870 Wingmaster Barrels

[MOOSE 4 GOD]

Got a 870 Wingmaster and want to buy a 30in. Rem choke barrel for turkeys. How can you tell if your barrel is a light contour or a regular barrel? My dad bought this gun 37 years ago and want to know how you can tell if reciever will take 3in. shells. Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.
Benny

[skeet]

If the gun is 37 yrs old it is NOT a light contour. Only been doing the light contour since the 1990's. The only way that it will shoot 3 inch shells correctly is if it is a magnum receiver to begin with. Now you can put a 3 in bbl on the receiver and it will shoot 3 inch shells but if it is a 2 3/4 in receiver it will not eject the empties..not very well anyway. The ejector on an 870 is fixed in the receiver and on a 2 3/4 inch receiver it is placed a little farther forward compared to a 3 in receiver. Actually the ejector itself is placed in the same spot...but the ejector is just shaped differently for the 2 3/4 and 3 in shells. If it were me I would just go buy a new 870 express shotgun with the rem chokes already in it and use it. A new 870 choke bbl will cost in the neighborhood of 200 bucks and the express guns are selling for 260 at many discount stores. Buy before the end of the month and there is a 30 buck rebate too, I think!! Check the Remington site for details on rebates. Oh ...and ya get to have a brand new toy that way.

[MOOSE 4 GOD]

Thanks Skeet for the info.
Went to remington's web and done some research and your right. This old gun has been a killing machine but over the years and a lot of buckshot and slugs it's now a pretty good skeet gun. Anyway found a pretty good deal on a new rem choke 30 in barrel for 169.00 and free shipping. They also have the mag load in the 2 3/4 and this gun just fits sorrta a point and shoot bring um home. Little mamma don't understand about toys so if I can have 2 guns in 1 it makes it a lot smoother. Lot of memories in this gun since dad bought it for me and he's gone now if you know what I mean. I have read and I don't exactly know what they mean but you can shoot a 3in shell in these recievers if they are not crimped on the ends. These of course are reloaded shells.
Thanks so much for your imput. Makes it alot easier when people like you and their experience give good advise.
May God Bless you and your family
Benny

[jmarriott]

I used the 870 wingmaster 2 3/4 for turkeys just fine. I have a X-full 30 inch non choke barrel and it really shoots the Kent #5 turkey loads the best so far. Used 870 barrels are plentyfull and cheap at times.

You don't really need a 3 incher for turkey's.

[MOOSE 4 GOD]

Thanks J
Just gave my old 870 to my future son-in-law. He has no dad and mom lives with his grandmother and the more he hangs around the more fasinated he is with reloading and shooting. He's 18 and kinda sad when you think about it. Good kid so He's the son I never had. My ACCOUNTANT the misses says I can buy a new one if I do that. Got me a 870 Express 28in barrel at walmart for 268.00 and a 30.00 rebate from remington. Bought the turkey super-full choke on-line. Express comes with modified so I figure now I can shoot AT some turkey and skeet with 1 gun.
Thanks to all you guys that helped. Got my son in law taking a hunters course and we are going hunting this spring. It's kinda funny my daughter complains to the wife the dusty spends more time with me when he's here than her. If you got a daughter thats what a dad is looking for in a boyfriend

Thanks again
Benny

[skeet]

I told ya that would work!! Did you get the one with the laminated stock?? They look kinda neat. I thought I was right about that rebate too. Glad ya got it. Congrats and a nice thing to do for the young'un. Pattern that choke with what you're gonna shoot at them turkeys. Find out where she shoots.

[MOOSE 4 GOD]

Skeet:
Got the black synthetic 28 in barrel. I still have the real walnut stock and forend off the old gun. Makes this express look real nice. Will leave it black for turkeys and change to wood for skeets. Let you know how it does when I get to shoot it. Been having to much fun watching the young'in shoot and teaching him the safety of using a firearm. That old gun still has some good life left in it. Patterns pretty good with 4s rem super express 2&3/4s at 30 yds. The best part of all is seeing the enjoyment its bringing to this boy!!!!!
Thanks so much for your help
Benny