New shotgun

[db.40]

Got to pick up my 870 express tactical yesterday. Got home and started messing with it immediately, put a knoxx stock on it. Planning to put a tac star sidesaddle and surefire forend on it, but first I need to get it to the range!

updated: put on tacstar sidesaddle and shell holder addition to the knoxx stock. (im liking the tacstar but the knoxx addition seems to be super tight. it was hard to get the last shell in, might take it off, we'll see)

gonna try to make it to the range tomorrow.

[ultimatetaba]

Congrats. Enjoy the beast

[db.40]

Thanks! I'm not very knowledgeable in regards to shotgun ammo though. Any suggestions for good range and/or HD ammo?

[mrkam]

HD ammo, you can do a search on this forum and there are tons of threads about it, but as long as you stick to anything that ends in "buckshot" you'll be fine.

[BigDogatPlay]

Congrats on your new pick up. Before you get too far afield check out aippi's pages at AI&P Tactical. Click on the Install and Cleaning link and pay particular attention to the section on barrels. Follow his instructions and you'll be way ahead of the game.

To break the gun in / practice, a couple of 100 packs of Wal-Mart bird shot will do nicely. I use the Remington stuff from Wally all the time and it functions well in all my guns.

HD ammo... yes there are a ton of threads, but think 00 or #4 buckshot. I stoke my 870 with Federal managed recoil as it performs exceptionally well through my gun. but at true HD distances, honestly, any brand will do. I bought a whole bunch of Wolf buck and slug ammo on sale for way cheap and use it to practice with, but it'll work well if I have to use it for real.

[Eljay]

I was just looking into this and the Federal or the Winchester Ranger in 00 buckshot seem very popular and effective and relatively easy to find.

[Shrubmaster]

Got to pick up my 870 express tactical yesterday. Got home and started messing with it immediately, put a knoxx stock on it. Planning to put a tac star sidesaddle and surefire forend on it, but first I need to get it to the range!

The knoxx gets a +1, but I'm no fan of tacstar side saddles(they're mag extensions are pretty nice) and that surefire forends IMO are hardcore overpriced. Better off with a mesa tac mag clamp and a surefire lamp with a pressure switch.

[hcbr]

congrats

[bsg]

but first I need to get it to the range!

good idea; see how you like it, and add on or not... as your needs indicate.

congratulations on your new 870.

[pontiacpratt]

Don't forget Remington's rebate $30 for 870 express models

[appagohm]

FYI any shotgun load will take down a person in a range of 50 yards. I personally load my shotgun with number 8 birdshot. I know for a fact if i use buckshot i will have over penetration. And if you think birdshots are useless for home defense, please do more research.

[ChrisTKHarris]

^^ Uh oh this thread is NOT going to end well.

[Dozen Gauge]

^^

[der_saeufer]

FYI any shotgun load will take down a person in a range of 50 yards. I personally load my shotgun with number 8 birdshot. I know for a fact if i use buckshot i will have over penetration. And if you think birdshots are useless for home defense, please do more research.

Anyone who's ever been a bored teenager and shot a street sign with birdshot begs to differ. #7.5 shot works great on doves and for sandblasting street signs or felons in your home, but plated 1/0/00/000B works far better for convincing felons to rob elsewhere and putting holes in things. If you're close enough to incapacitate a determined attacker with birdshot, you're close enough to beat his @$$ with your shotgun and save the ammo.

Sure, most burglars aren't determined enough to fight through getting shot with birdshot.... but if a home invader is armed and wants to fight, shooting him with birdshot is only marginally better than bringing a knife to a gunfight.

[prc77]

FYI any shotgun load will take down a person in a range of 50 yards. I personally load my shotgun with number 8 birdshot. I know for a fact if i use buckshot i will have over penetration. And if you think birdshots are useless for home defense, please do more research.

That vid proves nothing. Once the shot exits the 2nd layer of drywall, what velocitiy is it traveing at? And of course every demo the shot is taken straight on between the studs.
Lets see some angle shots, door jams. Most people will shoot at the intruder, not through the wall to get the intruder. Get formal training and learn how to run your shotgun, so you put the shot into the badguy.