? for the rem 870 aficionados about non-tox waterfowl loads

[Snowcrest6]

so, i've got an older rem 870 with a fixed, modified choke....for ducks i've been rem heavy shot #2's.

seems like a stupid question but, am i limited to using 2's and smaller in this gun or, can i use it as a goose gun too and shoot t's or bbb?

do i need to worry at all about fps? those #'2 i shoot are about 1300fps, some of the newer loads are running around 1500fps...

is it the shot density that ruins a barrel or a combination of density and speed?

 

[NEhunter]

Shot a lot of geese in my life and so far my favorite load is Kent fasteel 3.5" #2 for honkers. Don't see why you'd have a problem with larger shot though if that's what you want to shoot. This is assuming you have a 3 or 3.5" chamber. If your gun is 2 3/4 you may just want to get another gun if you plan on doing much goose hunting.

 

[Snowcrest6]

Yeah, it is a 2 3/4". I've used BBB for geese but they were the all plastic shells, didn't cycle worth a damn.

 

[Terrapin]

I have killed more than my share of geese. Early on I used a rem 870 with a modified choke. It worked fine. I must say that you are going to be handicapped with the 2 3/4" chamber. That just doesn't pack enough shot to be effective on geese. Additionally, given the vintage of that gun (fixed choke/ 2 3/4 chamber) it is one of the old blued shiny stocked wing masters. That gun was a great firearm and I wouldn't inflict goose hunting on it. I would keep it nice for upland. You can usually find some serviceable 3" mag matte finished 870 or Novas for $250 if you keep your eye out. If you are dead set on using that gun for goose, I would spray paint it with camo paint and use the highest velocity #2 shot I could find (I like the Kents).

 

[Snowcrest6]

Thanks.

 

[Jason Snyder]

No need for T shot. BBs are plenty big for geese, particularly at closer range for the 2 3/4 chambering. Or, you could split the difference and shoot 1 shot if you want to go a little bigger than 2's.

 

[Browtinemt]

3 1/2 in #2s are great goose loads. Those wing masters are incredible pheasant/grouse shooters.