Another noob 870 question..

[Flowmini98]

So ive been doing some reading on here and now I think I have just confused myself even further...
I just picked up a Rem870 7 shot synthetic stock w/18" barrel and a single bead front sight. It was my understanding that this gun should have come with a smooth bore.
But since im in the middle of my 10 day wait I cant grab it to check, so here I sit questioning myself.
Whats the best way for me to check to be sure thats what ive got?

Also I picked up a box of 100 Federal 2.75"/ 7.5 and some 00 Rem buckshot from Walmart to try through my gun when I pick it up any specific type of "slug" I should try?

[WDE91]

yes its a smooth bore

[Flowmini98]

yes its a smooth bore

Is the single bead front sight one of the easiest indicators of a smooth bore? That was my understanding

[Barbarossa]

taking the barrel off and looking down it is the best way. (unloaded!)

[aippi]

Fully rifled barrels either have rifle sights or a cantilever mount. So yes, if a remington barrel has a bead sight it is a smooth bore.

[Flowmini98]

Fully rifled barrels either have rifle sights or a cantilever mount. So yes, if a remington barrel has a bead sight it is a smooth bore.

Thanks. Someone had posted a link to some of your shotgun info. Your wealth of knowledge is great!

[JON KARGATHALON]

i have the exact same 870 and yes its a smoothbore.

[Plisk]

Rifled barrels from Remington are a kind of specialty. You're not going to find a factory configured model with a large capacity tube running a rifle slug barrel. You'll typically find it one with it's own scope rail mounted to the barrel with a low capacity (to comply with hunting law) tube and sometimes a camouflage application. What you purchased and described is your basic tactical/PD style set-up it is defiantly a smoothbore.

As for types of slugs to try, there isn't too much variation out there to try. Your biggest differences is low-recoil, or not low-recoil and if it's not marked as such you need to look at the velocity rating of the round displayed on the box. 1200 FPS is low-recoil, 1600 FPS is full load. If it's a little off in either direction, it will be close to one. Just grab a little of each and get a feel for what works for you.

Also remember, different brands and different loads will pattern differently out of your barrel. Slugs flying at different speeds will require different holds at distance. So when you really start to learn YOUR gun, be consistent with the ammo you're using so you're hitting as consistently as possible.

[CK_32]

The one you have should be a smooth bore.. Like most said above the give always are the bead site vs rifle/scope rail and the 100% way to tell is take the barrel off and look down it.

If it has lines running down it it's a rifles (basically looks like any other typical gun barrel) if it's smooth and looks like a pipe with nothing but smooth glass it's a smooth.

And did you have a smooth bore shoot RIFLED SLUGS.. Due to no rifling to spin the slug buying rifled slugs will have grooves on the slug to spin it self.. I did get confused on that when first tying to buy slugs.. But rifled slugs are for smooth barrels.

And I doubt it but if you has a threaded choke do not shoot slugs unless you know you have one that can shoot them.. I don't know which cal but I'm sure someone else around here can.. Too lazy to google right now. But remember if you have a screw in choke be sure it can or you'll have a pipe bomb barrel soon enough. But again I don't think that model comes with a threaded joke but always be sure before shooting slugs.

[Flowmini98]

Thanks guys

[wicked jesster]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it, but the choke will thread inside the end of the barrel and will be pretty close to flush at the end. these should be finger tight and you can see the choke if you look at the end of the barrel.

[JON KARGATHALON]

I imagine that you bought the large capacity 870 for another HD weapon, and Target shooting/plinking? If so, Let me tell you those factory synthetic stocks are so very unforgiving to the shoulder pocket. You definutely want to get a limbsaver stock pad, or you can get a whole new stock, I got a Blackhawk Knoxx spec ops 2 for under 100 bucks at www.emergencyresponderproducts.com. It is the generation 2, that usually msrp's for $139.99 mine was 95$

[wicked jesster]

will the standard limb saver for an 870 fit the blackhawk knoxx stock?

[CK_32]

Don't go the knoxx stock rout. If you know how to properly hold and shoulders a shotgun the 870 factory stock is actually really forgiving. And with their supercell pad available should be plenty soft.. If you can't handle the kick of a shot gun buy a AR15..

All the knoxx does it send the force up into your face. Think it's a great idea but it's not the end all solution everyone wants it to be. Learn how to properly hold and shoot your shot gun and you'll hold up. Yea after 200 shots of buck its going to be tender but so will it with the knoxx stock..


Just stock to the factory stock maybe buy the thicker recoil pad for it and learn to man up and handle it. It's a shot gun they aren't meant to shoot like a 22. And that's why they invented low recoil stuff.

[car15]

I haven't tried the Magpul Moe stock but I really love the Mesa Tactical Urbino. The shorter length and pad makes all the difference in the world. Really try them out if you can.