Just bought my 870 need a little help on the extras

veener88 · 01-02-2005, 03:51 PM

Thanks to this board in a large portion I went out and got a 870 Super Mag. Combo. When I bought the gun I also bought a 100 shots of target shells 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz. and a 90 pack or remintion clays. The next nice weekend my freind is going to bring up a thrower to I can get a feel for the gun.

I also have a lot of clear land so I can do some target shoting with slugs. My first question is should I get a scope before I start doing this, because I want to have a scope before I go deer hunting next season.

What I am also wondering what is a scope for the 870. Mostly for the scope I am a begger so I am guessing the more simple the better, but I want to be able to sight in the deer easy with out a lot of movement.

I guess my last question is how hard is it to sight in the barrel and the scope? I can not find a outdoor range that can help me with this.

Criggster · 01-02-2005, 04:21 PM

If you are going to shoot clays you definitely don't want a scope on the gun. What kind of barrel did it come with? If you plan to hunt deer with the gun, and it has a regular barrel then I would suggest getting an extra barrel for deer.

I have an 870 express, and it came with a 28" barrel with interchangeable chokes. If I were hunting deer with that gun I would get a slug barrel with a cantilever for a scope. And, use the regular barrel for everything else.

veener88 · 01-02-2005, 05:22 PM

Sorry I did not make this clearer. The Mag combo comes with a 26" BBL 3 1/2" Camber with a Mod. Choke. and it also comes with a 20" BBL 3" Camber Fully Rifled. I am looking for the scope for the slugs when I go deer hunting. I want to change out the choke though for the clays to get a little bigger shot.

I just want to get the equipment durring the spring and early summer so I am fully use to it by fall. So that way I am not making mistakes out in the feild because of not being use to what I have.

beebecl · 01-02-2005, 05:30 PM

It's not so much what scope to go with the gun as it is what scope to go with the terrain you'll be hunting. If you hunt a lot of open ground, you might want a 4x or a 3x9. If you hunt woods or cover, I recommend a lower power scope, such as a 2.5x. A higher power scope in woods makes it more difficult to find the game in the glass. Personally, I don't like a scope for woods.

You'll want to use Loc-tite on the scope ring screws, otherwise they'll work loose in a hurry (two or three shots) from recoil. Degrease the screws real good before using the Loc-tite. I use rubbing alcohol and a q-tip to degrease. Cuts grease and dries fast.

Once you get a set-up, you should practice throwing the (empty) gun to your shoulder and picking up a target in the scope. Some guys have better success doing this with both eyes open. Just pick something that would simulate a deer, throw the gun up, and try to get it in the scope.

Re: mounts, unless your receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope base, you'll either need to get it drilled and tapped (expensive), or use a saddle mount. The saddle mount is easy to use, it goes over the top of the receiver and is held in place with screws that replace the trigger group pins. No need for a gunsmith. Put the trigger group pins in a safe place!! One disadvantage with a saddle mount, you'll more than likely rub a bit of the finish off the receiver with the saddle mount. If you're interested in one, I have one of the best (Aimtech), new in the package. It's machined aircraft aluminum with an integral base. The only other thing you'll need is rings and a scope. I'll give it to you for $36, ppd.

Oh yeah, a third option is a cantilever barrel, but I'm pretty sure your combo didn't come with that. Let me know if you want to look into one of those, I might be able to help ya out. They're expensive.

Good luck, whatever you decide on.

veener88 · 01-02-2005, 07:40 PM

Thanks. I have wetlands and thick tree brush area both on are property. I have been told doing the drill and tap is a better thing in the long run. When I went their gunsmith area was closed so I did not have a chance to ask how much it would cost. If I knew more about guns I have all the equipment to do the drill and tap but I am worried about screwing up the gun.

So I am guessing the 2.5x would be about right. I have to wait till around March - April to get the scope because of case.

Smokem Joe · 01-04-2005, 02:52 PM

don't skimp on your scope to by it cheap. the 2.5x is probably a good power, but you want a scope designed for a shotgun (recoil and eye releif). Before you do that, your barrel has rifle sights, and maybe even high visibility rifle sights. These are great for the close in work that you will do with a shotgun. Don't spend the money if you don't have to.

Smokem Joe · 01-04-2005, 04:24 PM

congrats by the way...

You're about the size of my friend who shoots the 3 1/2" stuff. If you decide you want to shoot it you can and will.

I am 5' 10" and weigh in at 150lbs dripping wet. Just a touch smaller

PS I think that weatherby used to advertise their 460 mag by showing a "little" girl shooting it. (she was a princess or something)
Not real sure, could just be a cordite induced dream!

veener88 · 01-04-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Smokem Joe

don't skimp on your scope to by it cheap. the 2.5x is probably a good power, but you want a scope designed for a shotgun (recoil and eye releif). Before you do that, your barrel has rifle sights, and maybe even high visibility rifle sights. These are great for the close in work that you will do with a shotgun. Don't spend the money if you don't have to.

Yea I have been told the eye releif is the best thing to get with a shotgun. I know I have to get my sights in. Witch I think I am going to have a hard time with since I do not have a outdoor range in my area. I guess I will have to do it the old fashion way with starting at about 50 feet and working back.

I am just not sure how to adjust them. I can not find it in the manual anywere.

UncleNorby · 01-05-2005, 10:50 AM

Adjusting rifle sights is easy.

You move your rear sight in the direction you want to move the point of impact. if you're shooting low, raise the rear sight. If you're shooting left, move the rear sight to the right. You generally do not move the front sight, but sometimes it is necessary to file it down some, or replace (if possible) with a higher or lower post.

For short range shooting, I'd stick with the iron sights. If I really wanted a scope, I'd just get a rifled barrel with the cantilevered mount.

I know a couple guys that shoot 870s with the saddle-type mount. One guy had trouble until he realized that his gun was fussy about the amount of torque on the screw knob that you use to tighten the barrel to the action.

veener88 · 01-06-2005, 07:47 PM

So what is the best way to get my barrel sights in? What size slugs should I use? I am just not sure at what distance the deers are going to be. I would like to get about a good as range as possible with the barrel sights because we have a cyotee problem. I would like to get a few of those soon.

Yesterday and today we got about a foot of snow, so I am going to do some tracking on Saturday and find some paths. With the rain last weekend I found a lot of rutting. It is just thick brush in the area so It is going to be a little hard to setup there next year.