20 Gauge magnum

[Okie1297]

I have a 20 gauge 870 express the barrel says 2 3/4” and 3” shells. No where on the receiver does it says magnum. I’m wanting to start turkey hunting with 3” Remington turkey loads would it be ok and safe to shoot it in my gun? I’ve never used 3” shells just 2 3/4”.

[mikelee8815]

Wife shoots an 870 express youth 20 gauge and we shoot 3" all the time. All new express 870s are technically magnum receiver. Shoot away!

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[Okie1297]

Ok thank you.

[Scorpion8]

All new express 870s are technically magnum receiver.

A caveat to that is that all current 870's can handle 2-3/4 or 3" loads as long as the barrel says so. The 3-1/2 loads take the "magnum" receiver, and they aren't that common.

[Okie1297]

Ok so as long as the barrel says 3” it’s ok to shoot them ok thank you I’m new to shotguns.

[Scorpion8]

Yes. The basic 870 ejection port is sized to handle up to 3" shells. Some folks say they can get 3-1/2 shells to eject, but more often as not it'll foul inside the receiver and have to be removed by hand. And unless you know that you have a magnum receiver, stick to what the barrel says. And don't buy a 3-1/2 chambered barrel and slap it on you basic 870 and think you're good-to-go.

[Okie1297]

I won’t especially since it’s a 20 gauge when I do buy a 12 gauge later on it’s probably be a 3 1/2” just so it can handle any size shell like a Benelli supernova or a 870 super mag.

[Scorpion8]

... when I do buy a 12 gauge later on it’s probably be a 3 1/2” just so it can handle any size shell like a Benelli supernova or a 870 super mag.

The 12-ga 3-1/2" load was developed for goose and other fowl that needed heavier loads and to emulate the old 10-ga goose guns. They are punishing loads. Frankly I can't think of a time hunting when I needed one, but I don't hunt geese so mebbe that's immaterial. 12-ga 1-1/8oz 2-3/4 1250fps loads don't bother me at all in trap, but I'm a young 60. Lotsa folks gravitate down in loads to 1 oz, 7/8 oz and such at 1150fps or lower. Going up? Search your reasons.