Need help with a dilemma?
 

Alright heres the deal. 5 year ago had a bad wreck and broke both arms. Titanium rods and everything now. This year I bought a new 870. Sps turkey with sure shot grip. Due to the grip 3 1/2's feel like there breaking my arms, and 3in arn't much better. So, i'm thinking about 2 3/4. I just ordered a Jelly head for my gun. I usally shoot #6 heavy shot with that constriction with 3in. So, my question is would the less amount of shot in the 2 3/4 be a reason to go to a different shot size or change chokes.

I like hevi shot 2 3/4 #5 out of my rem 11-48 with fixed full choke shoots good out to 40 yards

Start by trying those 2 3/4 with your existing choke before you decide to change anything.

JW

I like the nitro 4x5x7 3 inch in my 870 less kick and great knock down power.

Hevi 13 has a 2 3/4 shell. stick with the #6 and you should be fine...

Aftermarket recoil pads do work.
I just bought an older Win 370 single shot for the GF because she wants to come out and couldn't believe how it kicked.
I considered using it for turkey and letting her use my Mossberg but then I woke up :-)
A 12$ Pachmayr recoil pad has really helped.

I'll bet you won't see much difference with the 2 3/4 inch shells. If you like them try them and see how they pattern.

atleast near me ive seen remington and limbsaver recoil pads for about 15$ these are the ones that just slide over the stock hope this helps

Try 20 ga.
Thats what I am thinking about trading to.
I had rotator cup surgery in my right sholder, im right handed.
I just don't think my sholder can handle 3 in 12 ga turkey loads.
I don't want to have surgery again, it hurt to much the first time.
What ever you do, good luck.

Its not the recoil in the bu## stock that hurts its the shock that come thru the pistol grip.

oh well in that case... all i can think of is buying a new stock... 870's are the most versitile shotguns ive ever used. there is every kind of stock imaginable for them. check out cabelas and bass pro. bass pro might have more of what your looking for they have a better turkey hunting selection

If thats the case why dont you just replace the thumbhole stock with a traditional one?
Either way though you will do just fine should you wish to shoot the 2.75" shells. I would stick with the #6's, and limit your shots to however far your pattern holds up. No need to change shot size or chokes.

get rid of the grip...

i like the idea of the 20g for you....also a semi-auto will take a good portion of the 'kick' out. one other idea is porting the barrel....you lose some whack but you also lose the kick in the shoulder.
if the pistol grip is the culprit I'd get rid of it too!

Standard stock with limb saver pad sounds like the way for you to go. Maybe try someone's gun to see if it is any better for you before you make the change.

If that is the case, you might have to sell the gun and get you a "normal" stock without the grip.

There are a few things you can try. It sounds like you are gripping the stock very tight. Less grip means less vibs. You might try a thumb hole stock by rotating your wrist more it may send less into your forearm. Also you might try an automatic they seem to shoot smoother. If you can afford it Benelli makes a gun with vib dampeners. I know how you feel I have lots of metal in me. And you can feel everything.

Limbsaver slipons are alot cheaper than most chokes and time spent on pattern tests. Good luck

If it's legal where you are, you might want to think about using a light rifle. I know that a lot of purist are going to slam me for saying that, but if you're injured and it's legal, who cares what others think. That's the option that I'm using this year, I recently had a very extensive back surgery, and my doctor won't clear me to shoot a shotgun, regardless of gauge, load size, recoil pad etc.. Where I hunt, a rifle gives me no advantage for distance, 40 yards is a long shot anyway, and besides I'm not into sniping a bird when the challenge is to call him in. It should actually be harder to hit a bird since I'll need to wait for a better clearing with a rifle over a shotgun. :fighting0007::biggrin: