New production 870 youth build

[Marchbrown]

Hey guys I know the subject has been talked to death, but here it goes again. I'm starting an 870 youth build, and right now I've patterned it with federal tss number 9s and a primos tightwad 570 and that put up 225 hits in the 10" at 35.

Don't get me wrong I'm sure this is a killing pattern but part of me wants it tighter and I'm going a bit stir crazy about it. What route do I take next? Forcing cone lengthening is high on my list but I'm not sure if that's the way to go. Maybe a barrel polishing? I'm considering jumping down to a .555 choke but I don't know if that's right either. After season here I'm going to add a fast fire 3 so I'm not super concerned about it being too tight up close, I know personally my shooting skills are better than my range estimation skills in the heat of the moment. Do I need to do anything more?

[PV266]

I've tried several chokes including the titewad and surprisingly settled on a truglo ssx which is .550 with my 21" 870.  I have shot Federal 9's that get around 240 at 40.  I have shot the Remington tss and got around 270 and the Herters and get about the same as the Remingtons.  I was very surprised with my results, but pleased nonetheless.  I am happy with those numbers and don't feel the need for anything more, especially since I take reasonable shots.  So...maybe trying different choke may be your easiest solution other than polishing your barrel.  Good luck

[Greg Massey]

I use a Trulock 565 ... with the 565 you still have a little wiggle room up close ...

[Marchbrown]

I think a choke is where I'm going to go next. Like I said it's a huntable pattern right now I just think I could use a bit tighter. I'm likely going to try a .555 headhunter

[Timmonsgage11]

I shoot a 21" barreled 870 20 gauge. I've shot Indian creek 555 and got 350+. I've shot sumtoy 562 and got 350+. I have shot Turlock 585 and got 300+. I have shot patternmaster code black and got 330+. I have shot jebs 560 and got 300+. All at 40 yards. All with my hand loads of 1 5/8 oz #9's. You have an issue of less than desirable ammo more than anything. 21" 870's are flat shooters

[Ranman]

My 870 20ga has 21" barrel with Carlson's.575, and it shoots 295-310 pellets in 10" @ 40yds. That is with 1 5/8oz handloads. I think you should first polish your barrel and reshoot. Just my opinion, but if you need a different choke, I would open It up, not tighten it.
Randy

[Marchbrown]

I have considered hand loading tss as I'm an avid rifle reloader but i really don't want to explain to the wife that I need to start doing that too. Is federal really the worst of the tss shells? I have buddies that shoot boss and buddies that shoot apex, which camp to you guys recommend crawling into?  Ranman, how often do you have success throwing tighter patterns with a more open choke?

[briton]

I

Tungsten Super Slam brand and Apex MOGL blend does very well out of same gun and choke


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[Marchbrown]

That is a very nice pattern there! The green leaf blend had my interest. How did you go about getting the camo on your rig? Mine has real tree stocks right now but this summer it'll be getting dipped in green leaf

[briton]

It's a mossy oak graphics sheet I ordered off of Amazon. It's pretty much a sticker and a cheap way to camo up a gun, it comes off easy with no residue. I just sent this gun and another to get dipped. The MOGL blend is very good. Apex told me they probably aren't producing anymore specialty blends until later in the year.

[Timmonsgage11]

I can tell you that apex, foxtrot, rogue, or tungsten super shot will ALL do 300+ easy. If you go green leaf blend I recommend the trulock Pinhoti 585 as it threw one hell of a pattern out of my 870. 351 in the 10" and it had nice and even spread over the 20". It was a lights out hunting pattern. If you want a pattern that's dang near to tight Indian creek .555 threw 405 in a 10" at 40 out of my gun. To respond to the polishing comment 870's have been known to shoot best when dirty. I say send a box of nasty cheap lead down the barrel then go pattern your tss. I've been hand loading for years and I've tested all kinds of different combinations. The 870 in the 21" barrel is usually a turn key gun with .555-.585 choke and any of the ammo listed above.

[Marchbrown]

When I bought the federal tss, the store had rouge sitting on the shelf next to it. I'm kinda starting to think I made the wrong choice from what I've heard