870 Max Gobbler 23" for waterfowl?

[coder44mag]

I'm interested in the Remington 870 max gobbler 23 inch barrel, but I want to use it for waterfowl eventually.

Here is the gun I want:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_64/products_id/41036

I'm new to hunting but I have my hunter safety. Would I just switch out the choke for a modified (rather than the full it comes with) if needed? Is the 23" barrel sufficient?

I assume I might get comments/looks for using a pistol grip Knox when shooting birds, but that is perfectly legal in CA right?

[Thefeeder]

If your going to use it for hunting, find some thing in a field configuration instead of a HD. I will have a hard time hitting flying birds with a HD shotgun. Turkey are stationary targets....it is a new game with ducks flying 30 MPH. Barrels for hunting 26+ is best.

People will chime in on using pistol grips and gost sights to shoot clays and hunting and testify that they break 23/25 targets............I have never seen it....and I would like to see it. I'll sponser a day at the trap or skeet range to see it.

[mjsweims]

The reason people who know, suggest longer barrels is to be able to point better at your target. The longer the barrel the narrower your field of view, and the closer you will be to your target. When you are trying to shoot a small moving target you need to get right on it to get the maximum number of kill pellets to do the job.
I don't shoot skeet but I have never seen anyone shoot consistent high trap scores with a HD configured shotgun. I'd also like to see it, but I can't afford to sponsor a day for it.

[coder44mag]

Oh I didn't know those turkey guns were considered HD (home defense?) as opposed to all around bird hunting.

I guess I'll go with a regular 870 supermag since it's cheaper as well.

[choprzrul]

If your 2 main purposes for this gun are turkey hunting and home defense, then why not get this gun? If waterfowling is in your future, just get a different butt stock. You will find, like stated above, that longer barrels make it easier to hit what you are aiming at. If you find yourself in a waterfowl blind a lot, you will start to really appreciate the quick handling associated with that shorter barrel. You can make up for the lost velocity by shooting the tungsten waterfowl loads. 3" #2 tungsten will fold up big honkers in a way that steel will never be able to match. You should be able to find a longer barrel for upland and clay shooting without much problem. You are starting with a very solid platform (870), just get one that most closely matches your immediate intent and then add accessories and components as you need them in the future.

[coder44mag]

If your 2 main purposes for this gun are turkey hunting and home defense, then why not get this gun? If waterfowling is in your future, just get a different butt stock. You will find, like stated above, that longer barrels make it easier to hit what you are aiming at. If you find yourself in a waterfowl blind a lot, you will start to really appreciate the quick handling associated with that shorter barrel. You can make up for the lost velocity by shooting the tungsten waterfowl loads. 3" #2 tungsten will fold up big honkers in a way that steel will never be able to match. You should be able to find a longer barrel for upland and clay shooting without much problem. You are starting with a very solid platform (870), just get one that most closely matches your immediate intent and then add accessories and components as you need them in the future.

Cool that is very good information. Most shooting will be target/fun out when camping, and maybe start doing waterfowl and turkey.

I really like the look of the gun and the Knoxx stock. Since the max gobbler and the normal 870 express is not terribly expensive, I could always buy a regular 870 express with a 28" barrel next season if I need it. There is nothing wrong with more guns!

[choprzrul]

...I could always buy a regular 870 express with a 28" barrel next season if I need it. There is nothing wrong with more guns!

^^wiser words have never been spoken^^