Power

I've had pretty good luck with my 870 shooting 3" shells, last couple birds using #6 shot. I like the Winchester XX Turkey loads, 2 oz. of #6's works great, especially since my gun only patterns out to around 30-35 yards.

I just picked up some Hevi-shot. I know, it's spendy and some people it doesn't work. Thought I'd at least try some. Anyone have some recommendations on a good choke to try for my Rem. 870 with 1 5/8 oz. #6's in the Hevi-shot? I have a Remington Turkey choke (some sort of factory choke with knurled end for installing by hand) and that is good out to 30 yards.

If anyone has practical experience with the 870 and their choke and load that they get a killing pattern past 30 yards I'd be very interested to hear what you use. Thanks!

-Power

Young Buck 76

I shoot a 870 with an undertaker hevi-shot choke and have a killing pattern at 50+yrds, but I feel anything over 40 is pushing it for penatration and knock down. Here is 30 yrds with #6's

MOTurkeyTamer

Power, I may be old fashioned here, but I've not been one to jump on the "Hevi-shot Bandwagon" just yet! The last few years, I've pretty well settled on a Kick's Gobblin' Thunder .665 tube and Winchester's High Velocity 3" copper plated turkey loads in #5's. This combo shot out of my Remington 870 w/ 21" barrel will put a real "whompin" on an old gobbler's noggin out to 40 yds. or so which is about as far as I care to take a shot at a turkey anyway. If you're looking for an alternative to the high priced Hevi-shot loads, check out this set-up, although the choke is a little pricey, but well worth it!

Power

Nice looking pattern you got. How much was that choke and where'd you get it? Thanks for the reply.

Power

Thanks TurkeyTamer. I've been really happy with the Winchester #6's my self but I would like to get out to around 40 yards or so. Not sure if I need a different choke or load so I'm polling for others thoughts. I'll try the Hevi-shot, at least 1 box just to see. I am curious why, if it's heavier (or is it denser-should be the same thing on Earth) why they only load the 3" 12 gauge with 1 5/8 oz shot?

RIStrutStopper

Power, just curious, what size barrel are you using?

Power

I shopped around to get the 26" on my 870 Express. I knew I wanted a shorter barrel and I've been very happy with it.

strut

I have shot both Rem and Nitro Hevi-Shot thru my 870 with the Rem. Ventilator {.655}. The pattern is about the same as Winchester loads but the penetration of the Hevi-Shot is awesome. On the test I done I was shooting a target stapled to a 3/4" white pine board and at 40 yards the Winchester #5 {copper plated shot} passed about half way thur the board with no complete pass thru's, on the other hand with the hevi-shot #5's about half of them splinted the back side of the board, so IMO if you are wanting more range you need to give the Hevi-Shot's a try.

Young Buck 76

The choke is made by hs strut and averages about 20-25 bucks i shoot a 28 in barrel

BobCo196 5

Young buck, that is a very impressive pattern. I just ordered a Cabela`s Choke Tube For Hevi-Shot REM TRKY Super Full and some Remington Premier Hevi-Shot Magnum Turkey Loads 12GA 3" 1 5/8 OZ #5 for my 870. I'll post the result in a few weeks.