starting over

[Preacher]

Well after some where around 30 years of using the same gun ( an 870 wingmaster mag.) this season I passed it along to my son and started using another old school 870 '

specs are
26in. barrel
3in. chamber
threaded for rem choke

I got a few questions I need some help with

1.  due to eye shight getting worse instead of better I am going with a scope   I am thinking a 2x7 x32 leupode:   what do you suggest

2.   I am looking for 200 hits in a 10 in. circle  at 40 yards is this reasonible?   if not whats a good number,  not trying to shoot past 40 just want a good pattern.

3.   what about hand loads,   I am really looking hard at 2.75in, shells

4.  I am willing to look at any of the tube/shell combos.   my old faithful load has dropped off in quality,   what do you suggest?

[allaboutshooting]

First of all, I applaud your choice of the 870 with the 3" chamber and 26" barrel. I think you have the basis of an excellent turkey gun.

Leupold scopes do have good light gathering characteristics and have about 4" of eye relief. For actual hunting, I would not want more than 4 power and 2 power is probably better. The small objective lens will allow you to mount the scope low and close to the bore. I like Millet steel windage adjustable rings.

If you could find a Simmons Diamond Reticle scope, in either 2 power or 4 power "fixed" that's also an excellent choice. They are tough scopes and also have 4"+ of eye relief and the diamond reticle serves as a range finder as well.

I find that the 3" Hevi-13 shells with 2 oz. of shot, #6 or #7 if that's legal where you hunt, is an excellent turkey load. The #6 should get you in the 180 range but the #7 load will certainly put you well over the 200 count. Either one should do the trick at 40 yards.

I do not know of any 2.75" commercial loads that will put those kinds of numbers up consistently.

There are of course many choices in chokes and everyone seems to have a favorite. I try to shoot them all and find that many will work quite well, some better than others and some in one gun better than another.

I spend a lot of time at the range with different guns, chokes and shells. Currently, I'm seeing some excellent patterns with the Hevi-13 turkey choke, the SSX and the new Pure Gold .660 turkey choke. I don't know that I could find 3 more different designs but they all work very well.

Lastly, regardless of which choke or shell you choose, I recommend that before you take that gun to the range for the first time, you invest some time in the "deep cleaning" process. Even after all these years of deep cleaning barrels, I am still surprised and the amount of "gunk" that is in a brand new barrel.

I just deep cleaned a new BPS barrel today, actually I started on it yesterday, and it had so much gunk left it in even after it appeared to be clean and shiny.

Best of luck to you with your new gun and I hope you enjoy the process of getting it just right.

Thanks,
Clark

[nyhunter]

2 of my friends have the Nikon turkey scope on there guns and love them they are on sale right now at Natchez. 200 is definitely  obtainable with 3" shells not sure about 2.75". i personally like the jell head in my870 it does very good with 3" H-13 #6's. good luck

[wisconsinteacher]

My 3" 870 shoots in the 180s with Hevi Shot #6 at 40 yards with a SumToy choke.  I am going to get some #7s when I am out of the 6s.

[jim570]

I have an 870 that I bought about 30 years ago.  Never have used it very much. Just started turkey hunting a few years ago.  This gun would not throw good patterns with the Remington turkey choke or a Kick's .665 that I bought.

Bought a Tru Glo SSX .643 from Allaboutshooting and now get 244 in a 10 in. circle at 40 yards shooting Heavy 13 3 in. #7 shot.  Barrell is 20 in. long.

The Tru Glo SSX costs about half the price of a Pure Gold.  Give Allaboutshouting a PM.  He will take care of you.

[lowoctane]

I have an 870 that I bought about 30 years ago.  Never have used it very much. Just started turkey hunting a few years ago.  This gun would not throw good patterns with the Remington turkey choke or a Kick's .665 that I bought.

Bought a Tru Glo SSX .643 from Allaboutshooting and now get 244 in a 10 in. circle at 40 yards shooting Heavy 13 3 in. #7 shot.  Barrell is 20 in. long.

The Tru Glo SSX costs about half the price of a Pure Gold.  Give Allaboutshouting a PM.  He will take care of you.

X2---Allaboutshooting!!!

[chaz_Z7]

i got a 870 sps with a 23 barrel and im getting 190 to 215 with3 inch hevi 13 2oz 6s with a hevi 13 662 choke also a indian creek 665

[honker22]

I think I can help.  I shoot the same gun and have shot Hevi and handloads.  PM sent