Replacement Shotgun Barrel for 870

[ree]

I don't know much shotguns. The only one I've got is a Remington 870 Wingmaster that I inherited. It's setup for bird hunting. To use it with slugs, can I just buy a replacement rifled barrel? If so where is a good place to get for one?

My intended use, in addition to home defense,is as a deer gun.

[JoeH]

Ree-

You can shoot rifled slugs through your smooth bore. New barrel not needed.

Yes, you can buy a replacement rifled barrel. You'll be able to get rifle sights or a cantilever scope mount too. This will allow you to shoot sabot slugs.

Hastings makes good stuff. http://www.hastingsbarrels.com/barrels.html

The rifled barrel would only be for deer. You'll want buckshot for home defense. That calls for the smooth bore barrel.

Joe

[Einthoven's Triangle]

Many shops have old bbls for cheap, might want to look around...try Alhmans in Morristown...

[cobb]

If your 870 Wingmaster is in 12ga, I don't know what kind of things that you have to consider when looking for a barrel. I know if you have a 870 Wingmaster in 20ga they made different sized barrel rings and magazine tubes. I think it was the older Wingmaster was a 20ga built on a 12 gauge platform, which the 870 today I don't think are. So you may want to talk to someone that you know is very knowledgeable about your older Wingmaster before you order or buy a barrel.

[ree]

It's a 12 gauge with a 2 3/4" receiver. It looks like Hastings has some products that'll work nicely.

I'll give Alhmans a call too. I don't get down there much, but my wife drives through once or twice a month. Perhaps she'd swing by and pick up a barrel if they have something that works.


So, are these statements correct?
- rifling is required for a sabot slug to get it to shed the sabot halves
- rifling will improve accuracy for any slug, but isn't necessary for non-sabot slugs

Also, don't some of you use slugs or a mix of shot and slugs in your HD shotguns?

[Konaseven]

So, are these statements correct?
- rifling is required for a sabot slug to get it to shed the sabot halves

yes, sort of, the rifling will induce rotation, enhancing stability. sabot will shed faster when spinning

- rifling will improve accuracy for any slug, but isn't necessary for non-sabot slugs

Do not use rifled slugs in a rifled barrel. The thin additional rifling edges added to the lead slug will shear off against the bore rifling.

Also, don't some of you use slugs or a mix of shot and slugs in your HD shotguns?

yes

[justaguy]

.

[JoeH]

[quote="Konaseven]

Also, don't some of you use slugs or a mix of shot and slugs in your HD shotguns?

yes[/quote]

You will get different opinions on this. Personally, I wouldn't use slugs because of the proximity of my neighbors (suburbanite), YMMV.

Take a look at this web page for good info on the subject: http://www.chuckhawks.com/ammo_by_anonymous.htm
There are some new bullets out that aren't reflected in the article. But it's still a good read.

[DeanC]

That 2 3/4" chamber may cause you problems in locating one. Most aftermarket barrels for the 870 I've seen are made for a 3" chamber. Make sure it fits before you buy it, or make sure you can return it.

[westberg]

I believe the 3" chambered barrels will fit the 2 3/4 receiver and are ok to use with only the 2 3/4 shells. Do not use 3" shells.

Ron

[westhope]

Check the "Bargin Cave" at Cabela's. The Owatonna store always has several replacement barrels there.

[ree]

I believe the 3" chambered barrels will fit the 2 3/4 receiver and are ok to use with only the 2 3/4 shells. Do not use 3" shells.

That's what indicates at the site that Joe provided above.

[Dick Unger]

I believe the 3" chambered barrels will fit the 2 3/4 receiver and are ok to use with only the 2 3/4 shells. Do not use 3" shells.

That's what indicates at the site that Joe provided above.

A 2 3/4 " 870 with a steel receiver can be converted to a 3" gun pretty easily by any gunsmith. There is a spring steel part on the side of the receiver catches the shell on the backstroke and flips it out, you dremel that back 1/4", and then the 3" will eject. (It is easier to short stroke it then, remember to pull the slide all the way back when you eject a shell.)

If you don't have a 3" chamber, they can easily ream that out too.

The pressure is the same, there is no safety issue, an 870 is strong enough for anything.

But for slugs (non sabot) I always use 2 3/4 shells. More velocity, and in my guns, much more accurate than 3" shells.

[1911fan]

To answer a few questions brought up here.


A. a 12 gauge 870 receiver with work with ANY 12 gauge barrel. No matter what the printing says about shell size.

B. Use only 3" shells when the receiver and barrel BOTH say 3" or Magnum. In everything else shoot 2 3/4 inch shells.

C. Remember that the only difference between a magnum 870 and a regular 870 is the length of the ejector. It can be switched for about 40 dollars if you feel the need for a magnum 3".

D. There are literally millions of barrels out there. Remington admits to 10 million 870's being built, and at least a couple of million extra barrels. For a simple extra HD gun, go to Gunstop or Ahlmans and see whats in the used barrel rack. A 3" 30 inch full choke plain or Vent rib barrel might cost you 30 dollars. I just bought two for $50 to chop down. A hack saw, a file, and 20 minutes turned them into one perfect HD gun and one 24 inch grouse barrel.

Finally if you have more than one 12 ga shotgun at home for HD, only leave out 2 3/4 inch OO shells, they will work in all guns, and you will not have the problem of grabbing a gun and finding out the ammo won;t fit.

[ree]

Good stuff to know. Now I just have to get off my lazy butt and go looking for one.