Barrel for geese and ducks

Grizzlypeg

Grizzlypeg

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What barrel selection would be best for ducks and geese:

1) 28" modified choke
2) 30" full choke
3) 26" modified

and if none of the above, which barrel length would be best, as the chokes can be changed. I'm looking at those Rem 31/2" express 870's at Cabellas. Good gun?
 
For duck hunting, I've used a 26" rem choke bbl on 870s for yrs. The first one I owned was sold to a hunting partner, so I bought another exactly the same.




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Full choke is not a good choice for shooting steel or any of the hard non-toxic lead substitutes. My vote is for the 28" modified.

The Express are very poorly finished IMO. You'd be much better off buying a used Wingmaster 3" Magnum rated for steel shot and forget about 3.5"
 
I'd go with the 28" modified choke. I shot ducks and geese for years with my 3" 870 28"mod. Worked great with #2 Kent Fasteel 3".

Probably the best thing for you to do is to try both barrel lengths out at a gun store (if thats an option for you). See which swings better and feels more comfortable. I don't think 2" of barrel length will have any effect on how the gun patterns, but it may change the balance of the gun and how it feels.
 
26 or 28, not much diff. MOD choke is more important. My opnion is that you don't need 3.5" shells to kill geese, especially around Winnipeg. Last time I was using 3" BB/BBB with Modified, and just slaying them at 30 yards or so.

Then again, I've also kilt them over decoys with Open Cyl and 2-3/4" steel . . .
 
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Grizzlypeg said:
Is there any reason the 3.5" is inferior or restricted in the ammo it can use?
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I don't think you can use non-supermag barrels on the supermag receivers, if I recall. This MIGHT be an issue if you want to swap barrels down the road.
However, the supermag guns can shoot 2 3/4", 3" and 3.5".

In my experience, if you NEED a 3 1/2" shell, your target is out of range. :) They're pricey , and not THAT much more effective than a 3".
 
canucklehead said:
I don't think you can use non-supermag barrels on the supermag receivers, if I recall. This MIGHT be an issue if you want to swap barrels down the road.
However, the supermag guns can shoot 2 3/4", 3" and 3.5".

In my experience, if you NEED a 3 1/2" shell, your target is out of range. :) They're pricey , and not THAT much more effective than a 3".
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The barrels swap fine. I just bought a new 870 3" Mag 20" IC barrel, and swapped barrels with my 3 1/2" Super Mag. (I have the Super Mag turned into my Tac Gun). No problems. I have had it with 3 1/2" shells, Too Much Recoil. I strictly use 2 3/4" shells now for everything but Geese in the later season when it gets colder out, and they have more fat on them. As for chokes, I usually use Skeet, or IC for everything, I find the Kent FastSteel patterns best with the more open choke, YMMV
 
Grizzlypeg said:
Ok, then I will probably get a 28" modified choke 870 Supermag 3 1/2". They raised the price dramatically on the 3".
Click to expand...

Keep in mind all modern (for the last 15-20 years, I think) 870s usually ship with RemChoke barrels - you can put in whatever choke you want. Most that I've seen ship with a full.

But a 28" length is what I've found to be a good all around length. 30" is better for trap, and 26" is better for upland game - right in the middle is okay for both!
 
I see Remington is offering their laminated 870 Express in a 21" Turkey version with vent rib and RemChokes. Add a 26" RemChoke bbl to the mix and you'd be set for both ducks/geese and upland.

Heck, you could even add a saddle type scope mount and a rifled tube with the shorter bbl and be set for a slug gun.



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28 inch barrel with modified choke, I have 3 of them with choke systems and would highly recommend that choice. Bought my first one with 3.5" this year and have been knocking down birds that are normally out of reach. WOW....SBE II in Max-4 camo with Comfor=tech stock takes the kick right out of those 3.5"
P2180510.jpg
 
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