Witch barrel for my 870

[Fjellvang]

Hello from Norway!
After doing some hunting in the earlie winter months, I want to try a shorter barrel on my 870.
What barrel length will match a original Remington +2 magazine extension?
And what kind of sight should I go for? I have been thinking of the normal bead sight, but I havent decided yet.

[Synchronizor]

Welcome to the forums.

An 18.5" barrel will match the length of the Remington +2 extension.

Note: the extension should ideally be clamped.

Rem+2_cropped.JPG (33.67 KiB) Viewed 6059 times

For sights, it'll depend on what you want to use this build for.

A simple bead sight makes for very fast target acquisition and an open sight picture. A vent-rib is also nice, but for a 12ga, you'll have to cut a longer barrel down if you want that. Other systems like rifle or ghost-ring sights can be more precise for shooting at longer ranges, but it'll generally take longer to get them lined up on a target, especially if you haven't had a lot of practice.

Personally, I like a bead sight on my 18.5" barrel, since I use that barrel for short-range work, and I prefer to keep things as simple as possible. If you're going to be choking this barrel for longer-range shots, or shooting slugs, you might be better off with a different setup. Some people just prefer to use one sight system for everything.

[Fjellvang]

I guess bead sight is the safest way to go
Mainly I just use the shotgun for bird hunting (grouse, wood grouse, crows, ravens, etc).
I also tried to hunt rabbit and fox, but no luck so far
I guess I'm going to buy a 18 ½ barrel with bead sight, going to see if I can find with a modified choke.
I would really like a barrel with changeable chokes, but I can't find them on the shorter barrels it seems.

[Synchronizor]

I guess I'm going to buy a 18 ½ barrel with bead sight, going to see if I can find with a modified choke.
I would really like a barrel with changeable chokes, but I can't find them on the shorter barrels it seems.

Assuming you're talking about a 12ga; both Remington and Carlson's offer 18.5" bead sight barrels that are threaded for interchangeable Rem Choke tubes.

I guess bead sight is the safest way to go
Mainly I just use the shotgun for bird hunting (grouse, wood grouse, crows, ravens, etc).
I also tried to hunt rabbit and fox, but no luck so far

If you'll be using this barrel primarily for hunting, a bead sight might not be the best choice. At least, it wouldn't be what I would use; If you have good reason to think a bead sight is best for you, go for it. However, if you're just trying to build a faster-handling hunting piece, a 21" - 24" Rem Choke vent-rib may serve you better than an 18.5" bead-sight. The latter is more of a point-and-shoot combat barrel - fast to acquire, but not exceptionally precise when shooting reflexively.

What barrel do you have on the gun now?

[rythomas0704]

I have the original vent ribbed express barrel on mine still which I believe was around 25" before I chopped to 18.25". I reinstalled the bead sight and that's all I have done so far. I do use it on my property of about 3 acres for small stuff. I get rabbit no problem, but rabbits are pretty stupid on my property for some reason LOL, have gotten a turkey or two as well as they tend to get pretty close to my house. However if I plan on doing any long range shots then that 18.25" barrel is worthless. LOL I would do your research and ask around too. Not to mention that guy Synchronizor really knows what the heck he is talking about so take heed to his advice. Maybe look around online, say ebay for some used barrels this way you are not spending too much money in case it is not what you are looking for. I personally like the tactical barrel from remington as it is 18.5" and has the Rem-choke option This way if you want to keep it short you can pop in a different choke for different occasions. With the right choke you can roll some varmint from a good distance on a short barrel. Good luck.

[Fjellvang]

Have only checked the barrels at one Norwegian importer, I have to see if there are several importers of barrels for Remington.
The barrel is mounted on the gun now are 26 "or 27", someone who I thought was too far in the dense forests ..

Is it really that big difference in accuracy with different lengths?

I am not going to cut the barrel, have seen one that had cut the barrel right above the front of the original magazine and the spread on the bird shot was insane..
eBay is probably the cheapest place to find a new barrel ..
However as there are few who would send weapons parts to Norway ..
In Norway does one barrel cost from $ 270 and up
Have bought 2 stocks from ATi, but then we fixed payment per e-mail

I have tryed to find the +2 magazine on eBay, but same problem.
The price in Norway is $150 + shipping (about $35)

[rythomas0704]

It is not so much as accuracy as is range. Huge loss in range. And of course loss in range means loss of accuracy at range. But it all depends on what you want to do with it. Mine as is right now is meant for close quarters to mid range.

[Synchronizor]

Have only checked the barrels at one Norwegian importer, I have to see if there are several importers of barrels for Remington.
The barrel is mounted on the gun now are 26 "or 27", someone who I thought was too far in the dense forests ..

Is it really that big difference in accuracy with different lengths?

I have a 28" vent-rib barrel I use for trap shooting. It's a nice length for trap, field, or waterfowl, but it doesn't make for a very nimble gun, and I don't run it if I'm packing the gun through heavy brush.

A longer barrel will give you a longer sighting plane and a little extra velocity, but it won't really change your pattern or the inherent accuracy of the gun itself. What it does do is give the gun the inertia for a nice, steady swing when following a bird or target.

I am not going to cut the barrel, have seen one that had cut the barrel right above the front of the original magazine and the spread on the bird shot was insane..

Cutting a barrel down removes the choke and leaves it with a cylinder bore. The choke is what determines your pattern, not the length of the barrel. Birdshot spreads fast out of a cylinder choke, making it next to useless for long range shooting. If you get a shorter barrel with interchangeable chokes, you can still put out just as tight a pattern as with a longer barrel, but it'll be faster to bring on target. If you're not shooting at flying game, you don't need a long barrel for a steady swing, you'll be aiming the gun more directly.

[Synchronizor]

Have only checked the barrels at one Norwegian importer, I have to see if there are several importers of barrels for Remington.

eBay is probably the cheapest place to find a new barrel ..
However as there are few who would send weapons parts to Norway ..
In Norway does one barrel cost from $ 270 and up
Have bought 2 stocks from ATi, but then we fixed payment per e-mail

I have tryed to find the +2 magazine on eBay, but same problem.
The price in Norway is $150 + shipping (about $35)

If you're not having any luck elsewhere, Carlson's offers barrel services including shortening and choke tube installation for fairly reasonable rates. I know they do some stuff internationally, though the site doesn't mention Norway specifically, and I have no idea what laws y'all have for that kind of thing.

Remington's parts information page gives this information for a parts center/dealer in Norway:

JAKT & FRILUFT AS
P.O. Box 1610 STOA
Stoa Industriomrade
N-4848 Arendal, Norway
Phone #: 011-47-370-60700
Fax #: 011-47-370-28550
Contact: Are Venemyr
Email: jogf@jaktogfriluft.no

If you can't find something locally or from a 3rd-party seller, these folks should be able to order in any specific Remington part you can legally import and own. You can download the complete 2012 parts price list here.

[Fjellvang]

Have not bought barrel yet, since next month is full of various Norwegian taxes that's need to be payed..
Was so lucky to find one on eBay that was willing to send me a Mesa 6 shot shell holder from Canada ..
So this is going to be ordered soon

I'm also waiting for the Norwegian Midway to get +2 magazine in stock,.,.