870 Slug Barrel

[Cendiv20]

Hello All,

I have an 870 and will be going deer hunting in a few weeks. Had the original 28" barrel and just purchased a Remington Fully Rifled 20" barrel with Iron sights this past weekend. Just installed it the other night and all is good!

Here is my question, How accurate is the factory setting on the rear adjustable sight and what is that range at? I probably wont get the chance to fire it with the new barrel before I go hunting and want to know what I can expect on distance. Obviously I have shot the gun for many years and that's not new to me, just hoping I don't miss with a way off setting? It is set right in the middle of the adjustment.

Appreciate the response, btw I will be shooting with Hornady 2.75" Slugs.

Thanks

[Synchronizor]

I doubt Remington does anything more than just stick the sights in the middle of their adjustment at the factory. If you haven't sighted your new barrel in, you probably shouldn't try to hunt anything with it until you do.

Shotgun slugs - and their ballistics - vary wildly between manufacturers and types, far more so than any rifle ammunition. And even the exact same slug loads will behave differently in different guns. With slug guns, it's essential to practice with the loads you intend to use so you'll know how they'll behave out of your gun, and can adjust your sights accordingly (or switch to a different load if you need to). There's really no other way to do it.

[Ranger86]

I will second that. Zero your firearm before hunting with it. Period.

From my mobile phone

[HDKorp]

Totally agree. When I finally received the correct slug barrel from Gander Mountain, I went to an inside range to test it. At 20yds (max at that range), it was 3" left & 3" low of zero. At 50yds, it would've been off by 8" or more! A huge discrepancy for a 1-shot, 1-kill scenario.

[Cendiv20]

I completely agree with your opinions, was curious if there was a "set-standard" or something with how it is purchased.... something like "sighted in at 50 yards" or close to.

Great news we are going Sunday to a friends property and can do the proper set up. So I am happy about that. More or less wanted to know how accurate the barrel was going from the box to firing.

Appreciate everyone's feedback and I will report back after Sunday in case anyone in interested.

[Cendiv20]

Just providing an update.

Remington sent the barrel out with the sights centered in the adjustment range and it was not far off. I ended up raising the rear sight to a few marks higher and one mark to the left and I was able to group my shot patterns within a few inches at 50 yards no problem.

Thought I would provide the feedback in case anyone runs into this.

I did not take any shots from 100+ only in the 50 to 70 yard range.

[Synchronizor]

What slugs were you using?

[Cendiv20]

Hornady 2.75". These are the best I have shot, a bit more pricey but they do not drop off as quickly. The hole in the target is much smaller than the standard slug but it zips through the air with a more pointed round.

Also they are much louder...

[Synchronizor]

You mentioned earlier that they were Hornadys, but which load specifically?

[Cendiv20]

Hornady SST Shotgun Slug. REMINDER they are only for fully rifled barrels!

Here is the link.... http://www.hornady.com/store/SST-Slugs