Hastings barrel field report

H

HerrJaegermeister

New member
I recently purchased a 26-inch Hastings Wadlock II barrel for my 870 Wingmaster. It replaced a factory 30-inch barrel with a modified choke.

After taking it to the field and shooting rooster pheasants in Iowa and Nebraska, I am super happy with my purchase. I am using the improved cylinder choke with Federal Premium No. 5 shot "Ultra Pheasant" loads.

The mix of the open choke and shorter barrel has been deadly on roosters. The barrel points right where I am looking with the proper shotgun mount. I pulled the fancy wood off the Wingmaster and put on black synthetic stocks to make sort of a Franken-870 that works great for me.

Soon I will put on my Hastings Paradox fully rifled slug barrel topped with a scope and hopefully put a Federal Barnes Expander into a large Iowa deer.

One hunting shotgun + three barrels = happy hunter.

(I also have grandpa's Ithaca Model 37 Featherweight, but I don't use that in the field. It's too nice.)
 
Thanks for posting, HJ. Those Hastings bbls are looking better all the time. And it sounds like you've found a good combination for your style of hunting.

And do take your ancestor's Ithaca out once in a while. He'd want you to, probably...
 
Thanks for the post; I was wondering if I should get a Hastings for my 20-year-old 870, and now I know the answer. BTW, how much did your's cost, and where did you purchase it from?
DAL
 
Last year, I installed a Hastings WadLock II 26 inch on my Browning 12 Mag A-5. That barrel rejuvinated the old Belgium Browning. I am a big supporter of Hastings now, and have recommended them to others.
 
I purchased mine from Cabela's

After serious searching for the lowest price on Hastings barrels, Cabela's came out the best. I paid $214 plus shipping.

I am very picky about quality and craftsmanship. Upon close inspection, Hastings barrels have perfect machining, polish and finish. The choke tubes also seem very well made.

As much as I hate to say it, those Frenchies do a good job. I am also a huge fan of Vuarnet "Verboten" model polarized sunglasses and Rossignol cross-country skis. Their people may be rude snobs, but us Germans have been known to be a bit cross at times.

Customer service with Cabela's was perfect, of course. They have them in stock and ship quickly.

www.cabelas.com
 
Get that wadlock on paper, they sure throw pretty patterns. I played with one on an 870 several years ago. The Hastings chokes ARE some or the best on the market also. They are round, and in the proper constriction for what is marked every single time. Lots of more expensive chokes are not.

I have been a big supporter of Hastings for a long time, they really do make a quality product.
 
I have the hastings 30" & 34" wadlock for my 870 these barrels are great. Very tighter patterns than the org 28".

I also sport the 20" rifled slug barrel. It too is great. Cabela's is the best to go for in stock bbl or contact hastings for the distributor in KS.
 
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