Rifled Choke Tube??

[Butthead]

I got my son a Remington 870 20 ga. youth model last year for his first hunting season. It is a smooth bore 870.

The Accuracy on this gun SUCKED!!! I shot about 5 different types of rifled slugs through it, and couldnt get anything to pattern properly or even consistent enough to be confident.

So I went to my local shop, and was looking to get a rifled barrel for the gun. The shop owner talked me into trying a carlson rifled choke tube before spending about the same amount for a rifled barrel as I would for a new slug gun. nice of him to do that...

Does anyone here have any thoughts on rifled choke tubes? Any recommendations on slugs to shoot through it? I'm gonna give it a try this sunday, and see how she performs, but am curious about what you guys that may have tried them before might think...

Thanks

[crabby and son]

Don't waste your time or money. By the time the slug reaches the end of the barrel at the choke tube, it is moving too fast to get good rifling. If you are going to spend the time in the woods and shoot at an animal you should get the FULLY rifled Remington barrel with the cantilevered scope mount. Hastings makes one too. The 20 GA. is very accurate. I use Lightfield sabot slugs. PS Congrats on your marriage.............Gary

[golfinjoe24]

Just get the barrel. Since its an 870, you can find them anywhere.
I have been able to find stuff for my 870 from about anywhere.
If you are looking for a decent quality Choke Tube then your are probly going to pay about $50.
You can get a barrel for 140-160. Its going to be much more accurate also.

[Bug Guy]

Everyone I've ever known who shoots the choke tube misses more than hits when in the field. That's all I cay say. My 870 12g with a smooth bore slug barrel (shorter barrel with rifle sites) shoots good enough from 50-75 yards. However, amo makes a difference for me.

[ketch69]

I wasted money on one a few years ago. No way it can even come close to the accuaracy of a fully rifled barrel.

[H20Chris]

I have actually had an 870 with a Remington rifled choke tube and believe it or not it shot the best with Remington Sluggers and was fairly accurate. It was not a tack driver like a rifled barrel but I killed plenty of deer with it. Just my .02

[chcltlabz]

My 870 12 guage with a rifled choke shot Rem copper solids great. Never tried them further than 100 yards, but I'd keep 3 inch groups at any range I shot with it. I used the clamp on rifled sights too because I couldn't hit a thing with the bead.

I wouldn't dismiss the idea, but a safer bet would be the rifled barrel, but that's no guarantee either.

[rgminer]

I own 2 rifled 12 gauge slug guns. When I bought the first one (a winchester) it came with a smooth bore slug barrel. I tried the rifled choke and had mixed results (I shoot BRI Sabots) Bought the rifled barrel, sighted in a 2.5X shotgun scope and the first deer I killed with it was over 150 yards...Buy the barrel...

[choptankcrabber]

Hey, as long as we're spending your money, might as well take a look at an H&R 20 (I think they make a youth size)- talk about a tack driver, and you can just leave it set up for deer and the other set up for ducks/whatever.

I have a 20 ga 870 smoothbore slug barrel with iron sights (adult)- killed many deer with it, great out to 100 yards, if your eyes are good enough.
I have a H&R 20 ga single shot bull barrel. It is pretty sweet- no need for a followup shot.
I just got a 20 gauge Mossberg combo in youth, includes a ported rifled barrel- haven't tried it out yet. Unfortunately, my son is convinced that he wants to use my muzzleloader for youth day, which is legal. So, the Mossberg might be up for sale soon.

I had a 870 SP 12 ga. with smoothbore, and rifled choke. Never happy with either one. Got a fully rifled barrel, better, but never awesome. Got rid of all three.

[Butthead]

well damn....I can see that I am going to have to do something. I plan to shoot the gun today after his hockey game. I wish he would just shoot my muzzleloader..it actually kicks less than his 20 guage but he is afraid of it. But regardless...if the 20 doesnt shoot, then I am probably going to be done with it. I will sell the whole mess, and get the Mossberg youth combo. I have heard nothing but good things about that combo.

[Bug Guy]

20 guage, 21inch, improved cylinder, deer rifle sites...$159.00 at Cabelas. Probably cheaper at a local shop.

Shoots cheap amo, no $ for a scope, will do the job up to 50 yards. Not a long range barrel, but with the right amo, it'll do fine. If you'd rather go new, or bump him up to 12, going new may be worth it.

Whatever you do, good luck to you and your son!

[Brutus]

Got my son an 870 a few years back (in 12 ga) added the Hastings barrel, it is a tack driver!! 3" group at 100yds off the bench. To me well worth the 160 bucks. Get the gun the way you are comfortable with it and you'll have it to pass down in the future with stories to go with it. Good luck my friend!!
Mike

[Butthead]

Got the choke tube, and fired it off a bench. 2-3 inch group at 50 yards using lightfield slugs.

Soooo...off we went for youth day. He didnt get a shot, but after the hunt, I told him I wanted him to fire it without the bench, and in a simulated hunting situation

first 3 shots were touching each other at 50 yards :eek2: 4th and 5th at 75 yards were within 3 inches. I'd say he's good. :D

thanks for all the replies...now I just need to get him in front of some deer during gun season :thumbup::thumbup: