Shotgun help..........

[luvitlo94]

I am looking at picking up a new shotgun and need some input. I want something that I can use for rabbit, turkey, maybe some upland game, and deer. I am looking at a Remington 870 Express Super Mag in camo, with a extra full turkey choke on it. Dicks has them for $360. Does this sound like it would be my best bet (with a few extra choke tubes, and a rifled barrel in the future)? Or is there something else I should be looking at?

Also, is $360 a fair price for this gun, or can I find them cheaper at Wal-Mart or somewhere else?

[TIMfromTroy]

I've been using an 870 Express Magnum for the last 10 years for rabbit, upland, waterfowl and turkey. It's a consistent reliable gun. I've taken more game with it than all my other guns combined.

The 870 super magnum is the same gun only the super can shoot 3 1/2 shells. I think $360 is a little too expensive, you're paying a premium for a camo gun and the ability to shoot a slightly more powerful shell.

I would go to Guns Galore in Fenton and look into a used 870 express which will do everything you talked about for maybe $200-$225. Obviously this is just my opinion and there is nothing wrong with the super magnum, I just think you could do all those things for less money.

PS. I have no affiliation whatsoever with Guns Galore.

[baydog2]

The neighbor just picked up an 870 12ga. express mag for $179 used at a gun shop for his boy. It had the turkey choke and modified choke too. Picked it up Saturday and yesterday and his boy was outshooting us on squirrels. He got 3 and I got one, pops had zero.:lol: Nice gun, I think if they would have not purchased it I would have. Just look around there are some good deals to be had. That gun did not have a scratch on it except where the pump met the receiver which was small wear. This was a full size not a youth model.

[MGV]

Check Miejers and Walmart. I saw the synthetic at Miejers for 299 i believe. I am not sure what all came with it. I am also looking but more for Goose hunting. Look at the Remington SP453(Sparten) semiauto. I am still trying to find more out on it but it looks like a nice gun for a good price.

[jmoser]

Look around and you can find 870 Express deals for $250 or less new, sometimes you can get 2 bbl combos for that after rebate, etc.

You really do not need the 3.5" shells - I would buy the 'regular' 870 and save the extra $$ for a slug bbl, ammo, etc.

[TNL]

I've been using an 870 Express Magnum for the last 10 years for rabbit, upland, waterfowl and turkey. It's a consistent reliable gun. I've taken more game with it than all my other guns combined.

The 870 super magnum is the same gun only the super can shoot 3 1/2 shells. I think $360 is a little too expensive, you're paying a premium for a camo gun and the ability to shoot a slightly more powerful shell.

I would go to Guns Galore in Fenton and look into a used 870 express which will do everything you talked about for maybe $200-$225. Obviously this is just my opinion and there is nothing wrong with the super magnum, I just think you could do all those things for less money.

PS. I have no affiliation whatsoever with Guns Galore.

:yeahthat:

[luvitlo94]

Look around and you can find 870 Express deals for $250 or less new, sometimes you can get 2 bbl combos for that after rebate, etc.

You really do not need the 3.5" shells - I would buy the 'regular' 870 and save the extra $$ for a slug bbl, ammo, etc.
Even for goose? I heard it's good to have a 3 1/2" for that.

I am trying to eliminate having to buy another gun in the future, I would rather spend a little more initially, then need a 3 1/2" down the road and have to go buy a whole new gun.

[luvitlo94]

Oh, and I called Guns Galore and they were asking $395 for the same gun I originally posted about. Everybody else was well over $400, some over $500 (caugh.......BassPro........caugh).

[TIMfromTroy]

Even for goose? I heard it's good to have a 3 1/2" for that.

I am trying to eliminate having to buy another gun in the future, I would rather spend a little more initially, then need a 3 1/2" down the road and have to go buy a whole new gun.


I have shot several Geese with 3" shells using a BB load. That load seemed to work fine. The people who say you need 3 1/2" for goose are the same ones who think a whitetail can't be brought down with anything less than 7mm magnum or 300 win mag.

Like I said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the 870 super magnum. The only point I was trying to make is that you can do the same things for less money. But if you are willing to spend a little extra and will be happier shooting 3 1/2's then I say go for it.

[luvitlo94]

I have shot several Geese with 3" shells using a BB load. That load seemed to work fine. The people who say you need 3 1/2" for goose are the same ones who think a whitetail can't be brought down with anything less than 7mm magnum or 300 win mag.

Like I said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the 870 super magnum. The only point I was trying to make is that you can do the same things for less money. But if you are willing to spend a little extra and will be happier shooting 3 1/2's then I say go for it.
I know (and appreciate) the point you were trying to make. Thanks for the advice :D

[ThumbBum]

I have always said that if I could own only one gun for all my hunting needs it would be a remmington 870 with one rifled cantilever barrel and one REM choke barrel. Personally I think that the 3 1/2in shells are a bit much for most game, but if you dont mind spending a little extra then better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

[luvitlo94]

better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.
Thats my thinking :)

[DRHUNTER]

My son and I have several 870's each. They have had thousands of rounds fired through them with no problems. He has one 870 3.5 inch supermag which he uses for geese and ducks. He shot close to thirty geese this year and never used the 3.5 inch loads. In fact he only used the 3.5 inch shells the first year he owned it and we couldn't see any difference in performance than the 3 inch. I use only 3 inch for ducks and geese and never have been disappointed in the performace of them. One guy we hunt with uses only two and three quarter inch shells and does just as well as anyone else. If the birds are in range then a 3 inch is all you need.

[Nimrod1]

I use only 3 inch for ducks and geese and never have been disappointed in the performace of them. One guy we hunt with uses only two and three quarter inch shells and does just as well as anyone else. If the birds are in range then a 3 inch is all you need.

The wife and I have killed geese with 3" #4 & 3" #6 HEVI shot shells. You just have to hold your shots close.

[Raf]

if you plan to use it for deer i would look for a combo that comes with a rifled barrel. them rifled barrels are expensive by themselves. i got mine a few years ago on sale from dunhams. good luck

[Landsend]

Cabela's just had a Rem 870 Triple pack, you got the Deer barrel, slug barrel, and a choke barrel for $339. I have an 870 express, love it! Sure feed, been shot many of times, and no complaints period.

[luvitlo94]

My son and I have several 870's each. They have had thousands of rounds fired through them with no problems. He has one 870 3.5 inch supermag which he uses for geese and ducks. He shot close to thirty geese this year and never used the 3.5 inch loads. In fact he only used the 3.5 inch shells the first year he owned it and we couldn't see any difference in performance than the 3 inch. I use only 3 inch for ducks and geese and never have been disappointed in the performace of them. One guy we hunt with uses only two and three quarter inch shells and does just as well as anyone else. If the birds are in range then a 3 inch is all you need.
What lenght barrel do you use.

[luvitlo94]

Well, I went to Dicks after work and put a few bucks down on it. I will be going back on Friday to pick it up. Here is what it looks like.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/m870_exp_tky_supermag_camo.jpg

It only has the 23" barrel on it, which is fine for rabbit and turkey, I think I will try it out if I ever go for waterfowl and see how it works.

[DRHUNTER]

I use a 30" with either a Modified or Full choke tube. Depends how the birds are decoying. Usually the full though. I also have a 26" barrel for upland game. However we went preserve hunting for pheasants last week and I used the 30" with Mod. Worked great. My son uses a 28" on both of his 870's. He and I also have an 870 each with cantalever rifled barrels and scoped out for deer. The 30" barrel and 28" barrels are really no difference in performance. I just like the 30' because it has a little longer sight plane and a second bead midway up the barrel. Seems to help me but probably more psychological than anything. Thats a nice looking gun you bought. That shorter barrel will work just as good as the longer barrels in my opinion on Waterfowl, Turkeys, whatever. The short barrel will swing easier and as far as ballistics go the birds will never know the difference. A friend of mine has an 870 just like yours with the same barrel. He excells at pass shooting out of a layout boat with it and does just as well on decoyed Mallards. Plus took a nice Turkey last year with it as well. You can always purchase a longer barrel if you find need for it. Great little guns in my opinion. Good luck