870 21" barrel circa 1990

[Dogwood1972]

I am probably going to give a little more information than necessary but I have searched til I am blue in the face.  I keep hearing about how well "those 870's" pattern.  I can't get mine consistent.  It is only chambered for 3" shells.  I guess the original turkey special.  It took several years and I eventually got comfortable with the old white hevi shot (3-2-6) hulled shells and a .655 kicks choke.  I could get 189 (my personal best).  Several years ago I purchased a case of the old Remington hevi shot 3-2-6 as my back up load.  It was a good price.  Last year was my last with the old white shell, may they rest in peace. 

I have tried at least 6 choke combinations with the Remington hevishot and my best pattern is 98 in a 10" circle.  I have around 7 boxes left and I am probably going to sell those.  Chokes at my disposal are kicks .655, .660, .665, hevishot tube .662, hevishot undertaker, redhead blackout .660.  I have ordered magblends 5,6,7 and 4,5,7.  I am going to buy some straight 7's. 

Please help me narrow down my options.  Also if you know something magical to get those old Remington hevishot loads to shoot I am all ears.  Also barrel has been deep cleaned.

[Philippe]

First off get away from hevi shot garbage and deep cycle an and polish that barrel. Second get yourself a Jellyhead .660 or .665 or something from William at Suntoy. Third grab a box of Winchester Longbearde shells. That gun will shoot 150+ all day long with this combo.

[blueridgegobbler]

That 655 kicks with longbeard 6s will do good

[Dogwood1972]

Barrel has been polished.  As per guidance I have seen on this board.   

[Double B]

I'd try that .665 with Winchester Longbeard XRs in 6's and I bet that 870 will set a personal best. 

[Fieldturkey]

I have the same gun. I shoot a Sumtoy .650 and Hevishot 3" 2oz 7 and it does 220s consistently. Very even 10" and 20" pattern. I've had tighter patterns but the Sumtoy gives me the best overall hunting pattern.

[Farmboy27]

You"ll just have to experiment till you find a good combo.  I'm personally a big fan of sumtoy chokes.  That said, 98 in the 10 ring at 40 will kill birds!  Up until the number counting craze caught on, a lot of folks would have been happy with that.  We have now turned into a cult where if a gun/load doesn't put 200 in 10" then it is sub-par and unuseable.  Can't blame anyone who wants high numbers, but don't forget what this sport is all about!!  get em close and enjoy the show!!!!

[owlhoot]

I would think lots of loads would do better. First starting out with the hevi shot. I used the Remington loaded hevi in 12 and 20 gauge and don't remember doing to well with it. Stayed with lead Federal Grand Slams in 12 and 20 gauge for a few more years until Federal dropped them and went flight control.
Tried the Environmetal loaded hevi in the 20 , then the 12 and now Heavyweight from Federal too.
One heck of a difference.
If all i had were the Remington loaded hevi i would probably not seen the benefits of HTL performance on the old tom turkey.
good luck.

[Izzyjoe]

Those shotguns usually shoot very good patterns, sound like you have a good selection of chokes, I would get a couple boxes of Long beard xr's, in 4,5,6 and try them. But I will also say there's nothing wrong with 98 in the 10", but you can do better.  I have an 870 with a 26" barrel with an old strut stopper 665 choke, and using #6 LB's it'll do 215 in the 10" that's all I need it to do.

[HEVI D]

I have same gun with a lengthened forcing cone. Shoots great with longbeard 4's and mag blend 4,5,&7's using the .662 hevishot tube.