rear sight closer to the muzzle.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: adeichold on March 30, 2021, 11:48:10 AM
Very good point of moving the rear sight forward. I did not think of that. I changed to the current barrel about 10 years ago, but if i recall correctly, the original barrel that came with the gun also shot right. I'm wondering if somehow the issue is with how the barrel sits in the action. Not sure that makes sense considering the sights are on the barrel itself though.

Regardless, I think I'm just going to put a red dot on it and call it quits.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: Rapscallion Vermilion on March 30, 2021, 11:52:38 AM
Quote from: adeichold on March 30, 2021, 11:48:10 AM
Regardless, I think I'm just going to put a red dot on it and call it quits.
That's the best solution.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: Turkeytider on March 31, 2021, 08:54:40 AM
Quote from: adeichold on March 30, 2021, 11:48:10 AM
Very good point of moving the rear sight forward. I did not think of that. I changed to the current barrel about 10 years ago, but if i recall correctly, the original barrel that came with the gun also shot right. I'm wondering if somehow the issue is with how the barrel sits in the action. Not sure that makes sense considering the sights are on the barrel itself though.

Regardless, I think I'm just going to put a red dot on it and call it quits.

They solve POA/POI issues for sure. I`d never used an optic for anything until a few seasons back. Now I`d personally be uncomfortable hunting turkey without one.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: buck_hunter21 on March 31, 2021, 09:18:55 AM
I bought my 870 brand new over 10 years ago and had this issue from day one. It did not matter what choke ammo combo I used, POI was always off to the right.

Solution: red dot.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: afhunter1 on March 31, 2021, 11:14:38 PM
Shoot it without a choke tube.  If it shoots straight probably choke thread job is bad.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: lowoctane on April 01, 2021, 08:23:14 AM
Quote from: afhunter1 on March 31, 2021, 11:14:38 PM
Shoot it without a choke tube.  If it shoots straight probably choke thread job is bad.

X2!
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: Ihuntoldschool on April 02, 2021, 01:53:50 AM
You'll ruin your barrel listening to some of these guys on here.  Do not ever under any circumstances shoot it without a choke tube in place.  You will damage your threads easily.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: captpete on April 02, 2021, 07:34:54 AM
Quote from: Ihuntoldschool on April 02, 2021, 01:53:50 AM
You'll ruin your barrel listening to some of these guys on here.  Do not ever under any circumstances shoot it without a choke tube in place.  You will damage your threads easily.

That is exactly what I thought also.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: g8rvet on April 02, 2021, 02:25:16 PM
I had a Benelli Nova that did this.  I tried every potential fix and it was way off. I got rid of the gun. 

Make sure that front end cap is good and tight. Different choke.  If still off, red dot or sell it and get a different gun.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: the Ward on April 02, 2021, 02:38:58 PM
Just a thought, but are you adjusting the rear sight in the proper direction? I did that once, and couldn't figure out why it was shooting more and more off no matter how far i moved it. Then it dawned on me what i was doing. It happens!
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: afhunter1 on April 02, 2021, 08:42:39 PM
Quote from: Ihuntoldschool on April 02, 2021, 01:53:50 AM
You'll ruin your barrel listening to some of these guys on here.  Do not ever under any circumstances shoot it without a choke tube in place.  You will damage your threads easily.

"Shooting the threads" is a very common practice in clays games.  100% safe and if you see my name post something you can be sure it's fact.  I don't post if I don't know.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: Which Gun on April 02, 2021, 09:10:31 PM
Yelp I've seen it done shooting skeet. Did not hurt the threads.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: Which Gun on April 04, 2021, 06:21:49 PM
Did you try it with no chokes?
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: adeichold on April 04, 2021, 10:15:42 PM
Quote from: the Ward on April 02, 2021, 02:38:58 PM
Just a thought, but are you adjusting the rear sight in the proper direction? I did that once, and couldn't figure out why it was shooting more and more off no matter how far i moved it. Then it dawned on me what i was doing. It happens!

Yep, sight is going the right direction. I know, sometimes it is the obvious
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: adeichold on April 04, 2021, 10:22:22 PM
Quote from: Which Gun on April 04, 2021, 06:21:49 PM
Did you try it with no chokes?

I have not had a chance yet. I'm pretty much set on just getting a red dot, but I may do it just as a test. Will report back if I do. Thanks
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: Turkeytider on April 05, 2021, 11:14:20 AM
Quote from: adeichold on April 04, 2021, 10:22:22 PM
Quote from: Which Gun on April 04, 2021, 06:21:49 PM
Did you try it with no chokes?

I have not had a chance yet. I'm pretty much set on just getting a red dot, but I may do it just as a test. Will report back if I do. Thanks

Just get the dot. You`ll be glad you did, believe me.
Title: Re: Model 870 shoots right
Post by: Which Gun on April 22, 2021, 07:25:44 AM
What was the final outcome