Question on 870 sm and chokes?

[Ned]

I have a 870 sm that has a 28in barrel...last year I had a extra full factory turkey choke and win 3.5 extended range shells and missed more turkeys than I'd care to admit.  This year I'm looking to setup right and will be patterning my gun soon.....

Is there any choke shell combo you guys would recommend I try...I've heard about the hevi combo but I'm concerned about extra full chokes and 3.5 shells at like 20yards?  Won't the pattern be just way too tight at that close of range?

I'm just kinds ignorant when it comes to shells and chokes and am looking for some help.

[Curtdawg88]

Look into a JellyHead .660 and Hevi 13 #6 or 7.

[nyhunter]

you need to figure out why or what is causing the missed shots because when you put a choke and good loads in it your gonna make that gun shoot even tighter yet. So deep clean the barrel. Then see where its hitting, use  large 30x30 paper or cardboard to see if your POA and POI are the same. The xtended range shells are really good so i dont think there the problem.

[flayer]

put a scope on that cannon a let them turkeys see what think of that. you will find where the problem is at. 

[Ned]

I have a scope on it...when. Sighted it in I didn't shoot up close last year like an idiot...but at 40 yards it was good...after the misses I checked and the scope was still sighted in...I'm not saying it wasn't the shooter cause i could have choked...I just think the pattern is way too tight at 15 to 25 yards...I'm going to try a couple different loads with this extra full factory choke and go from there...


How many pellets in a 10in circle should you have at 20 yards, 30 yards, and then at 40???

[RemingtonRules]

Since your problem is up close misses and not getting the birds up close go with a more open choke.  Try a Pure Gold and steady those nerves.  If your trigger is too firm you may want to change out the trigger spring.

[Lunchbox]

Look into a JellyHead .660 and Hevi 13 #6 or 7.

x2. Jellyheads work very well with 870s(most times)

[flayer]

trigger work could help you if your pumped up when they get close, would help with the snatching of trigger pulling point of impact off. 20 to 25 yards some chokes will be tight,softball size point of impact. good luck and keep shooting

[VaTuRkStOmPeR]

Calm. Down.

Shoot below the wattles when they are in tight.

And it sounds like you need to shoot more often!

[Ned]

Yes, definitely going t pattern my gun this year...I'm not going to act like I don't get excited but nerves wasn't the case n missing those birds...I've killed several and never before the extended range and the extra full choke did I start...I used to kill them with a 410!  I probably am over inking this and need to pattern my gun and yes shoot more often..

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Ned,

I can tell you through personal experience that the Rem Xtra full choke may indeed be part of the problem.  I had one that came with my 870 Express turkey gun and it shot pretty lousy patterns at 40yds.  I gave the dang thing away.  But having said that, that choke isn't going to hurt you any at 20yds when it comes to missing a turkey.  That is something you will need to work on and not the gun more than likely.  But get you a good choke like a Pure Gold .670 or Indian Creek .670 and shoot some good loads like Hevi-13 3.5" 2.225 oz #7's and I think you will be on the right path to super killer patterns.