Shooting slugs out of my 870

wess · 01-05-2008, 10:38 PM

Hi everyone, I'm a new shooter/gun owner and i just got my first shot gun...its a remington 870 super mag. It has a screw in choke and the barrell is smooth on the inside. I was told that i cant shoot slugs through my gun untill i get a slug barrell so for now the only thing i can shoot is shot shells. Is this information correct?? My owners manuel dosent say anything about this and i dont want to ruin my new gun.

nathangdad · 01-06-2008, 01:07 PM

Do not fire anything if you have the screw in choke removed thus having the barrel threads exposed as this will ruin the threads. You will get a lot of replies to your question but it is my preference
to only fire slugs from a rifled slug barrel or a smoothbore with a cylinder choke. I expect you will get replies from those with other preferences especially when it comes to sabot and Foster slugs.

samuel · 01-06-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

Do not fire anything if you have the screw in choke removed thus having the barrel threads exposed as this will ruin the threads. You will get a lot of replies to your question but it is my preference
to only fire slugs from a rifled slug barrel or a smoothbore with a cylinder choke. I expect you will get replies from those with other preferences especially when it comes to sabot and Foster slugs.

Is lead really capable of wearing or harming steel,especially since rhe cut threads wouldnt even touch the threads after going through a tighter bore? sam.

texnmidwest · 01-06-2008, 02:45 PM

I think the key thing is to choose an open choke. Plus, I would choose a rifled slug. People shot slugs out of shotguns long before the rifled slug barrel got any notice. When in doubt though, consult a competent gunsmith.

On a side note one can pick up a slug barrel for an 870 for pretty reasonable prices.

nathangdad · 01-06-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuel

Is lead really capable of wearing or harming steel,especially since rhe cut threads wouldnt even touch the threads after going through a tighter bore? sam.

Yes - note the threads are very small. That is,
they are not deep and the threads are very close
together. It does not take much to damage them
and, believe me, you do not want to take a chance. In theory it would not happen but in the real world you could even have a grain of sand find its way to the threads. Just don't ruin your barrel threads.

two-70 · 01-06-2008, 06:10 PM

if ya shoot slugs in it use the improved choke

wess · 01-09-2008, 09:06 PM

Thanks guys for all the good info! I think i will just go buy a slug barrell rather than chance it....I'll have enough fun shooting my shot shells for now. One more question though ....Is it safe to fire any kind of shot shells?? I thought the lead balls in the shell get bigger when you go to buck shot. Sorry if this is a stupid sounding question i'm a nubie

GlockMeister · 01-12-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

Do not fire anything if you have the screw in choke removed thus having the barrel threads exposed as this will ruin the threads. You will get a lot of replies to your question but it is my preference
to only fire slugs from a rifled slug barrel or a smoothbore with a cylinder choke. I expect you will get replies from those with other preferences especially when it comes to sabot and Foster slugs.

Glad I stumbled upon this post and your reply. I have a Mossberg model 500 that i recently converted into a tactical/home defense shotgun. I bought the Mossberg security barrel 18" with cylinder choke, item #90015, see this link>>>>>
O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. - Firearms, Shotguns, Rifles, Accessories, and Precision Machining

I've been wondering if I could safely and effectivly shoot slugs using this barrel and if so, which ones?

Thank you in advance for your reply/ies.

G-Meister

Just make sure whatever shells you shoot are what length the barrel is made to except such as 2 3/4" or 3". Not familiar with the 870.

It should be marked on the barrel or in the manual if you got one with it. Other then that, any load should be fine other then slug due to your choke threads being on the inside of the barrel.
If I'm understanding what I've read so far. That's why I've asked for a confirmation on same for my barrel...

G-Meister

BPierce · 01-23-2008, 06:37 PM

Like 2-70 said use at least an improved cylinder insert. If you don't have one you can just buy an IC insert or get a true cylinder one. As with shot shells be sure your insert is tight. The reason to buy a slug barrel is that it has rifling and will give you much improved accuracy. For an 870 you can even get a barrel with a scope mount cantilevered over the receiver. If you use sabot shells you will have near rifle accuracy up to 150 yards or more.

01-05-2008, 10:38 PM	#1
wess Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: florida Posts: 8	Shooting slugs out of my 870 Hi everyone, I'm a new shooter/gun owner and i just got my first shot gun...its a remington 870 super mag. It has a screw in choke and the barrell is smooth on the inside. I was told that i cant shoot slugs through my gun untill i get a slug barrell so for now the only thing i can shoot is shot shells. Is this information correct?? My owners manuel dosent say anything about this and i dont want to ruin my new gun.

01-06-2008, 01:07 PM	#2
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,226	One suggestion up front Do not fire anything if you have the screw in choke removed thus having the barrel threads exposed as this will ruin the threads. You will get a lot of replies to your question but it is my preference to only fire slugs from a rifled slug barrel or a smoothbore with a cylinder choke. I expect you will get replies from those with other preferences especially when it comes to sabot and Foster slugs.

01-06-2008, 02:45 PM	#4
texnmidwest New Sheriff in Town! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 4,775	I think the key thing is to choose an open choke. Plus, I would choose a rifled slug. People shot slugs out of shotguns long before the rifled slug barrel got any notice. When in doubt though, consult a competent gunsmith. On a side note one can pick up a slug barrel for an 870 for pretty reasonable prices. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

01-06-2008, 06:10 PM	#6
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,783	if ya shoot slugs in it use the improved choke __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

01-09-2008, 09:06 PM	#7
wess Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: florida Posts: 8	Thanks guys for all the good info! I think i will just go buy a slug barrell rather than chance it....I'll have enough fun shooting my shot shells for now. One more question though ....Is it safe to fire any kind of shot shells?? I thought the lead balls in the shell get bigger when you go to buck shot. Sorry if this is a stupid sounding question i'm a nubie

01-23-2008, 06:37 PM	#9
BPierce Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minnesota (Becker County) Posts: 157	Like 2-70 said use at least an improved cylinder insert. If you don't have one you can just buy an IC insert or get a true cylinder one. As with shot shells be sure your insert is tight. The reason to buy a slug barrel is that it has rifling and will give you much improved accuracy. For an 870 you can even get a barrel with a scope mount cantilevered over the receiver. If you use sabot shells you will have near rifle accuracy up to 150 yards or more.