Rechambering my 2 3/4" 870 to a 3"?

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Spear

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I have the opportunity to purchase a replacement barrel for my 870 super mag. The barrel is chambered to accept 2 3/4" shells or smaller. I really want the opption of using 3" shells in that gun. Is it a safe thing to have a barrel drilled out to accept 3" shells? Buying a new barrel is not an option in this scenario.
 
I doubt very much that you can rechamber a 12 gauge barrel, although im not sure. One thing to consider is the reciever itself is probably meant only for 2 3/4" shells itself. This means that even if you put a 3" chambered barrel on it your going to have ejection issues......i've seen it before with 12 and 20 gauge 870's that have 3" barrels but the recievers are meant for 2 3/4" shells.
 
Good points but this is a super mag. (the receiver is made for 3 1/2" shells.)
I know it is done I am just wanting an opinion on wheather this is a safe thing to do or not.
 
Brownells has a set of PDF instructions on doing this. see

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/General/DisplayPDF.aspx?f=Inst-100.pdf

page 3 under notes on conversion speaks to battering of the mechanism but you have a strong action designed for the 3 1/2" shells.

Page 4 on recutting forcing cones and reamers also addresses gun condition.

anyway, some useful information...
 
Yes, they can ream a 2 3/4" chamber to accept 3" shells. Wilson Combat does this as part of their '870 rebuild' deal, and I'm sure others in Canada do it as well. I believe something else needs to be changed as well on the regular 870 receiver internals, but nothing major.

I'm surprised they make SuperMag barrels that only take 2 3/4" shells. I was under the impression that SuperMag barrels wouldn't fit on a normal 870, and vice versa.
 
It isn't a problem at all... I think I have done hundreds over the years... made the forcing cone considerably longer as well... that reduces recoil a bit and improves the shot pattern.

At the same time you should have the choke altered for steel shot if you plan on using steel ...
 
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