Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Good evening gents,

I purchased my first shotgun a few weeks ago and I have some questions that I am hoping some of you guys could generously answer.

My shotgun is a 2009 model Remington 870 Express Tactical with the 2-shot mag extension and the Tactical Extended Rem Choke. Here is the Remington link to the gun:

http://www.remington.com/products/fi...s_tactical.asp


My questions:

1. Since it has a smoothbore barrel, I am assuming I would want to buy rifled slugs as opposed to not-rifled slugs? (I already have plenty of 00 Buck, but figured I should get some slugs as well).

2. Since my shotgun has that sharp choke on the end that screws on and off, does that mean I am not supposed to shoot slugs? I have read that you are not supposed to shoot slugs with shotguns that have a choke.

3. When cleaning the shotgun, is it really necessary to thoroughly clean anything other than the barrel?


Thanks everybody! I hope you guys have a great Friday night. :565:

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

1. Smooth-bore shotguns will shoot any type of slugs...Foster, Brenneke, Sabot-type. I would avoid 3-inch slugs...2 3/4 length slugs will give you all the thrill you need. :wink:

2. For slugs, the choke should be Improved Cylinder (best IMO), Skeet, or Cylinder bore. NEVER shoot a threaded choke barrel without a choke firmly screwed in.

3. Clean bore, lightly oil action, wipe down outside with a little BreakFree CLP on a rag.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

It's a tatical gun, I'm not sure why you want to shoot slugs out of it.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

I know, but I just figured I should have some just in case...

Since my gun has a "choked" barrel, does that automatically rule out my option of shooting slugs through it?

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

I'll bet it's more of a muzzle brake with little or no constriction. Unscrew it and see what the markings are on the side. Probably okay, a tactical shotgun is designed for buckshot and slugs.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Silver city nailed it on the advice GG, but when it comes down to it a smoothbore will fire anything it will chamber, you won't blow it up or anything but you can mess up fancy chokes. I screw in CB chokes and have at it unless the wife unit and I are shooting trap with another couple.
Then we screw in the AA skeet chokes and, well, win!:ok:
They get switched back out to CB for regular use as soon as I clean them.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Ok, maybe I should clarify.

This is the exact part that screws into the end of my barrel;

It's called the Tactical Extended Rem� Choke tube:

http://www.remington.com/images/prod...choke_tube.jpg

Since my shotgun has this piece, does that mean I can't shoot slugs through it since it is a "choked" barrel?

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Congrats on the new shotgun - looks really nice.

That choke is actually considered a 'breaching choke'. When using to breach doors, locks, etc. Its there to help prevent blow back. You probably won't need to use it, but it could be an excuse to get some breaching rounds in case a neighbor locks themselves out of their house :emotions16:

I'm almost positive that the breaching choke will not constrict the barrel, so it still would be considered a smooth cylinder bore. Just in case, though, I would give Remington a call and verify.

For slugs you would want to use rifled slugs, as anything else would give you poor accuracy out of an un-rifled barrel (and rifled slugs are cheaper anyway).

I found a good deal on rifled slugs on Sportsmans Guide. I was paying $3.77 for a box of 5 (with club membership), which was better than I was able to find by me at the time: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=202724

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

This frangible projectile is made of compressed, powdered copper and tin and was developed as an alternative to a battering ram. The door breacher produces an effective means of removing locks and hinges from doors constructed of up to 16 gauge steel, while limiting the projection of hazardous debris and collateral damage on the other side of the door.
To be used with Improved Cylinder, Skeet or Cylinder Bore Chokes.
The breaching round is designed to defeat door locks and hinges. It is fired 4" to 8" from the target. At impact, the metal powder filled projectile cup disintigrates, dissipating its entire energy on the target.
Breaching rounds, often called Disintegrator or Hatton rounds, are designed to destroy door deadbolts, locks and hinges without risking lives by ricocheting or by flying on at lethal speed through the door, as traditional buckshot can. These frangible rounds are made of a dense sintered material, often metal powder in a binder such as wax, which can destroy a lock then immediately disperse. They are used by military and SWAT teams to quickly force entry into a locked room.
Amongst police, these rounds are nicknamed 'master keys', and their use is known as 'Avon calling'. Breaching rounds may be used in a standard combat shotgun or riot shotgun, or in a specialized shotgun

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

I just found a pretty good review on your shotgun, it might be good to look at in case you haven't seen it yet. It actually goes into a little detail about your choke. The breaching choke is cylinder bore, so there is no further constriction - so your good to go whether you use shot or slug.

The 870 Shows its Teeth

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Thanks a lot guys. So, I guess it's safe to assume that shooting slugs from my 870 should cause no problems?

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Yes. You are fine. Your shotgun will not be harmed and slugs are actually quite common loads for tactical shotguns.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

All shotguns have "choke"....some have "cylinder choke" whick is zero choking or taper or conscriction.....I'd bet your tatical is cylinder or very little choke.

Slugs are fine....you can even fire slugs in a "Modified" choke - which is about medium overall choke.

Here are the traditional chokes:

Cylinder
I.C. = Improved Cylinder
Modified
Improved Modified
Full.

There are others inside that range...and even a few extra full / "turkey" chokes.

I'd avoid full choke and slugs....but even that will work...and perhaps no damage.

I think from memory the choke system is like this......

At 30 yards.....in a 30 inch circle.....Full will pattern 90% of the shot in that circle, I.M 80%, M 70%, I.C. 60%, C 50%....so something like that ....you can find in on the net "Choke" + "Pattern" + "Percentage" + "Shotgun".

Buy 1 5 shot box of Remington "Buckhammer" slugs....they will make you cry....African Game Rifle Recoil Levels....3X a 30.06 rifle....very impressive.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Got nothing but a joke, tonight:

http://mycacties.com/blog/wp-content...ery_system.jpg

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

You've gotta have slugs. They're the only thing that can slow down the T2000 Terminator (from T2).

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

My answers:

1. You can buy Foster or Brenneke slugs. You want to avoid slugs for rifled barrels.

2. You can shoot slugs through some choke constrictions. My preference would be for MOD or less constriction. As far as the pictured choke goes, I would replace it with a regular IC Rem Choke. A little constriction, which is what IC choke is, provides better patterns and will allow you to shoot slugs than the cylinder bore of the pictured choke. The standard choke for the 870P is IC, and cops use both shot and slugs. When you change the choke tube, add a little anti-seize grease to the choke tube threads. It will making removing the choke later much easier and will stop corrosion of the threaded area from locking the choke tube into the barrel.

3. With an 870, you MUST fully clean the gun, especially the chamber, before shooting. The preservative that Remington uses loves to grab plastic hulls if it gets warm, and extraction issues will occur. Get some brake cleaner or Gun Scrubber and clean that chamber with a good brass brush.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

I know that with my tactical,

I can shoot slugs through chokes up to a moderate level and that I [cannot] shoot sabot rounds. Sabots are for rifled barrels.

Having some slug loads is a good idea in my opinion.

I'm loaded 3 00 then 3 slugs.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

I believe it was the American Rifleman that ran a test years ago on the best smoothbore shotgun accuracy for slugs. They found that Improved Cylinder was best for Foster-type slugs (cheapest) and that the hands-down best smoothbore shotgun for slugs was the Ithaca Deerslayer model. It had a uniform underbore from chamber to muzzle (no choke) and would throw a respectable 6-inch group at 100 yards. No comparison to today's rifled bore shotguns, but back then it was THE TICKET for accuracy.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

All the Rem choke is, is REMOVABLE. You can put all the different chokes in your shotgun (being it was made for that model). All that does is change the way the SHOT will pattern. :ok:


http://www.imfdb.org/images/7/7d/Miscte4-1-.jpg

Hey Ruprick, "Sure know your weapons buddy."

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

The Buckhammers are the real deal, but no crying allowed here. :wink: I shot 10 of them in an afternoon, no bruising, but a bit sore the next day. Similar to shooting a couple boxes of 7.62x51R through my MN M38.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Have any of you tried CFC Brakleen instead of Gunscrubber for cleaning? It does the same job at about 50% of the cost, sometimes less if you shop around a bit. I've never had any issues with it taking a finish off.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the very helpful information.

What kind of slugs do you guys recommend? I know ruprick likes the Remington Buckhammers. Does anybody else have experience with these slugs? Are they of good quality? I am looking for high quality ammo.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Any US manufactured shotgun slugs will do fine. Not sure what you mean by "high quality".

Wilhelm Brenneke's slugs have been the European standard for 100 years...try some.

You won't know what works best until you actually shoot a few different brands and types, and I wouldn't go "whole hog" until I did...

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

As an FYI.....get a 'bore snake'.

It's a length of woven fabric with some copper bristles in it.

Right after firing the gun, while the barrel is still warm, pass the snake through the barrel a couple of times. It easily removes the plastic film left by the shotgun shell and reduces post fire cleaning to zero.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

My favorite slugs are the Wolf slugs. Made in Germany, imported by Wolf and afordable.,they are a copy of the Brenneke design.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

can these be shot through a non-rifled barrel/ non rifled choke tube without causing damage/problems?

from the remington website.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Three points if I may
1.) If the 870 was unsafe to shoot slugs through it would have been stamped in blazing orange all over the receiver, the box, the stock the whole nine yards. CYA don't you know.
2.) On slug selection the saying goes "green is mean but red is dead." (Remington slugs are green, Winchester are red.) I have 2 870's one tactical one Fudd. Red and green works justs as well in either one.
3.) I agree with the posters that say you should have slugs in your ammo pile. Every tactical shot gun class that I have taken has incorporated the use of slugs in the itinerary.

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

Never heard a stock shotgun referred to using that term. That's a keeper! Be verwy, verwy quiet...

Re: Please Help Out a Shotgun Noob
 

LOL yep you have it figured out.

One of the things that differentiates a hunting shotgun (other than the ubber cool stuff that some hang on theirs) is the hunting forestock. When it is pulled back for shell extraction it has a wing on the rear on each side that sheilds either side of the extraction port. The wings also denies the operator the ability to extract loaded shells through the port, making it neccessary to "rack the slide" to empty the weapon.

Other than sights and an extended mag tube there are really not a lot of differences between the two.