Question on shotgun with rifled choke

THauch · 11-18-2003, 12:45 PM

I' m from MI and grew up in northern lower MI. I have a rifle I always used up there (for deer), but now, living in southwest MI, I can only use a shotgun.
I have an 870 express super magnum. I didn' t have money for a rifled barrel, so I bought a rifled choke tube.
A couple of questions:
What do you recommend I shoot through it? What brand/type slug, and 2 3/4" or 3" ?
I heard the 3" are less accurate? They start to tumble after a certain distance?
Is the 2 3/4" just as good as the 3" ?
How long of a shot would I be able to take?
Thanks very much in advance for your oppinions.
TH

BOWHUNTERCOP · 11-18-2003, 07:04 PM

I NEVER USED THE RIFLE CHOKE TUBE, JUST RIFLED BARRLES. TRY THE 2 3/4" LIGHTFIELDS, THEY WORK GREAT WITH ALL MY RIFLED SHOTGUNS. REMINGTON 11-87, MOSSBERG 500, MOSSBERG 835, ITACHA 37. I SIGHT IN AT 50yds. ABOUT 2" OR 2.50" HIGH ABOVE THE BULL. GOOD LUCK

1950KID · 11-18-2003, 07:45 PM

Bowhuntercop is right. 2 3/4 inch Lightfields are good.

SCRIDER1 · 11-18-2003, 08:01 PM

Before I got a rifled barrel I hunted with a set up very similar to yours (870 express with a rifled choke tube). To tell you the truth I have not noticed any difference with my fully rifled barrel--BUT I have not taken any shots over 60 yards with it. I suspect that at distances over that, its very possible the fully rifled barrel would begin to outperform the choke tube. Maybe some of the other posters can answer that question. On the loads, I found that the 2 3/4" Winchester 1 oz. sabots work very well for me...and I did not notice any advantage at all in using the 3" so I stayed with the 2 3/4" to save myself a little recoil. Every deer I ever shot with it went down like a piano got dropped on him. Bottom line is you have yourself a very effective and deadly weapon...probably to 75 yards at least and maybe beyond. Practice!