rantingredneck
New member
I took some time during my range trip today to pattern test my new-old 870 Police. Got this gun from Budsgunshop.com a few weeks back. It was a KY State Police trade in. Specs are 20" RS fixed IC barrel. 3" chamber with speedfeed I stocks. I added a +2 extension I had on hand and then ran across a decent deal on a +3 extension and swapped it out. Before today I had not had a chance to shoot this gun so I wanted to do some function and pattern testing so it can take it's place in the HD lineup.
So today at the range I ran about 200 rounds of birdshot through it just popping cans on the 25 yd berm. Mostly just making sure it ran right. Not a hitch. No sticky extractions like are sometimes experienced with newer express guns. Then I did some slug plinking at 50 yds. The sights were a little high and right and I didn't really take time to adjust them. Will do that on a subsequent trip as I didn't have a whole lot of time to dedicate to it today.
Then I went back to the 25 yd berm to do some pattern testing with my typical 00 buck loads. This is where I realized that I had not brought any of one particular load (Federal F12700) that I meant to test today. I did have some Federal LE12700 (my typical HD load) and Remington Express 2 3/4" 9 pellet. So I decided to make do with just the two.
I set up targets on the moveable target stands at 12 yds. This is 2 yards or so farther than the longest shot I could possibly take within my home. I also set up a larger target (deer vitals) at 25 yds to see what each load does at this range from this gun. I already know what they do from my other 870's and my 11-87.
So to the results......
12 yd target Remington Express 9 pellet standard 2 3/4" load:
Not bad. At 12 yds this is a very effective 00 buckshot pattern. This load is also readily available at Walmart.
12 yd target Federal LE12700 9 pellet full power with flite control wad
Almost looks like a slug hit don't it?
25 yd target Remington Express 9 pellet standard 2 3/4" load:
This is not a pattern I'd be happy with for hunting from this gun at this range. For defensive purposes the pattern is also just too wide.
25 yd target Federal LE12700 9 pellet full power with flite control wad
I would be happy with this pattern for deer hunting at this range. I'd also trust this load better as a stopper of violence from this range as the damage would still be confined to the torso.
So, the new/old 870 is broken in and patterned and will now take it's place in the HD lineup. It will still require regular excercise though
.
So today at the range I ran about 200 rounds of birdshot through it just popping cans on the 25 yd berm. Mostly just making sure it ran right. Not a hitch. No sticky extractions like are sometimes experienced with newer express guns. Then I did some slug plinking at 50 yds. The sights were a little high and right and I didn't really take time to adjust them. Will do that on a subsequent trip as I didn't have a whole lot of time to dedicate to it today.
Then I went back to the 25 yd berm to do some pattern testing with my typical 00 buck loads. This is where I realized that I had not brought any of one particular load (Federal F12700) that I meant to test today. I did have some Federal LE12700 (my typical HD load) and Remington Express 2 3/4" 9 pellet. So I decided to make do with just the two.
I set up targets on the moveable target stands at 12 yds. This is 2 yards or so farther than the longest shot I could possibly take within my home. I also set up a larger target (deer vitals) at 25 yds to see what each load does at this range from this gun. I already know what they do from my other 870's and my 11-87.
So to the results......
12 yd target Remington Express 9 pellet standard 2 3/4" load:
Not bad. At 12 yds this is a very effective 00 buckshot pattern. This load is also readily available at Walmart.
12 yd target Federal LE12700 9 pellet full power with flite control wad
Almost looks like a slug hit don't it?
25 yd target Remington Express 9 pellet standard 2 3/4" load:
This is not a pattern I'd be happy with for hunting from this gun at this range. For defensive purposes the pattern is also just too wide.
25 yd target Federal LE12700 9 pellet full power with flite control wad
I would be happy with this pattern for deer hunting at this range. I'd also trust this load better as a stopper of violence from this range as the damage would still be confined to the torso.
So, the new/old 870 is broken in and patterned and will now take it's place in the HD lineup. It will still require regular excercise though
.
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