Lead, 870's and chokes

[Philippe]

Ok gang, I have a new 870 coming and have reading endlessly about which shoots bes out of the 870 12's. I am more of a lead guy than hevi, suppose I just like a challenge. I have a Ventilator on the way and plan to grab either the JH .660 or .665. Anyone else have any suggestions? Does the SSX perform well for anyone using lead? I've seen a few mixed reviews on the SSX but it was all done using hevi shot.

[Gooserbat]

I use lead and the two best chokes from either of my 870's are Sumtoy .658 and Balistic Specialties .655.  For what it's worth a regular unported Undertaker .665 that cost $20 at Bass Pro shoots really really good.

I got my best numbers with an Indian Creek but the patern was super hot in the middle and the outside was lacking so I opted with the other chokes to have a more eaven "hunting" patern.

[Philippe]

Interesting, Im not really looking to have a custom choke made for this gun just yet. Im more or less looking to get a general idea of what folks like off the shelf for the 870's shooting lead.

[bushwhacker]

870 super mag
28" polished barrel
JH .665 and Win 3.5-2-5's
95-115 in 10" @ 40 yds

870 special purpose super mag
23" unpolished barrel
Hastings .650
Win 3.5-2-5 or 6's
100- 120 in 10" @ 40 yds

870 express
21" unpolished barrel
Undertaker .665
Remington premier hevi shot 3-1 5/8- 5's or 6's
130's avg in 10" @ 40 yds
Win 3-1 7/8-5's 90's avg @ 40 yds

[Longshanks]

Ventilator .655 and kicks .655

[BandedSpur]

SSX and IC .665 beat the JH .660 and Ventilator in my 3" 1187 (I know - a little different than your 870) with Winch 3" 6s (1.75 oz, 1.875 oz, and 2 oz). Gray box Winnies did best for me, but I'm hearing great stuff about Fed's new Turkey Thugs.

[Philippe]

Well sofar i have picked up the Haymaker and SSX, I have the Ventilator, JH .660, Bone Collector .667 on order. Soon as i get this barrel spic and span and we get a day near 60 its time to play!

[nyhunter]

all of my 870's shoot really good lead patterns with the kicks .655

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

One of these 6, especially the first 3.

Indian Creek .665
Pure Gold .670
Jelly Head .660
Rhino .660
Kick's GT .655
Ventilator .655

[Longshanks]

One of these 6, especially the first 3.

Indian Creek .665
Pure Gold .670
Jelly Head .660
Rhino .660
Kick's GT .655
Ventilator .655

My experience with my three 870's I turkey hunt with are the more open chokes, the top three, perform much better with HTL. The last two seem to turn the best patterns with Pb. Pb seems to like the tight squeeze out of my 870's. I've heard great Pb results with small diameter chokes such as wrights #3 and ssx. Rhino being so over priced I never considered buying one.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

I have a Ventilator .655 and a Kick's GT .650 and they do pretty good with #6's or #7.5 Lead.

My Indian Creek .665 beats their 10" numbers, every pattern, with every shell.

However, sometimes if you look at 30 Yard and 35 Yard Patterns, it appears that the patterns from those first two chokes are more forgiving, with larger more even pattern coverage.  But at 40 Yards, the IC .665 still reigns supreme for me.

[fsu33952]

I have a 3 inch 870 and shoot the pure gold 670 unported choke with federal shells in either 5s or 6s with filter control wad. They kick like heck but shoot awesome. I got 154 pellets in a ten inch circle the other day. I will take that all day long. That choke was designed for that choke. I could see the wad go down range and bounce off the board and come about half way back.

[Philippe]

Took the gun out in 48 degree drizzly weather and shot the SSX, JH .660, Haymaker sofar. Its going to be a very tough decision just with those three. Also have the Ventilator, TG-150 Bansner SSX and a PG .655 to test still. May pick up the IC and JH .665 just for kicks. Testing mostly with the Thugs and Winny supremes right now. Will be testing White Lightnings later on as well.

[SKFOOTER]

You'll be missing the boat if you don't try the Kick's .655.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

With Lead, I'd try the Jelly Head .660 rather than the .665