[Renegade]

I would like to thank everyone for their input, that I recieved to my other thread. This is my first shotgun, ever. I bought the 870 Express Magnum Combo 12 gauge, came with a 26" vent rib barrel w/modified choke and 20" fully rifled slug barrel. Breaking the gun down was much easier than putting it back together what a PITA! This is more than likely due to my newbie status:) . Took a 100 rounds of Winchester 2 3/4" shells loaded with 1 1/8oz of 7 1/2 shot. Decided to try shooting some hand thrown single clays. First 25 shells hit 3 "birds":( . Man did I totally suck!!! I was extremley impressed with the 870, the gun felt very well balanced and the action was alot smoother than I thought it would be. Second round had a better idea of what I "needed" to do, stop aiming as if it was a rifle! This time around I greatly improved my "score" broke 11 birds and some were with a follow up shot after I missed with the first shot. I was getting better and gaining some confidence. After letting the barrel cool and checking the choke tube to make sure is was still snug in the barrel, it was time for round three:ohyeah: . I was getting in the groove! I was smokin' those birds! Rackin'-n-Crackin', then a hicup, after a quick follow up shot, the slide wouldn't come back to eject the shell:horror:. I done messed up my latest addition. Gave it a few minutes to let it cool down before attempting anything. Just for gp's I decided to try and rack the slide one more time, bingo, eject one fired shell. In all the excitement of me doing well I didn't allow the barrel any time to cool down between shots. IIM (idiot induced malfunction). Beside the IIM this shotgun functioned flawlessly. Recoil was way less than my '06, then again I was using target loads. For a first time shotgunner the 870 is very hard to beat.

Later,

Dave

[Richard J.]

Renegade, I'm glad you enjoyed your outing with the 870. Let me offer you a small piece of advice: Brownell's sells a choke tube removal wrench that is much better than the one supplied by Remington. Get it.
Having shot 870's for more than 30 years, I think you'll come to really like it a lot. Wait 'till you see how smooth the action gets after you've run 5 to 10K rounds through it!

BTW, as a matter of general information, pump actions are succeptible to "short stroking;" that is, pumping it enough to eject the empty and cock the firing pin but not quite enough to pick up the next shell and chamber it. Train yourself to always pull the pump back until it stops, no matter how fast you're shooting, and this will eliminate that problem.

[Redrum]

Amen tot he shirt stroking...I find myself doing that on occasion during a match...Ends up costing me 2- 3 secs each time wondering what the heck is going on!! I have to work on getting the stroke all the way forward and all the way back. Amazing how much better it works that way!!:lol::lol::lol:

[Don45cal]

The 870 runs much better lubed up!! Great report!! Enjoy! :wine:

[Renegade]

I'm definitely going to get the wrench. That "T" wrench isn't that great.

Later,

Dave

[Mike Weber]

Sounds like you're gonna enjoy your new scattergun. Those Winchester AA loads are what I shoot for target loads when I'm not shooting Blackpowder handloads. Handthrown clays are a tough target and you did well especially for your first try. Machine thrown clays are generally much easier dur to their flight path being more predictable. If you're doing that well with hand thrown targets you'll be busting plenty of birds when hunting season comes.

[Renegade]

I've been thinking about looking into getting one of those. Any particular brand better than another?

Later,

Dave

[Mike Weber]

Trius makes a pretty good thrower, I believe Cabela's has them. I'm thinking about getting one for myself this spring so I don't have to drive all the way to the range to bust a few clays.

[Renegade]

I wouldn't be dependant on having someone available to go to the range with me when I want to shoot some clays. Just means making another trip to the asphalt assault vehicle to get all my stuff.

Later,

Dave

[combat effective]

You made a good choice. I have an 870 Express Magnum as well. I need to do a little tweaking to the forearm assembly to clean up a slightly dragging action, but other than that it is great. I really like my 870P as well. It has a very nice action.

I'm going to go against the grain here a little on the choke wrench. You should only be putting the tube in finger tight. You should also put some oil on the threads of the tube with each cleaning. Make sure the tube is tight every so often during a shooting session by checking it with your finger AFTER MAKING SURE THE GUN IS CLEAR/UNLOADED, If you torque it down with the wrench you can damage the threads making it very difficult to install/remove the tubes. Also, if it is too tight, the threading can get damaged as the barrel heats up during extended firing. Be sure to make sure the tube remains tight or else you can shoot the tube out of the end of your barrel.

One tip for hitting thee clay pigeons it to hit them on their upward flight or when they apex before falling. Once they start falling it will be very hard to catch up with them. Also make sure to keep the barrel swinging with the target (follow through). Your shot string is 3D due to some of the shot dragging along the sides of the barrel and the different placement of shot in the shells.

[Renegade]

I didn't torque on it, barrel was a little warm, so I used the "T" wrench. You do make a very well taken point.

Later,

Dave

[Eric of Indiana]

I've got one of the Trius "One Steps". It's a very good thrower, very consistant. Actually, it's almost too consistant. We used it to throw a full box of clays not too long after I got it. All of the ones we missed landed within a 30 foot circle. It's great for your ego, but I'm not too sure how much help it is getting ready for grouse/quail/duck season.

Congradulations on your new 870. I've been looking at those combos, but there always seems to be something else that comes up, like rent, and food. :rolleyes:
Eric

[Renegade]

I really like my 870. Haven't tried the slug barrel as of yet. Looking forward to shooting some slugs, I'm sure the recoil will be pretty brutal. Any suggestions on what slugs to get to start of with? The barrel is fully rifled.

Later,

Dave

[combat effective]

You should get some sabot slugs. Don't get the rifled kind.

Shotgun recoil isn't all that bad if you mount it in the pocket correctly.

[Renegade]

Are the sabot slugs generally more acurate? What about forester slugs?

Later,

Dave

[combat effective]

Foster slugs are rifled slugs, andthe rifling on the slug will not match up with the rifling in your barrel. The sabot slugs should be plenty accurate. They have a slug encased in a piece of plastic. The plastic catches the rifling.

[Rabbi]

I can really vouch for Federal Super Slug sabots. They have the traditional "petalled" plastic sabot and a Barnes .50 caliber pure copper hollow point. The accuracy out to two hundred yards is phenomenal. They are pricey, as in almost two bucks apiece around here but for a whitetail or other trophy, they are worth it. I once got a deal on forty rounds of these Feds and used six to sight in my 870. I still have about twenty five of them.

They also kick like an angry jack mule.

I too, think you will come to love that 870 more as the years and the gun wear on.

Good shooting,

Doc

[Renegade]

So, sabot slugs it is. Now, what are the effective range for slugs? Should I sight in for 50 or 100yds?


Later,

Dave

[Rabbi]

Dave,

I had my 870 sighted off sandbags at 100 yards. It's been a few years but IIRC, there was only about an inch of drop at two hundred. To reach the ammo's potential, you need a scope but at 100 yards the irons work fine. I haven't been there in a while but Fed's website used to give the ballistic tables for all their ammo, both metallic and buck/slugs.

Doc

[Renegade]

Thanks. I'll be checking that out.

Later,

Dave

[catfishsr]

combat efective
i agrea with you about finger tight only on choke tubes but i use a small amount of antiseze on the threads (copper works best).i applie it after degreasing threads of barrle and tube,use a cuetip and apllie very lightly. i shoot alot of skeet ,some times as much 300/400 rnds in weekend ,never had trouble removeing tube.:blowup:

[Renegade]

Would that be the same antiseze they sell at auto parts stores? If so I think I have some here at the house and I'll try that this weekend.

Later,

Dave

[combat effective]

I've just been putting oil on the threads when cleaning, but thanks for tip. I hadn't thought of that. I don't shoot the shotties a much as I do the handguns, but I'm planning to get more into the shotgun game at the club.

[catfishsr]

renagad
yes it is the stuff you can get at the auto parts store. the best is the cooper antisez ,it works at higher tempertaures and only use it spareingly.tip clean the tubes threads and barrle threads of all oil first.applie with cuetip then hand tighten it into barrle as tight as you can,hand preassure only .

[Renegade]

I got some. I'll give the threads a good de-oiling tomorrow and apply some antisez before I go to the range.

Later,

Dave

[combat effective]

....and check it every so often while you are shooting to make sure that it is still finger tight after first making sure the gun is clear.

[Renegade]

I've been checking it every 2-3 rounds when I shoot it. I firgure that's a pretty good habit to develop.

Later,

Dave

[catfishsr]

renagad
that is agood habit to develop. i went out sat. (yesterday )and wenr through 175 ruonds in my trap gun ,when i broke it down last night to clean it the tube came right out like always. i am on my way now to shoot skeet same gun .i also use snake oil in my guns stuff works great.