Opening fixed full on Wingmaster?

C

crunch68

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Is it worth doing, or cheaper to try and find another barrel? As only an occasional water fowler, is this the way to go, or is there an inexpensive non toxic shot safe for older fixed choke guns?

Thank-you.
 
If you only shoot #2 steel or smaller your Wingmaster fixed Full is fine. That is from Remington them selves. A high velocity load of #2's or 3's or 4's would work just right. Is it chambered in 3" mag or 2 3/4" ? It makes no difference anyways both if #2 or smaller are OK. I hunted a season with a fixed full in a Wingmaster 16 gauge and made a very long shot on a Canada Goose with hand loaded #4 steel. Worked well and patterned very well.
Darryl
 
Hey Daryl, Thanks. I did not know that. I just assumed steel and fix full chokes were a no no. It's a 3" gun. I even still have some #4 Win 1550 fps I used with another gun that I no longer own.
 
I do not recommend you shoot steel in a full choke...

SHOTGUN BARREL ALTERATIONS FOR STEEL SHOT

Forcing Cone Alteration:

Factory shotgun barrels usually have a fairly short and abrupt forcing cone. The forcing cone is the tapered area just ahead of the chamber where the shell is contained. Altering the forcing cone, so it is one and one half or two inches in length, reduces recoil and improves the pattern density. Trap shooters and skeet shooters have been doing this for many years. It is a good benefit to the steel shot user as well.

Choke Alteration:
Choke designation from the tightest to the most open are:
Extra Full, Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Skeet II, Improved Cylinder, Skeet I, and Cylinder Bore.

Steel shot does not require the constriction that lead shot needs, to produce good patterns. In fact too much constriction, causes poor, erratic patterns, and in some cases, permanently damages the barrel. I have seen barrels bulged at the choke, I have seen barrels where the choke split right open, from using steel shot.

For steel shot, with thin barrels, chokes should be altered to at least Skeet II. Often, over & under, and side-by-side shotguns, are best altered to Skeet I and Skeet II chokes. Heavier barrels can be left at Modified choke but may see an improvement in the pattern if opened slightly.
 
U should be able to have the alteration done for $85- $100 possibly buy a new bbl for $250-300 wingmaster bbl not a express bbl U can get by without doing the forcing cone I have done hundreds of alterations with doing the forcing cone no issues . If u choose to do the forcing cone likely another $65-$85
 
quackquack said:
Bismuth is safe, but swaging the gun or getting a new barrel or trading may be cheaper over the long run than using bismuth.
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Can we buy bismuth again. They stopped using it for shells a couple of years ago now due to of all things enviromental issues and the new version just came back in November but I have not seen any in canada so far.
 
Open up the choke, it makes the gun far more versatile, and makes YOU a better shot. To me, somewhere between IC and Mod is just about right. Great for upland game using lead, and for steel shot with waterfowl.
 
Lots of advice here. Now you have to decide which you want to do. As I said the manufacturer advises use of steel #2 and smaller is acceptable and you stated you hunt waterfowl on occasion and already have some #4 steel shot. If the scenario was 100 rounds a day all season of BB Federal Black Cloud loads I would advise against it too but it isn't.
Darryl
 
crunch68 said:
So Approx $100.00 to reame out my barrel, find another barrel, or $6.00 a shot for shells. About what I thought...Hmmm
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From the Ellwood Epps gunsmithing price list:
"Choke Reaming - Fixed Style (exception: chrome): $65.00/bbl"
Used 870 barrels can be found in the EE for cheap, but not for $65 plus tax.

In its present form, your existing barrel has 2 practical sporting uses: 1) Trap and 2) Turkey hunting.
There are a lot of pre-steel shot 870's out there that now get a regular diet of steel shot through their fixed full chokes with no resulting ring bulges, but this would not sit well with me.
I'd get the choke reamed and not worry about things like barrel scoring. Modern steel shot wads pretty much address that. Besides, 870 barrels are tough and easy to replace.
 
Get it opened up either by a gunsmith or if you know any good machinists ask them if they'd be able to open it up. As has been said it is safe to shoot small steel but I have found patterns to be less then impressive.
Or you could look into having it cut and threaded for choke tubes, I know my local gunsmith only charges about $150 including a choke of your specified restriction.
 
crunch68 said:
So Approx $100.00 to reame out my barrel, find another barrel, or $6.00 a shot for shells. About what I thought...Hmmm
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Me I would leave the barrel alone and pick up a choked tube express barrel. They can be had on the EE for 120 bucks if one watches. Better return also if you ever decide to sell the gun with two barrels vs one with a opened up choke IMO
 
ninepointer said:
From the Ellwood Epps gunsmithing price list:
"Choke Reaming - Fixed Style (exception: chrome): $65.00/bbl"
Used 870 barrels can be found in the EE for cheap, but not for $65 plus tax.

But that is if he can drop the barrel off and epps and pick it up for me I would have to add 50 bucks 25 for shipping each way
115 would just about pick up an express barrel on the EE

Oh yes don't forget to add one of my favorites to the trap and turkey COYOTE hunting :)
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2nd this advice, way less hassle, cost will be similar to having gunsmith do it, and you have a 2nd barrel

3macs1 said:
Me I would leave the barrel alone and pick up a choked tube express barrel. They can be had on the EE for 120 bucks if one watches. Better return also if you ever decide to sell the gun with two barrels vs one with a opened up choke IMO
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3macs1 said:
Me I would leave the barrel alone and pick up a choked tube express barrel. They can be had on the EE for 120 bucks if one watches. Better return also if you ever decide to sell the gun with two barrels vs one with a opened up choke IMO
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Good advice too. Keep the old FF barrel or sell it on the EE to help finance the new barrel.
 
I had a 1957 Wingmaster opened up to modified and it worked fine. Got my first ducks and geese with it before I bought an Express with switchable chokes.
 
The express barrel will have a different finish than the Wingmaster blue if that matters. I believe new express barrels have the detent ball in addition to the new ratchet system. In the event a used express barrel has no detent ball than good luck keeping the mag cap tight. (I know from experience) But 3 macs does make a good point if you can get an express barrel with the detent.
Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
The express barrel will have a different finish than the Wingmaster blue if that matters. I believe new express barrels have the detent ball in addition to the new ratchet system. In the event a used express barrel has no detent ball than good luck keeping the mag cap tight. (I know from experience) But 3 macs does make a good point if you can get an express barrel with the detent.
Darryl
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Put one of the proper spring washers behind the cap and no problem. I have got away with 0-rings also.
Tighten it man :D Just before you try go look at how many pairs of shoes mama has and compare that to your number of wingmasters and it will never come off
Finish?? who care about that duck hunting :)
 
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