New shotgunner here

R

Rabbitt

New member
Hi. New to this part of the forums and also brand new to the world of shotguns. I have recently been exploring the options for a home defense shotgun. Did a lot of reading and talking to experienced people. Finally settled on what I wanted.
Last weekend I was in Cabela's and they had what I felt for me was a good price on the Remington 870 express, or home defense, or tactical or what ever you want to call it. I picked it up along with an ATI stock with pistol grip and the heat shield with ghost ring sights.
Now I know I will get a bit of grief for wanting the sights but that is ok. I need to transition from my pistols and a couple of small rifles and felt it was the way to go for now.
Managed to get out to the local indoor range on Wednesday with a buddy who has shotgun experience and was willing to get me started.
OMG! :eek: Was that ever an experience!
I shot 20 rounds of the range 00 buckshot and loved every minute of it. Yes I do have a couple of small bruises on my arm and am a bit sore but a lot less than I was afraid it was going to be. I am glad I paid attention to the advice out here and did not go for the pistol grip only. Thanks for that.

Now without further ado let me get onto the gun **** that everyone is waiting for.
The shotgun itself.
rem_870.jpg

Keep in mind that this is the first time I ever shot a shotgun (and I am in my 60's) and this is at 15 ft and the first 5 shots from the new bangstick. 2 shots at the X, 1 shot at the 8, and final 2 at the 9.
1st_time_15ft.jpg
 
I was 18 when I first shot a shotgun and thought that was bad. Well, I guess not. But now, 3 years later, I own 6 guns that shoot shotshells so I'm doing good. But I am wondering, why the ATI stock? And if you want more than just 00, Federal makes 000. And try shooting at more than just 5 yards.
 
Thanks guys. Planning on adding the wear marks soon.

WV_gunner. ATI stock because the stock it came with was standard wood stock and right now felt too long to be comfortable. Wanted an adjustable stock to try different LOP.

I shot 00 because that is all the range would let me shoot. Wanted to start with birdshot to get used to the bangstick first. Is 000 more or less in power? Absolutely new at this.

I did shoot out to 25 ft on second or third target. Got to build up to longer distances you know.
 
Enjoy! I have the same stock/pistol grip and gun 20ga and love it! have it set up with a red dot with no zoom because I'm quickly able to acquire my target being able to keep both eyes open.
 
Almost no one suggest 000, most say go with 00. I'd rather have bigger, fewer pellots. I believe 00 is around .32 and 000 is .36 if I remember correctly. 000 is exactly more powerful, depends on how it's loaded, but it's bigger shot. So, I use it. I think the majority of people would use it, if they knew it was available for 12 gauges. Heck, you can even get 3 inch 000 for .410 these days.
 
Congrats! good looking shotty. Every gun owner should have a nice 12gauge IMO. Try shooting some 7 1/2 shot from walmart. can get a 100 for like ~$22. Good cheap shotgun fun!
 
Welcome. If you are practicing for HD 15 feet sounds about right to me but I am nobody to advise anyone on HD tactics.
 
Practicing at one known distance will make you accurate at that distance...

Using the gun to build piles of hulls to your knees on a variety of targets at varying distances will make you and your gun a "system"... a system with much greater success and reduced chance of failure...

Impromptu clay sessions with a buddy or 3 and a few cases of shells and clays is always a fun way to find and correct faults...

Brent
 
Congrats on your new,fine looking shotgun.

Take measurements in your house of the longest possible shot. Shoot from that distance and at closer increments to see how your setup(ammo/choke) patterns. If you're patterning at your longest distance the same as you are in the pics. you provided, I'd say you're good to go with what you're shooting.

Proper fit will mount your shotgun naturally and is critical regardless of sights on shotgun. As you know, many sights are useless in the dark.

Practice alot and have fun.
 
Thanks for all the comments everyone. I do appreciate the advice and plan on doing a number of the things suggested such as clays, shooting different distances and when I feel comfy, removing the sights.

MikeGunz - not quite sure what you mean by 7 1/2 shot?
 
Rabbit, No. 7-1/2 shot is the largest size shot that most clay ranges will permit to be used. Target shot commonly comes in sizes 7-1/2, 8 & 9. A piece of 7-1/2 bird shot is much smaller than buck shot and a typical target shotshell has a hell of a lot less kick. I understand that even LEO's train with both target shot and buckshot not just to save wear and tear on the shoulder but it costs about 1/4 the price of buck.
 
Shot is the word used to describe the multiple projectiles that shotgun shells are loaded with.

On a box of shotgun shells, you'll see the length of shell, Drams. of powder and shot size. The smaller the number on the shot size, the bigger the shot. I.E. #5 SHOT is bigger then #6 SHOT....#6 SHOT is bigger then #7 SHOT.... #7 SHOT bigger then 7 1/2, etc.

The above size shot is usually referred to as birdshot, is lead or copper coated and are used for small game/bird hunting as well as shooting sporting clays, skeet, trap etc. They are also good to get used to your shotgun with but will pattern differently then your HD loads of heavier buckshot.

It's a heavily debated subject but for HD most usually use the more common 000, 00,#3 or #4 lead buckshot. With 00 or #3 probably being the most popular.

The reason these four loads are most used for HD is, as a rule, the heavier the shot the better the penetration.

Hope this helps.
 
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