I bought an 870 early this year for my first turkey season. I'm wondering how it would be to hunt deer with. I applied for a few hunts that are muzzle or shotgun only. I have the model that will shoot 2 3/4, 3, & 3 1/2 and the magnum. My question is, would I need a special barrel just for slugs or could I just use mine with an open choke?? The choke mine came with is Mod. and obviously i have an full from turkey season.

First let me start with congratulations on the acquiring of a good shotgun.

I have several 870's myself. the modified choke that came with it will allow you to shoot standard slugs such as the reminton slugger. I have had good luck with federals tru-ball slug out of a Improved Cylinder choke.

you can even purchase a rifled choke tube for it that will allow you to shoot sabot slugs. If you go this route try the reduced rcoil slugs or slugs with lower velocities. the twist rate in these chokes are rather slow and will not do a good job of stabilizing a slug launched at high speeds.

and as with any firearm a good sighting device will help alot. try some adjustable fiber optic sights and accuracy will improve over the standard bead sight.

I have a 20 gauge 870 that I shoot with a smooth bore slug barrel, I love this setup and with rifled slugs in it I am accurate out to 85 yards. I also have a 12 gauge 11-87 that I have a rifled slug barrel with open sights, with sabot slugs I can accuratley shoot this to 150 yards. Lastly, my father shoots a 12 gauge 870 wingmaster shotgun with slugs and has done so for the past 30 years very successfully. With this gun he uses the factory barrel, and it is a fixed choke barrel in full. This is probably not recomended, but he has many trophies on the wall to prove that it works. He is accurate out to 50 yards, but has to compensate every shot because his gun shoots low and to the left, and he shoots with a bead.

Even though an Improved Cylinder would probably be best the modified will work just fine as the gentleman said with Remington type slugs. You can also get a side mount for the 870 that fits in the fire control pin holes on the receiver and you can even mount a scope,red dot, or other optic on the shotgun making one heck of a deer gun.

sounds like you have all the advise you need, they pretty much covered everything.

Kevin

best thing to do is just set up a target and get a rem slugger and shoot and see where you are hitting

I had one with a Hastings rifled barrel, and it would shoot very well. Like the others have said you can figure on 50 yards or so with a standard barrel and an open choke. Figure on at least 125 with a fully rifled barrel. Rifled choke tubes really don't do much.

I would not add a scope unless you get a new barrel. I just don't think you need one at 50 yards. If you do get a rifled barrel, make sure and get a cantilevered barrel. The only drawback with an 870 is they are difficult to mount a scope on. The barrel will shift slightly in it's seat even when you have everthing tightened. That is why it's good to have the scope right on the barrel

Kevin

I have killed the past 2 deer with an 870 with the factory slug barrel. Both deer have dropped with the good shot placement. They shoot well and are great guns all around.

I have a 12 Remington 870 with a slug barrel. I love it. I hunt with this gone more than my rifles. I shoot the Hornady SST slugs and they are unbelievable. I have killed 4 deer, numerous coyotes and wild hogs with this slug. The specs on this type of slug are unlike any other. I highly recommend at least checking into that type of slug if you can. I killed a 11-point two years ago and 152 yards and was afraid the slug didn't do much damage after the shot. When I picked up the trail he went 40 yards and piled up. It went through both front shoulders and left holes that you could stick Highlighter marker in. Needless to say because of that slug I have my biggest deer to date.

Thanks guys. That's more info than I expected. I think I'll just go pick up some smooth bore slugs and just see how they hit on the target to start with. Luckily in the type of woods i hunt in you dont often shoot farther than 50 yards. Thick stuff.

I have an improved cylinder (slug barrel) in my Black Beauty (12 gauge 870) and it works wonderful. I have taken a deer each of the past seasons with it. Also, got me a coyote at 150 yards so get you a good scope. It is a wonderful gun that will bring you a lot of joy and success. Hope yours works as well for you as mine has for me.
Enjoy and Happy Hunting.
CJ

It's called B-Square. And on Remingtons it comes mounted with a 2.5x20 scope.

http://www.arrowslinger.com/forums/default...osts&t=1259

Read that thread...that explains it pretty well.