Im obviously new to this whole shooting thing, Im about to buy a remington 870 wingmaster but it can only shoot to upto 2 3/4" mags, I cannot shoot 3" with it...will that be a problem? nuisance? anything that would annoy the hell outta me? I was told that people mainly want the 3" for shooting ducks and what not so it has more power and crap to hit it with? is that the only reason? again Im probably going to start with the range then move onto hunting white tigers (jk but hunting is in the near future) so will it be a problem? and how so?
About to buy a new gun but what if I cant shoot a 3" mags?
- Thread starter PBNJ
- Start date
I hope you don't plan to hunt white tigers with a shotgun. 
There's nothing wrong with shooting 2-3/4 only. Especially just targets and such. They're usually cheaper and older models being a better crafted gun than they come out of the factory these days. You'd be buying a quality shotgun. Period.
There's nothing wrong with shooting 2-3/4 only. Especially just targets and such. They're usually cheaper and older models being a better crafted gun than they come out of the factory these days. You'd be buying a quality shotgun. Period.
2 3/4 are good for target shooting. If you are to use the gun for hunting, I would get 3" (3 1/2 would be an asset if you hunt geese but for everything else 3" will do)
We used to hunt with 2 3/4 when 3" were not available (a while back) and it did a fine job ... with lead! Now, lead cannot be used in many applications so you need to get more push for steel and this is where 3" shells come in play.
Igor.
We used to hunt with 2 3/4 when 3" were not available (a while back) and it did a fine job ... with lead! Now, lead cannot be used in many applications so you need to get more push for steel and this is where 3" shells come in play.
Igor.
I picked up an older 2.75" Wingmaster a few years ago for $125. It would be fine for target practice and some hunting applications like hunting winter jackrabbits, crows, fox and probably some other circumstances where full choke works fine on upland game. Otherwise I'd have to shoot spreader loads for grouse and woodcock, and I doubt that I'll use it for ducks, but mainly because of its full choke.
2.75" could work fine for some waterfowl situations (jump shooting in small creeks, over decoys) but then you're probably going to be using an improved cylinder choke. The problem with many older guns on waterfowl is not so much the chamber length but the fact that full choke does not work best for most steel loads (patterns too tight and tough on the barrel), especially at the ranges that you'd want to shoot the 2.75"
2.75" could work fine for some waterfowl situations (jump shooting in small creeks, over decoys) but then you're probably going to be using an improved cylinder choke. The problem with many older guns on waterfowl is not so much the chamber length but the fact that full choke does not work best for most steel loads (patterns too tight and tough on the barrel), especially at the ranges that you'd want to shoot the 2.75"
Good info, I do mainly plan on using it in the range but lets say I'm hiking away and mr black bear decides that he doesn't like the fact that I'm a visible minority with a gun and trys to attack me like I'm some white guy in a back alley in compton, will I be able to blast that basted from a distance and put his @ss down successfully with the 2 3/4 shot? or am I going to have to be at kicking distance to annihilate him?
Clearly I put a lot of sarcasm in this post but its just for laughs but im serious about the question beneath it all
Clearly I put a lot of sarcasm in this post but its just for laughs but im serious about the question beneath it all
MapleSugar
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I don't think you'll have a problem, most slug and buckshot loads are 2 3/4" anyways.
I read somewhere that a 2 3/4"slug load generates the same recoil energy as a .375 H&H magnum. Are you sure you would need more than that?
For grouse and pheasant you'll be fine with regular shotshells.
Those old Wingmasters are nice shotguns that were built and finished well.
The Express are just that, they aren't as finely finished and have a lot of rough edges.
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now that is my type of answer, thanks guys!
I'm with bookwork. I have always done most of my shooting with 2 3/4 inch loads. Even for ducks, if you use the right shells there's no problem. I shoot BB shot at everything these days, and most of my shots are fairly close anyways. I have been shooting 3 inch shells the last couple years because I've found some pretty good eals, but that's it. Otherwise I would be shooting my 2 3/4 loads and still taking birds.
Well - the older Wingmaster probably has a fixed choke - likely full. Thats the big disadvantage over a new shotgun with removeable chokes. As a minimum, you will have difficulty shooting steel shot out of the full. And a full choke is sub optimal for upland game hunting, and sports such as skeet.
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blasted_saber
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Why would you think that? Old Wingmasters can take any 870 barrel, just the same as any new 870.
I have an older Wingmaster in 2 3/4, and its fantastic. The quality is superior to any piece of junk 870 Remington puts out these days.
If the one the original poster is buying has an adjustable choke , go for it. Magnum and Super Magnum shells are overrated.
None of the ducks, grouse, rabbits, and other assorted small game I have shot with mine have ever complained (being dead and all).
I also would have no qualms with shooting a bear, turkey, or deer with it.
The only time I would consider upgrading would be if I were to get seriously into goose hunting. For now, it'll kill the goose, just wait for it to come in a little closer.
Shooting ducks, put in a mod choke. For grouse, try an improved.
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And what exactly is superiour about it's quality?
i agree with bookworm. two and three quartershells will take geese ducks foxes and coyotes.if you use slugs deer and black bear are done like toast . just use the proper shot and pattern your gun at the range . every shotgun has its favourite load .as for shooting 3 inch slugs no thanks the recoil will be vicious .
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Have you looked at any hunting board lately? It doesnt take much searching to find a thread about an 870 not properly finished in the factory.
I dont kow about you, but I expect a firearm to be in top notch working condition out of the box. Not having to be worked on to get it to cycle.
My Wingmaster feels like silk cycling it. In comparison, my wifes Express feels like junk. Her gun is 5 years old now, and has over a 1000 rounds through it and it still feels like crap compared to my old wingmaster.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- A blue part of Ontario
I like mine just fine.
Thats good. Theirs far to many lemons in Rem 870s these days.
Wingmaster are far better then Express'. Old Wingmasters even better.
vagrantviking
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The 3" and longer shells were developed to deal with steel shot. You need larger pellets to give the same range and killing power as you get with lead and you need the same number to give you the same patterns. That was the entire motivation behind the development of longer shells. Its also made the 10ga more popular again too.
There is absolutely nothing that you can't do with the 2 3/4" shells (except chamber 3"+ shells) and 100 years back a lot of chambers were 2 1/2" using brass or roll crimped shells. They went up a quarter inch to have the same capacity when star crimped shells became common. Same deal.
There is absolutely nothing that you can't do with the 2 3/4" shells (except chamber 3"+ shells) and 100 years back a lot of chambers were 2 1/2" using brass or roll crimped shells. They went up a quarter inch to have the same capacity when star crimped shells became common. Same deal.
