Choosing shotshell's for a Remington 870 XCS Marine Magnum

IVIeltdown

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Hi there...

I recently purchased my first shotgun, a Remington 870 XCS Marine Magnum. It accepts 12 ga. 2 3/4" and 3" shells (3" chamber) and has an 18" barrel with a fixed cylinder choke.

I'm a little overwhelmed with all of the shotshell's out there as to which types are compatible with the 870 XCS MM.

From what I understand, buckshot is the best for home defence for its penetration (read: stopping power) properties when compared to birdshot. Are there any concerns shooting steel vs. lead?

As for slugs, from what I've read they should be rifled slugs for this particular shotgun (smooth bore) rather than sabot slugs. Not sure that I'm on the right track.

Any suggestions as to specific shells for home defence or general shooting of shi*? Also, shells that should not be used. Not much information in the manual on shotshell selection and I'm having a hard time collecting usefull/credible info using "google magic".

Maybe I'm just reading too much into this. I just don't want to feed any shells through my shotgun that may have adverse effects.

Thanks in advance! :shotgun:
 
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http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/shotdetail.aspx?symbol=X12PPVP&bn=1&use=3
Slugs for making large holes at a distance
http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/shotdetail.aspx?symbol=X127&bn=1&use=6
Target loads for general shooting these are fairly cheap
http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/shotdetail.aspx?symbol=SB1200LR&bn=1&use=4
Buck shot for whatever
The big three amo companys all make these same shells with slight variations, you can get most of them at your local Crappy tire.
 
Anything really, except 3.5". And you won't find sabotted slugs to have accuracy to be worth the price, unless you also have a rifled barrel.

Brand new modern design name brand shot gun, go nuts. Rifled slugs, buckshot, target loads, game loads, etc. You probably aren't going goose hunting with a fixed cylinder choke, so don't worry about buying steel shot. Lead is MUCH cheaper, and can do anything that gun would be asked to do. Have fun, get shooting :shotgun:
 
you can shoot buckshot in 2 3/4" and 3" theres cheap birdshot for shooting stuff and then theres slugs again in 2/34 and 3 inch

you use heavy buckshot for hunting large game such as deer or bear

slugs for large game as well

birdshot in many sizes are used for bird hunting all birds using different sizes ranging from BBB biggest to #12 smallest you can find charts on the web to see what size shot is best for which bird species you want to hunt....

7 1/2 shot size birdshot is commonly availible in large vlaue paks of 100 round for around $20 thease are desisned for clay shooting and are also fun and economical for some pratise at the range on pop cans and what not....

good luck with the new gun:)....
 
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