Choke on 18 inch barrel...

[ChrisO]

I have a remington 870 HD 18" barrel with factory extension, Real sweet handling shotgun for HD. Well anyways I usually take a carbine and pistol with me when hiking but recently I decided a shotgun is a little handier. When I take my shotgun on a hike I put on a speedfed PG and strap it on to my pack and it handles quick mostly for defense from 2 legged critters but bears and snakes as well. I was wondering if I can put some type of choke on it "I don't know much about SG chokes" I know it is illegal to hunt with a shotgun of more than 2 rounds in the tube capacity, BUT It's a last resort kind of thing like lost in the woods need to get some food. I want to have the ability to shoot slugs and 00 buck as well but like I said I'm not to familiar with chokes.

[Fuzzy5]

You can have a gunsmith thread your barrel for chokes. Given the scenario you describe, you might want to consider a Poly-Choke. Definitely doesn't look as clean but you can just twist it to adjust the amount of constriction rather than bother with various loose chokes and a choke wrench.

[ChrisO]

Is there one choke that will give me a better pattern with say birdshot but still allow for slugs and 00 buck?

[picasso]

Is there one choke that will give me a better pattern with say birdshot but still allow for slugs and 00 buck?

Use the IMPROVED CYLINDER CHOKE for the three different type of shots you mentioned.

[BigDogatPlay]

The gun should be chambered Cylinder or Improved Cylinder. That means there is not a lot of constriction. The bore is designed to give good performance with buckshot and Brenneke type rifled slugs, but not sabot slugs.

That factory choke is going to be good to go for pretty much any defensive situation, and with birdshot can be effective out to maybe 15-20 meters for small game. Beyond that range shooting birdshot, such as hunting game birds in flight or more specialized hunting such as turkeys, you will definitely need a barrel with more choke such as Modified all the way up to Extra Full for Turkeys.

A tighter choke, such as Modified, will give you tighter patterns at farther distances even with buckshot, and would still shoot rifled slugs okay, but much tighter than that I would not shoot slugs in.

If you really want just the one shotgun, then an external adjustable choke, such as the Poly Choke suggested, is probably the best bet. Remington makes replacement barrels in about 21 inch or so length (and longer) fitted for choke tubes, so that is also an option.

[ysr_racer]

Take my advice, don't mess with the barrel. it's fine just they way it is. I've NEVER missed a target, bird, or critter because I had the wrong choke in.

[mif_slim]

I have a remington 870 HD 18" barrel with factory extension, Real sweet handling shotgun for HD. Well anyways I usually take a carbine and pistol with me when hiking but recently I decided a shotgun is a little handier. When I take my shotgun on a hike I put on a speedfed PG and strap it on to my pack and it handles quick mostly for defense from 2 legged critters but bears and snakes as well. I was wondering if I can put some type of choke on it "I don't know much about SG chokes" I know it is illegal to hunt with a shotgun of more than 2 rounds in the tube capacity, BUT It's a last resort kind of thing like lost in the woods need to get some food. I want to have the ability to shoot slugs and 00 buck as well but like I said I'm not to familiar with chokes.

Finding a choke? Check VCS (Vangs Comp System) he doesnt put a choke on your gun, but makes your gun shoot tighter patterns with your original barrel.

As for more then 2+1 rounds in the shotgun, what I did with my 8 shot M500A1, I bought a kniting needle, the longest one they had and thinnest and put it down the tube. Now its a 2+1. When I come back home from hunting, I just take that needle out and its back to HD mod. Cost me $1.76. cant complain about that.

[ChrisO]

The knitting needle doesn't bind up the spring and follower or anything? The capacity isn't really a issue as it's a just in case kind of shotgun and if I'm put in a situation where I need to take game to survive I won't be thinking about abiding by the capacity in a shotgun law. For plain hunting I have a ithaca with a Modified Choke.

[aippi]

If you have an older 870 then yes, it could be an 18" barrel. If it is a new one it is an 18.5" barrel, however, either way it is a Cly bore choke. If you want the same barrel that will excepts tube then simply sell the barrel you have and buy the 18.5" bead sight with Rem Choke.

A Vang Comp barrel will cost more then the weapon did. If you want a tighter choke then simply get the 18.5 I/C choke barrel. Or even the Modified.

Some guys above gave you good advise. For what you are using the weapon for your barrel is fine so leave it be.