Opinions: 12 Ga Cylinder bore for Upland Hunting?

[TomZ]

Guys:

I am trying to find a mid-length mod-choke barrel for my Rem 870, but so far no luck.

I do have a 18 1/2 " cylinder bore barrel. Thoughts on using this for upland bird and/or rabbit hunting? Waste of time? I will be hunting in pretty dense brush so I am thinking it may work.

It has been a LONG time I hunted birds.. probably 1992 back in NB. Then I used a 20ga single shot with a Mod choke with good results.

an other option would be to try to fine a inexpensive O/U with mod/IC chokes.

Tom

 

[Sharptail]

For birds use no. 7 1/2 or 8 shot in 2 3/4 inch shells, keep it under 30 yards and you're good to go. Hitting anything with the shorter barreled shotgun is up to you, but the pattern and load will do its part. The really inexpensive U/O's lack the balance and handling for grouse, but a used Beretta or Browning can be found for just under the $1K mark.

Sharptail

 

[Calum]

Practice at the trap range...you might be surprised at what you can hit.

I know allot of hunters that eventually get the barrels threaded for a screw in choke. Or look for them old c-lect/adjustable chokes at gun shows...unless of course they plan to use bear bangers in them (don't use a choke with them bangers).

 

[Turbo]

For birds use no. 7 1/2 or 8 shot in 2 3/4 inch shells, keep it under 30 yards and you're good to go.

X2, I use #7 1/2 and 2 3/4 inch shells. But I've got a 28 inch pump, and improved cylinder choke. Usually shoot chickens on the old logging trails so my shots are usually pretty far.

 

[SuperCub]

Guys:

I am trying to find a mid-length mod-choke barrel for my Rem 870, but so far no luck.

I wish Remington would get on the ball and make some shorter bbls for the 870s. Something around 22"-24" with a rib and tubes would be better for upland. It's either too long (waterfowl length) or too short (goofy tactical length).

Because of this, I gave up on the 870 (for upland) years ago, and started using a SxS in 20ga.

I did find a 20" plain 870 bbl with fixed IC choke last year, but it feels too choppy for grouse. I'll have to try it this fall.

.

 

[Amphibious]

I used a 18" cyl. bore shotgun for grouse and rabbit for a couple years.

advice: GET CLOSE. uber close. breaking clays with a mist og #8 shot, and ethically knocking down game is totally different. the patterns from those short chokeless barrels get wide and thin FAST. inside 20yrds you're fine. #8 for grouse #6 for bunny.

 

[Rod]

The early 1897 Winchester Pump Shotguns, came out with a Brush Gun version. Which was a 26" cyl choke gun designed for close in upland hunting. I've got a two barrel set in a 1901 version -- 26" cyl and 32" F/C. The shorter 26" barrel is great for close quarter grouse hunting here in B.C. For a gun that's 106 years old it functions just fine.

Grouse hunting in trees and brush your shots are close in, perfect for the short barrel, open choke. I use 71/2 shells and also skeet loads work fine with close shots.

Rod

 

[dangertree]

I'll be using a 20" Cyl Bore this fall on upland birds and bunnies. 28" was just too long last year, and the full choke led to some uh... messy situations. Often my shots on hares are less than 20 yards, sometimes way less. I'm figuring the Cyl Bore will be good to go.

 

[rdelliott]

Guys:

I am trying to find a mid-length mod-choke barrel for my Rem 870, but so far no luck.

I do have a 18 1/2 " cylinder bore barrel. Thoughts on using this for upland bird and/or rabbit hunting? Waste of time? I will be hunting in pretty dense brush so I am thinking it may work.

It has been a LONG time I hunted birds.. probably 1992 back in NB. Then I used a 20ga single shot with a Mod choke with good results.

an other option would be to try to fine a inexpensive O/U with mod/IC chokes.

Tom

I've been using my 870 MM, which has an 18-1/2" cylinder bore barrel, for rabbits. It works just fine; like you, I hunt my rabbits in fairly dense brush, and most of my shots are taken at very close range, to the point where I basically decapitated one from the jaw up with my other 870 and a Modified choke tube in a 26" bbl. It was a good thing I'd aimed for the head or else there'd have been a lot of wasted meat.

After that I decided to save the Mod for the grouse, and stuck to either Improved choke or the MM when defending humanity against the leporid menace .

 

[TomZ]

Thanks for all the input guys. I am going to keep trying to find a mid-length barrel with chokes.. or perhaps get a barrel threaded to take chokes. If all fails I will use my 18.5 barrel and only take the short shots.

Tom