Hello. While duck hunting last fall I was having ejection trouble while using black cloud # 2, 3" in my 870 express 12 gauge. I really had to reef back to get the shell to eject after firing. It felt like it was locked up until I really put out on it. Switched to same size shell in federal blue box the next day and no problems. ( hit my limit faster too) is there a problem with my gun or is it just picky?
Black cloud ejection problems from 870 express
- Thread starter langbanger
- Start date
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
There is some evidence to suggest that Black Cloud ammo is sticky. US based waterfowling sites have been bashing about it for a couple of years. I have to admit that the only ammo that ever stopped an old Mossberg 500 I owned was Black Cloud 3" steel 2. Same problem you have. I don't use it anymore.
Darryl
Darryl
I had one once that used to stick the same way you explained, but mostly with winchester universal loads. A partial solution is to polish the chamber. I used a brash bore brush, wrapped with steel wool. Put some oil on it, put it in the chuck of a drill and let er rip for 15 minutes in the chamber.
The chamber of the express is not what you would call smooth. Polish it up and don't be gentle pumping the gun. I kid my buddies that Black cloud is for ppl who can't shoot good. They brag the cutting pellets go to the outside of the pattern for more lethal pattern. I say they missed by 2'. I've used it without fail in several guns never having issues 3"/3.5". I prefer Kent fast steel it patterns much better. Kill with pattern density on target instead of hoping on a lucky pellet
If you have some fine steel wool the small amount of time it takes to polish is well worth it. Even if you do not plan to use blackcloud again. I had the exact same issue with light loads for skeet and crow with my 870. A quick polish and it cycled so much better
I know I am a little late to this party, but thats the answer to your dilemma in my book and a real easy fix too.
The beauty of a pump is that once the bugs are knocked out you can run just about any ammo through it with little or no trouble at all.
Tight Chokes and Tight Patterns,
Rob
My 870 did the same when it was new. I took it to the trap range, was using Federal loads, no problem. A couple of the guys were kind enough to let me try some of their Win AA and each round stuck after firing, we had to use a rod to get the spent loads out. I took it to a smith that was there that night, he put some steel wool on a brush, attached to his drill for 30-60sec, problem solved and have never had a problem since. Have fired turkey loads, slugs etc since with no problems.
My brothers wingmaster does the same thing but with cheap shells, he took it to his gunsmith buddy who said the chamber was too big in diameter , the cheap stuff would expand too much and get stuck. As long as he uses quality shells there's no problem.
