Newb to waterfowl hunting - advice on barrels

[H Wally]

H'ok. I've got a Rem 870 express mag (I know people don't like them) that has served me beautifully for the last 4 years as a rough and tumble woods and slug gun. The gun currently has a rifled slug barrel. I sold my smoothbore shotgun that I used in shot only areas for deer and now I'm stuck for both deer and birds.

Also, I'm considering waterfowl hunting. I've never done it before, and don't know anyone who does so I'm without guidance. Geese are more likely than ducks, just due to what's around me... lots of geese, few ducks. What kind of barrel would you buy, and why? I've seen 20 inch barrels, 26, 30 and more, plain and vent ribbed, fixed choke and remchoke.

Frankly after reading all the google articles I can find I'm still no closer to telling what's worth the money and what's just an excessive waste of cash.

 

[JGL]

Shorter barrels are usually reserved for turkey or deer hunting: shooting at a standing target. The longer barrels are better normally for wingshooting because since they are longer, they are a little heavier and thus swing a little more fluidly. I use a 28" on my 870 and 935.

 

[IH8ATTN]

Shorter barrels are usually reserved for turkey or deer hunting: shooting at a standing target. The longer barrels are better normally for wingshooting because since they are longer, they are a little heavier and thus swing a little more fluidly. I use a 28" on my 870 and 935.

26 at a minimal and 30 at a max but ideally 28 imo

 

[H Wally]

Interesting. And any consensus on the value of remchokes versus fixed (I can see them being useful... just not sure about value/actual function)? On plain vs ventribbed barrels?

 

[jaydog]

26 at a minimal and 30 at a max but ideally 28 imo

Good advice there.

As far as fixed vs. remchokes- you can get by with fixed chokes no problem BUT having the choice is nice. Start the season with an open choke since your shooting is rusty and the ducks are green and in close and be able to swap it out and finish with a tight choke to throw a tight pattern farther when your shooting has sharpened up a bit.

As far as waterfowl goes (I'm assuming you are still here in Victoria) your options are limited. Knowing a landowner is the crux of the matter. There is coastal hunting in public areas though up the island so you should be able to work something out with a bit of effort.

 

[H Wally]

True - land isn't as much of an issue as I'll be far more mobile this year, it's just getting the equipment needed with enough time to get familiar with it before the season starts.

So, consensus is any 28 inch barrel with remchokes? should cover just about all my bases?

 

[3macs1]

True - land isn't as much of an issue as I'll be far more mobile this year, it's just getting the equipment needed with enough time to get familiar with it before the season starts.

So, consensus is any 28 inch barrel with remchokes? should cover just about all my bases?

That sounds good to me.

 

[sherlockbonez]

26 or 28 are fine. Now the hard part begins. What calls and decoy and how are you gonna carry it all.

 

[Turkeyslayer 1300]

26 or 28 are fine. Now the hard part begins. What calls and decoy and how are you gonna carry it all.

The shotgun is the cheapest part of real waterfowling, gas for one season for me runs around 1000$.

If you are hunting out of a blind a 28inch barrel is probably best, out of a layout boat or blind you could go as short as 22 and be fine.

When you do purchse your barrel get a Modified and an Improved cylinder choke and pattern at 20, 30 and 40 yards. Look for even patterns with no gaps, not necessarily most pellet hits.

 

[JamesM]

24, 26 or 28 and what turkeyslayer said.

 

[svehn]

For waterfowling, be sure to get a barrel and the chokes for steel shot. That is very important to remember.

 

[blasted_saber]

26-30" for waterfowl. You can find an old 30" full choke barrel, have it cut and reamed out to mod, or have chokes installed. Those 30" barrels typically go for $50 or so.

Or just pick up a 28" with remchokes. I like improved for decoying, and mod for pass shooting. I scooped a NIB one off the EE two years ago for $100

Dont shoot steel through full choke unless it specifically says "steel" on it. The other sub-full choke remchokes wont be marked steel. Only when they to full + does Remingtonn mark them steel or lead.

 

[xtremacanuck]

With steel shot a long barrel isn't necessary. I have a 26" on my Beretta, and find it manageable in the blind. Too long is cumbersome.

 

[catnthehatt]

With steel shot a long barrel isn't necessary. I have a 26" on my Beretta, and find it manageable in the blind. Too long is cumbersome.

A ,long barrel isn't needed for lead either....
Cat

 

[jackrabbit000]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a Remington Express Magnum. You buy what you like or can afford. I have both a 28" and 30" full choke barrels on my 870's. I like the 30" one better myself.

 

[7.62mm]

26" or 28" barrel, IC, Mod or IM choke, and #2 Black Cloud for Geese and #4 or #6's for ducks! You can't go wrong with that combo. The Black Cloud is pricey, but works awesome!