Ammo for 870 wingmaster

[TallTale]

So recently I went to go buy ammo for my 870 wingmaster(it's an older model). It was my first time ever going to purchase this kind of thing so I was hoping it'd be easy. When I got to wal-mart, I saw a huge box of birdshot for about 20 something dollars but since my birthday is coming up, I just wanted to leave that to my girlfriend to buy me .

I decided to look for buckshot but it was a little harder to find. Finally an employee came and showed me where the buckshot was but they only had 3" shells. I kept looking for 2 3/4 but I couldn't find any. I asked the employee but she said that she guessed they only had 3". An older man was standing near buy who told me that there was no such thing as 2 3/4 00 buck and that the lowest was 3". He asked me what shotgun I had and I told him and he said he was pretty sure that it could take 3" shells but to read the barrel. He said he worked on or with guns for a living so I believed him and purchased it.

That was sometime last week. I finally opened up my gun to check it today and I read the barrel. It said to use 2 3/4 or 3" shells if the receiver says magnum on it and if it doesn't only use 2 3/4. Checked my receiver and did not see magnum nor an "m" in the serial number. I felt so stupid . It wasn't so much that I spent $13 on ammo I can't use but since I can't return it, I'm kind of stuck with it.

SO that leads me to this. I'm pretty sure that guy was wrong and that there is such a thing as 2 3/4 00 buckshot, does wal-mart not carry this? What can I do with the current ammunition I have? Could I trade it in somewhere or are there people willing to trade?

Thanks guys

[BigDogatPlay]

Yes there is most certainly 2.75 inch buckshot shells. Go to a different Wal-Mart, they'll more than likely have some. The clerks at Wal-Mart in the sporting goods section are either gun guys (rare) or not very bright (common). This is why I find it hard to believe that Wal-Mart will ever sell guns again in California.

As to your Wingmaster, if it's brand new production it almost certainly has a magnum receiver. If it's an older gun and new to you and the serial number ends with "M", it's a magnum receiver. If it ends with "V" it's not.

[berettabattler]

Walmrt used to carry it, that's where I went and brought my federal 2 3/4 00 buck.. but when I went back last time, all I saw was mostly 3" shells..

which part of cali are you located?

for the 3" shells, I ran it through mine, same with my buddy's 870... both ran flawlessly..

which 00 buck did you pick up? the Remington? Winchesters?

[aippi]

Well, he is an idot. Of course there is 2 3/4" buckshot.

If your Wingmaster is a new production 870 then it is fine for 3" shells. All Remington Shotguns now have serial numbers that start with RS, and yes, that stands for Remington Shotgun. All are 3" receivers unless they state the words "Super Magnum" on them then they are 3.5" receivers. So, your shotgun serial number starts with RS and
you can use that ammo.

[TallTale]

I'm in San Diego. I bought the 3" winchesters 00 buck. My serial number starts and ends in "V" fwiw

[aippi]

You said new. You meant new to you.

[TallTale]

yes, sorry I'll edit that

[BigDogatPlay]

I'm in San Diego. I bought the 3" winchesters 00 buck. My serial number starts and ends in "V" fwiw

Yeah that's a 2.75 inch receiver then. Some 3 inch shells might run through the receiver based solely on shell length but it'd certainly be best to use 2.75 inch only.

You might consider getting your buckshot mail order. You can buy in bulk and come fairly close to the Wal-Mart price. I know Cheaper than Dirt was running 2.75 inch standard velocity Federal LE buckshot at less than $4 per 5 this month. Or you go way below and order Wolf buckshot and slugs in bulk. Say what you want about Wolf rifle and pistol ammo, their shotgun ammo always goes bang for me, and at personal defense distances in your home it's going to deliver a charge to a bad guy that will pretty much ruin his whole day so long as you do your part.