AMMO QUESTION

[OC Buckeye]

Hello fellow gun lovers, new to the forum here. Just bought a new remington 870 and want to break it in. Are 7.5 target loads a good idea? This may sound stupid, please forgive me, but, are all 12 gauge rounds the same except for the size of the shot? Thanks for any help.

[Hayashi Killian]

Any target loads are fine from 7.5 to 8.5.

Size of shot is a big one, but so is powder charge based upon shot size and weight. Note that birdshot is also measured on overall weight of the load within the shell. Otherwise, typically all non-slug shells are the same except for shot size.

[DJBSR]

I would recommend staying with lead shot. Call me old school but I'm still afraid of steel shot, won't shoot it in my 95 year old model 12.

[cgseanp1]

Hello fellow gun lovers, new to the forum here. Just bought a new remington 870 and want to break it in. Are 7.5 target loads a good idea? This may sound stupid, please forgive me, but, are all 12 gauge rounds the same except for the size of the shot? Thanks for any help.

All 12 guage rounds aren't the same. You got 2 3/4", 3" and 3 1/2" shells. Then you got size of the shot, amount of shot, and amount of powder.

[cgseanp1]

I would recommend staying with lead shot. Call me old school but I'm still afraid of steel shot, won't shoot it in my 95 year old model 12.

If your gun is 95 years old, then it is old school.

[MossbergMan]

Break that new 870 in with the cheap birdshot. 7, 7.5 or #8,2.5 or 3 dram ,2 3/4" birdshot shot shells. Fire a bunch and then clean it well. Lube it as per the manual. Repeat as...much as you want/can afford
Enjoy your new gun and welcome!

[Swatguy10_15]

ha! go get some 3" slugs and go pound the heck out of something downrange...Break in for a shotgun???? ha not neccessary.theyre tough!

[Creampuff]

ha! go get some 3" slugs and go pound the heck out of something downrange...Break in for a shotgun???? ha not neccessary.theyre tough!

Ouch, my shoulder hurts just thinking about 3" slugs .

[CKY]

Shotgun training class at sac valley on the 12/12/09. Perfect place to break in that shotgun and train how to use it as well as learn about the different ammo for a shotgun. Check out stone cobra tactical for more info. It's only 150 too!

[supersteve9219]

I'm picking up my 870 Friday, I want to try out a few things, slugs, birdshot, target loads, ect.

I was wondering, does choke size matter? Could I shoot a slug through a full choke or one without a choke at all?

[ysr_racer]

Do NOT shoot a slug through a full choke. Go with something a little more open. I wouldn't go past Mod.

When I shoot slugs, I use IC.

Cylinder, Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Light Modified, Modified, Improved Modified, Light Full, Full

Improved Cylinder is abbreviated to IC, Light Modified is Lt. Mod, Modified is Mod, Improved Modified is IM...

Shotgun is NEVER abbreviated as "shotty"

[supersteve9219]

Ok thanks, I wasn't planning on doing it, my gun wont even accept chokes, just a hypothetical question.

[Hayashi Killian]

Even if your shotgun is not set up to accept chokes, you can have the barrel threaded to accept them. You'd need to take it to a gunsmith though.

[MossbergMan]

Choke matters! Depending on the application it can be critical, thus the reason for adjustable or screw in adaptablilty. Most choke issues are pertinent to hunting or shooting sports (Trap/Skeet)
If your gun is a fixed full choke, no problem firing slugs. If your gun has screw in chokes, first consult your owners manual, but rule of thumb is nothing tighter than IMP CYL. for adjustable or screw in chokes. Most of your "security/HD" shotguns are fixed CYL. BORE. Get into your higher dollar guns like the Benellis, FNH and you'll find they have screw in chokes, so be sure you know what choke is installed before you select the slug.
Slugs are good to go with CYL. BORE.

[sargenv]

I would be very surprised that a new 870 would not have the screw in rem-chokes. I haven't seen the OP state that he had a fixed choke barrel.

I have had good success shooting slugs througha Modified choke, but then I did cut one of the slugs loose from the shell and tested to make sure it went through the Modified choke. I was able to fit it through the choke with finger pressure. Not all slugs are that narrow or that soft and if you are unsure, cut one loose and see what the most constricted choke you can use on your gun with it.