Which barrel for slugs?

[whipkiller]

So I bought a box of slugs today, never shot slugs.

I've got an 870 express, 7 round, 18.5" barrel w/fixed cylinder choke.

I bought a used 28" barrel and to be honest I don't know what choke it has in it. (I think maybe modified)

How can I tell what choke it is, and which barrel should I use for the slugs?

I know I shouldn't shoot slugs out of certain chokes; (ie. full)

Thanks in advance

[edwardm]

The 28" barrel should either be stamped with the choke type if a fixed choke, i.e. MOD for modified, IC for improved cylinder, FULL for full, etc.

If it's not marked, check to see if it's a newer barrel with removable choke tubes at the muzzle. If so, remove the tube with a choke tube wrench and it will be marked on the choke tube.

If unmarked, it's probably a cylinder choke. As for slugs through chokes, it depends on the type of slug and the barrel manufacturer. Older 'smiths have told me that some vintage barrels will handle about anything and others will not tolerate slugs of any kind. Best to check with the barrel manufacturer.

[whipkiller]

Sorry, should have said; it is removable chokes on the 28" barrel, he gave me an extra one when I bought the barrel.

I don't think there was a wrench though. Are they all the same or are they brand specific?

[Bearclaw]

Any choke tube wrench that matches the gauge of your gun will work.

[slick_711]

Any choke tube wrench that matches the gauge of your gun will work.

Additionally, you've probably got a few of them in your pocket, the 12GA wrenches come in a 25 cent variety.

You can shoot hollow base, lead rifled slugs through a full choked gun, but you're going to get a slightly stronger recoil impulse and it's a tighter constriction than I'd recommend. If you have two chokes for the 28" barrel go with whichever is looser, 28" 870s these days typically come with a Modified Rem-choke. Just make sure you have a choke in there, shooting without one, especially slugs, will wreak havoc on the threads in the barrel. With the 18.5" barrel you are good to go with slugs all day long.

[whipkiller]

Additionally, you've probably got a few of them in your pocket, the 12GA wrenches come in a 25 cent variety.
You can shoot hollow base, lead rifled slugs through a full choked gun, but you're going to get a slightly stronger recoil impulse and it's a tighter constriction than I'd recommend. If you have two chokes for the 28" barrel go with whichever is looser, 28" 870s these days typically come with a Modified Rem-choke. Just make sure you have a choke in there, shooting without one, especially slugs, will wreak havoc on the threads in the barrel. With the 18.5" barrel you are good to go with slugs all day long.

HA, Nice! That's probably the one I'll be using.... thanks.

Any noticeable decrease in accuracy at longer ranges using the short barrel?

[MossbergMan]

Let me add that if you wish greater accuracy, consider saboted slugs and a "rifled" screw in choke. American/Foster slugs work fine in smooth bores, however performance is dismal when firing a saboted slugs in the smooth bore barrels. And it really depends on your definition of "accurate" and distances you're thinking of shooting at when shooting slugs through a smooth bore SG. Most SGs with a cylinder bore choke should give 3 to 6" 3 shot groups at 100 yards, anything better than that is icing on the cake and a good SG/ammo combination. Remember, it's a shotgun....not a rifle.

I'd consult the manufacture regarding choke choice for slug shooting in your 28" tube. they do vary.

[whipkiller]

Thanks Mossberg Man... I'd actually be quite happy with 6" groups at 100 yds. I figure maybe I'll just put a couple of water jugs out at 50 yds or so to start, and see how that goes (100 yds and I might just be wasting slugs)

I would use Watermelons, but I really like eating Watermelon.

[MossbergMan]

Different ammo makes a difference

If you are getting the accuracy performance you desire, changing ammo or trying different brands is the cheapest and fastest way of improving SG performance with buckshot and slugs.
Tactical Slugs drop like a rock after approx. 60 yards compared with standard velocity (1600fps). You need to know things like this when evaluating ammo/gun combos and take it al into consideration.