need advice for 3" 870 express rem.

[cluck]

I discovered this past week that 3" federal #6 copper plated 2 oz. don't patternen nearly as good with a extra full rem. as they did several years ago. I have noticed that many on this forum say they don't make them the same as they use to. I may have gotten some of the newer ones maybe. Anybody out there have good choke/shell combination for this 3" 870 12 gage express? Want to stay with #6 lead, 2 oz. This relationship with extra full choke and shell has been great for many years but something got to change. She's not doing her part any longer. This missouri boy can't live like this any longer!!!Any advice will sure be apricated. She's taken a many a gobler and walked many miles with me. I really like this forum.     Thanks   cluck

[surehuntsalot]

if you used those shells years ago and have just recently bought some new ones,the new ones are going to be different,the new ones have a different wad in them called "flightcontrol "
these are going to shoot different than your old shells through that choke tube
I have good results with a standard "factory full" choke tube using the lead flightcontrol shells

hopes this might help some

[BandedSpur]

With your current choke, I would try Winch shells. They make them in 1.75 oz (High Velocity), 1.875 oz (Super X), and 2 oz (XX). The 1.875 oz loads are a great deal at Walmart if you can find them ($6-8/box) and pattern as well as the more expensive shells ($15/bx) in many guns. You may need a tigher choke tube, depending on your hunting style. I've had excellent success with IC .665 as well as SSX .643 with those shells.

[cluck]

surehuntsalot and bandedspur: Thanks for information. I found a Hastings .665 non-ported choke yesterday and shot 2 oz, 1 7/8, 1 3/4 oz loads of federal but not good patterns. Only 60 to 70 hits in a ten inch circle at 40 yds. Found some winchester Supreme 2oz # double x Magnums,#6 x123mxct6. They put 115 hits in a 12 inch circle. Over 80 in ten inch. Better but looking for more. Might try the Win. in the Rem. extra full tommorow. Any more suggestion that I could try?       Thanks a many,    cluck

[surehuntsalot]

you are going to have to tinker around some with some different choke tubes
those 2oz Winchester XX magnum shells are just about as good as they get in lead turkey shells,now the trick is to match the right choke for your gun to those shells


good luck and have alot of fun

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

My 870 was picky with Lead too.  I've gotten my best patterns with an Indian Creek .665 Choke, and 1.75 to 2 Ounces of #5 or #6 commercial Lead loads, or my reloads of #4x6x7.5 Lead.  My Reload of #4x5x6x7.5 Lead likes a Ventilator .655 choke better.

I do not like the flitecontrol wad.  It was an attempt to side step the necessity of aftermarket turkey chokes for tight patterns, which sounds good, but not everyone can get their gun to pattern them well.  Might be good for long range Steel Shot or Buckshot patterns, but not for Turkey loads.  YMMV.