The Remington 870: A Foundation of Excellence
The crisp morning air bites at your cheeks, the pre-dawn stillness broken only by the distant gobble of a tom. This is the moment. The culmination of weeks of scouting, preparation, and anticipation. And at the heart of your success, lies the effectiveness of your shotgun, particularly its Remington 870 turkey barrel. For hunters seeking to consistently outsmart those wary spring gobblers, the right setup is everything. This guide delves deep into the specifics of selecting, setting up, and utilizing a Remington 870 turkey barrel to significantly increase your odds in the turkey woods.
Before we get into the specifics of the turkey barrel, let’s appreciate the weapon it is attached to. The Remington 870 is more than just a shotgun; it’s an American icon. For decades, this pump-action shotgun has been a cornerstone of the hunting and shooting world, revered for its dependability, ease of use, and unwavering reliability. Built on a simple yet robust design, the Model 870 has earned a reputation for enduring countless rounds and handling everything from small game to waterfowl with equal aplomb. Its popularity stems from its affordability, aftermarket support, and inherent accuracy.
The beauty of the 870 lies in its versatility. Its modular design allows for easy barrel changes, making it readily adaptable to various hunting scenarios. Whether you’re after whitetail deer, ducks, or other quarry, the 870 can be configured to suit the task. And for turkey hunting, the ability to swap in a Remington 870 turkey barrel transforms the 870 into an exceptionally effective predator-hunting machine.
Why You Need a Turkey Barrel
The standard barrels that come with most shotguns, while perfectly adequate for certain applications, are often not optimized for the specific challenges of turkey hunting. Here’s where the Remington 870 turkey barrel comes in. Its design focuses on achieving one crucial goal: maximizing the density of the shot pattern at extended ranges.
The primary objective of a turkey barrel is to deliver a tight, concentrated pattern that effectively puts pellets on target, crucial for a quick and humane kill. A tighter pattern ensures more pellets hit the bird’s vital areas, increasing your chances of success. This leads to a cleaner kill and reduces the chance of wounding the bird. Without a specialized Remington 870 turkey barrel, your standard barrel might disperse the shot too widely, leading to a lower percentage of hits, and potentially, a missed opportunity or a wounded turkey.
Key features of a turkey barrel include a shorter barrel length, typically ranging from twenty to twenty-four inches. This provides better maneuverability in the often-dense cover where turkeys are found. They’re also almost always threaded to accept interchangeable choke tubes, allowing you to fine-tune your pattern for various ammunition types and distances. Furthermore, they often have a matte finish to reduce glare, which is particularly important when hunting in bright sunlight. Sometimes you will also see them with fiber optic sights or rails for scope mounting, both of which assist in precise aiming.
Choosing the Right Barrel for Your 870
Selecting the correct Remington 870 turkey barrel is a critical step. The right choices will significantly impact your performance.
Gauge-related Considerations
The most popular choice for turkey hunting is undoubtedly the twelve-gauge, and that is what we recommend. It provides the optimal combination of power and pellet count. While other gauges are available, the twelve-gauge gives you the best versatility.
Barrel Length Considerations
The length of the barrel you select impacts a number of things. A shorter barrel, say around twenty-one inches, is generally preferred for its enhanced maneuverability, especially in dense underbrush or tight blinds. A slightly longer barrel, perhaps twenty-four inches, often provides a slight advantage in terms of balance and sight radius. The choice here depends on your hunting style and the terrain you typically encounter.
Choke Tube Selection
Choke tubes are the heart of pattern optimization. The choke constricts the shot column as it exits the barrel, controlling its spread. For turkey hunting, you’ll want an extra-full or super-full choke. These are designed to produce the tightest possible patterns. The appropriate choke type, coupled with the right shotshells, will ensure a deadly combination.
Sights Considerations
Sights can greatly impact your accuracy. While some hunters prefer a simple bead sight, fiber optic sights offer a brighter aiming point, especially in low-light conditions. If you like the idea of increasing your range, consider mounting a red dot sight or low power scope.
Brands and Models
A wide variety of aftermarket manufacturers offer excellent turkey barrels designed specifically for the Remington 870. When shopping, research brands that are known for quality, durability, and accuracy. Some popular and well-regarded manufacturers include (but aren’t limited to): Carlson’s, Trulock, and Mossberg.
Used vs. New
You can often find used Remington 870 turkey barrels. If you are considering buying used, inspect it carefully for any signs of damage or wear. Test firing is always recommended if possible. New barrels offer the assurance of factory quality and often include a warranty. Consider your budget and your willingness to invest in a potentially pre-owned product.
Ammunition for Maximum Impact
Choosing the right ammunition is just as important as selecting the right Remington 870 turkey barrel. The best barrel won’t help much if you are using the wrong ammunition.
Matching the Ammo to your Barrel
The optimal ammunition will vary depending on your choke tube and the specific barrel. Experimentation is crucial.
Popular Turkey Load Choices
Many turkey hunters rely on high-performance loads specifically designed for the task. Buffered lead shot and premium options such as tungsten and bismuth offer exceptional pattern density and downrange energy.
Shot Size
The size of the shot you choose has a significant impact on pattern density and effective range. #4, #5, and #6 shot sizes are all commonly used, with #5 and #6 often being favorites for their balance of pellet count and energy.
Pattern Testing is Paramount
Regardless of your barrel and ammunition choices, patterning your shotgun is absolutely essential.
Patterning: The Key to Precision
Patterning is the process of firing your shotgun at a target at various distances and analyzing the resulting shot pattern. This crucial step helps you determine the effective range of your setup and identify the best ammunition for your specific needs.
How to Pattern your Shotgun
1. Choose the Target: Start with a large paper target, such as a sheet of cardboard, or a specialized patterning target. Draw a clear aiming point in the center.
2. Set Up the Range: Establish a safe shooting range. Start at twenty yards.
3. Fire at Various Ranges: Fire a shot at your target at each range, typically in increments of five to ten yards.
4. Analyzing your Patterns: Examine the pattern on the target. You want to see a dense, even distribution of pellets, with the majority of them clustered within the target circle.
5. Adjustments and Further Testing: Depending on your results, you may need to experiment with different choke tubes, shot sizes, or even ammunition brands.
Ethical Hunting and Effective Patterning
When evaluating patterns, pay close attention to the density of the pattern and the overall distribution of the pellets. A minimum of 100 pellets within a ten-inch circle at the distance you intend to hunt is generally considered a good standard. The key is to optimize the pattern density to maximize the likelihood of a clean, ethical kill.
Putting it all Together: Hunting with Your 870
Once your Remington 870 turkey barrel is set up and patterned, you’re ready to hunt.
Safety First
Always prioritize safety. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Be aware of your surroundings and always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
Stance and Shooting Techniques
Practice your shooting form. A solid stance, a proper cheek weld on the stock, and smooth follow-through are essential for consistent accuracy.
Ethical Shot Placement
Understand the range limitations of your setup. Only take shots within your effective range to ensure a humane kill. Aim for the turkey’s head and neck.
Maximum Effective Range
Determine the maximum effective range of your setup based on your patterning results. This is the furthest distance at which your pattern provides sufficient pellet density for a clean kill.
Maintenance and Care
Keep your Remington 870 turkey barrel in top condition with regular maintenance.
Cleaning the Barrel and Choke Tubes
After each hunt, thoroughly clean your barrel and choke tubes to remove any powder residue or fouling.
Proper Storage
Store your shotgun in a safe and secure location.
Regular Maintenance
Inspect your shotgun for any signs of wear or damage. Replace any worn parts as needed.
In Closing
The Remington 870 turkey barrel, paired with a quality choke and the right ammunition, can be a game-changer for your turkey hunting success. By understanding the components involved, selecting the appropriate gear, and taking the time to properly pattern your shotgun, you’ll be well-prepared to consistently harvest those elusive gobblers. Embrace the process, learn from your experiences, and most importantly, enjoy the challenge of the hunt. May your spring seasons be full of success.
