Remington 870 pattern help

[KYTURKEY]

First, the details of the gun. It's an 870 express super mag with a 28" barrel. This gun used to shoot tremendously well. Almost rifle like. It shot extremely tight at 20 yards. So tight (about the size of a tennis ball), I wouldn't shoot at a turkey inside of 25 yards, for fear of missing. I had shot 2 turkeys at sixty yards. I was shooting Remington's super full choke, with Winchester's high velocity #5, 3" shells. Loved this setup. Then Winchester changed something in these shells, ( powder load or something). It totally screwed up my pattern. I now have a Rob Roberts .660 choke shooting Winchester's extended range #5's, 3". This setup doesn't come close to my old setup. So, my question is, what are you other 870 shooters shooting to get a tight pattern?  I like a really tight pattern for those birds that hang up.

Thanks,
Patrick

[West Augusta]

I have an 870 Express Super Mag with a 28" barrel also. I have a 660 Hastings in it. It patterns terrible with whatever type of shell I try. This year I bought a 24" barrel- a 665 Jellyhead and a bunch of Hevi 13s. I'll let you know what it does when the weather warms up.

[Shadetree Callers]

Personally , I wouldn't want a gun that shoots a tennis ball sized pattern at 20 yds . You gotta remember , turkey hunting is a close-up game and we shouldn't try to create guns and loads that will kill them at far-off distances . The closer , the better for me , you just can't enjoy the animal when you kill them in the next county . Strive to achieve a pattern that will kill turkeys out to 40 yds maximum and you will be able to kill every turkey that gets inside your range . If you build a gun/load that shoots them across the field then you will miss most shots at close birds and you won't get to enjoy the feeling of having a gobbler in your lap . Get close enough to field-judge the spurs and you are gonna have alot more fun . If you still want to reach out and kill a turkey you can barely see, then start with having your gun back-bored to lengthen the forcing cone and it will tighten up your pattern . In my opinion , the Winchester shells don't hold very tight in most guns . You should consider Hevi13's or Nitro loads .

[PA Boxcall]

I had a Mossberg 500 and now a Winchester 1300, and with both I shot the Win Supreme #5 through a Hastings .660 with good success.

Bob's recommendation to switch to Hevi-13 is a good one.  I did the same last year, switching to a Jelly Head .660 and Hevi-13 #7.  Pattern is awesome.

To your question -- my good friend shoots a 870, and he bought a .665 and he too shoots Hevi-13 3-2-7, and gets 240 plus in a ten inch circle at 40 yards.  I would start at least there, JH .665 or .660, if you want to continue to shoot Winchester lead.  You can always change to the Hevi with that choke.

Good luck with your patterning.

[Zumer]

A Rob Roberts  .660 is a tad bit tight for #5......May I suggest a box of Hevi-shot 6's or 7's for that weapon....??

     Did you send the gun down to pattern it w/ his choke or did you just buy the choke??

      Good luck....Zumer

[KYTURKEY]

I talked to the at nationals in Atlanta. Told them the particulars of my gun and what shells I was shooting and the told me I needed the .660.  I have some different shells I'm gonna try. 

[West Augusta]

Shot my 870 Express Super Mag yesterday. 55 degrees, 24" barrel, 665 Jellyhead, Hevi-13 Mag Blends 5,6,7 got 265 in 10 at 40 yards.

[hunter22]

Steve,

That is an awesome number in a 10 inch circle at 40 yds. You should be ready to roll some with that combo.