You'd be hard pressed to find just a used Rem. 870 rifled barrel for under $250. Very nice set up. Sabot can be tricky to chrono. You want to place the chrono close enough where the sabot and slug haven't separated and you don't get two objects going over the sensors, but not so close that the muzzle blast gives you errors.
Never had no luck with them slugs great buy on the 870 mine loves remington acu tips. If I remember right Hornaday even put out a thing about the slugs the preform best out of the h&r ultra slug gun and the savage 212
@@josephjenkins8305what part of Ohio are you in? I just picked up a wingmaster with the cantilever barrel, and was trying to decide what to shoot out of it. I've shot mostly rifled slugs in the past, but i was told they will foul rifling in a barrel.
Got me a regular 870 12 gauge when Remington was in the middle of its bankruptcy for $175... Same reaction as you. Couldn't get my wallet out fast enough 😆
Yeah, I was not looking to buy a gun that day at all, but that was just a deal I could not simply walk past. I mean, the rifled barrel alone is worth more than what I paid for the whole thing haha!
I run SST's through an H&R Ultra Slugger. Has a heavy barrel. Shoots amazing groups. I do believe as some have pointed out performance will vary depending on your setup. I believe the thin sided barrels flex too much for the SST velocities. Stick with a heavy barrel and the groups will tighten up. just my opinion.
Just got my new 870 Fieldmaster super mag. Saw good reviews and wanted to buy a new 870 that was well made like the older ones.. Action was very smooth out of the box and the gun is beautifully made. Nice furniture and glass bead finish. Haven't been to the range with it yet, but the gun cycled snap-caps flawlessly and I see no reason while it won't perform with real ammo.
You did great on this purchase and I have lots of experience including on my RUclips channel with looking for bargain slug guns! I suspect that the sabot or the wads messed with your chronograph results. With two shots in the same hole, I'll settle for in a deer gun anytime! I consistently get that with my SAVAGE 220 using Remington Accu Tips in 20 GA. My JC Higgins model 20 delivers 2" groups at 50 yards using any of my custom loads or factory slugs! Nice Video!
My first thought is that the scope is off in some way, either not properly secured in the mounts or else some recoil related reticle problem. Then perhaps since the barrel is fully rifled you may need some 12 ga slugs which are compatible with the rifling not slugs used for the smooth bore cylinder choke type barrels. I actually have a 870 Special Purpose made in 1990 with the original 18.5 inch barrel with rifle sights but a smooth bore and it shoots accurately and reliably.
I don't think either of those things were issues in this test. The scope gave me zero issues firing a bunch of other rounds after this test, so that most likely wasn't a problem. As for the slugs, the SSTs are a sabot slug, so they are designed to be shot with a rifled barrel. If you try and shoot them through a smooth bore, they will yaw or tumble in flight since that had nothing to stabilize them. This was just a case of an underwhelming shell
I use the same ammo. My shot groups also got larger. but I shot a 3 shot group then ran a wire brush threw the barrel followed by oil patches till clean patches and that fixed the problem
From what I can remember, this was a clean bore, so fowling shouldn't have made any difference on this one. Based on what others have said, I think this is probably just pretty realistic performance
Does the gun have a "Monte Carlo" style stock? I have the same gun bought new around 2005. Remington model # 24946. 870 Super Slug Deer. "Special Purpose" on the right side. 23" barrel. Your barrel looks longer than 18.5". Close the bolt and use an old time folding carpenter's ruler inserted in the muzzle to get the actual barrel length.
It has a slight raise in the comb, but nothing that would actually make a difference. Mine is from the early 90s and, from what I understand, is a retired special unit police gun. I've measured it a number of times just to be certain and it is truly an 18.5" barrel
From what I remember, they all felt the same. There is also the chance that the chrono was trying to read the sabot instead of the slug, which would give inconsistent numbers as well
@@matttyreeoutdoors hmm. I did a few of my 20g Remington accutips and they read fine. I use the light bars on my chrono to make sure I get the most consistent reads. Either way, thanks for the video. SSTs aren’t so accurate in my 220
I've hunted deer with one of these since 1986,, Very accurate & deadly...longest kill was about 85 yards. using a 2.5X scope. Copper solids from Remington were the most accurate and consistent load, but they've been discontinued.. Try the Federal sabot loads for better results
Im so happy to find a fully rifled barrel for my discontinued browning gold 12g, slap a bushnell banner 2 on it and bore sight it, gonna plan to hit the range soon with it
That's a steal on the gun. I've wondered what my 20in barrel was getting with hornadys Test barrels are usually 30in. There's plenty of horsepower to give up a little speed for manuverability. There's so many variables the chrono is concerning. With mine, it wasn't until I used my scope on a crossbow that I found it wouldn't hold zero.
Yeah, most likely. As I've tested more sabot slugs, it has proven to be a little tricky at times for the chronograph to actually read the projectile speed. If you set it up too close to the muzzle, the blast will cause an error. But if it's too far, you risk the sabot smacking into the front of it after it separates and damaging it
I could never get consistent groups with those Hornady loads out of my SBE2 with a rifled barrel. The Remington green tips seemed to group best. Cost me a lot of $ and time at the range before I came to that conclusion. Then my state allowed straight walled rifle cartridges. Bought a Ruger 450 Bushmaster. Superior groups to any rifled slug. Sold my slug barrel and never looked back.
In the last year I’ve talked to few hunters and read some forums. My understanding is that the SST velocity is too high for the 1:34 twist. Ironically they are always in stock when I’m looking at ammo.
I currently have a Leopold VX-1 2-7x28 on it and it works quite nicely. It's technically a rimfire scope, but all Leopold scopes are built with the same parts internally, so it's plenty strong enough for the recoil. Its size fits the gun well and the closer range parallax setting works just fine for 100 yards. Is it the most ideal scope ever designed for a shotgun, no, but it works perfectly for what I need
I would call Hornady on that box and give him the number on the box p the lot number that's kind of dangerous I picked one up for $199 and I thought I was stealing it good job 💯👍👍👍
I'm not too worried about it. It seems like a common thing with these shells that a lot of people deal with. If the gun doesn't like them, I won't bother buying them
A few things affect the velocity Difference in amount if powder drop in each cartridge How compact tbe powder charge, is. And seating of the wad and slug.
Yeah, all of that is true. Normally if we see velocities all over the place, it's probably the chronograph reading the sabot. In this case, just looking at how they grouped, I'd say that they were actually loaded inconsistently
When I sighted in my slug gun, I tested those sabots and yes, they were all over the target paper. I got frustrated with them. I always suspected that high velocity was the very reason for those wandering shots. So I switched to heavier grain 375,385 Winchester. I did much better and settled in . Unfortunately the Winchester 3” dual bond that I was using can’t find it anymore so after I finish my stock, I don’t know what I am going to do next
They shoot very accurate and consistent from the 24 in mossberg barrels. My dad shoots the shorter 870 rifled barrel and was definitely all over the place.
@@jasonsnyder7728I set up a Mossberg 535 with optics. 28in smooth barrel. It's not a rifle but I'm happy with the performance. Sighted it in with Winchester 1oz X slugs. If I can find 3 in slugs I'll see how they work.
$175.?!?!?! In Canada, we can’t get the cantilever barrel for less than $300. alone- if we can even find them! You’re killing me…I wanna live in the States.
It's pretty much the same down here, that's why I just had to pick it up! For $175, I couldn't lose. Like you said, the barrel alone is worth about double what I paid for the whole thing
This barrel is a 1 in 34 twist, which is pretty slow. The way that twist rates read are 1 twist for every 34 inches of barrel, so the lower the second number, the faster the twist. Either way, I don't think it would have mattered with these shells. We've fired heavier slugs through it with better results before, so stability isn't the issue
Is shot sst Through my savage 220 Not so great. Shot my 870 with 28 in barrel, all over the place. Federal premium trophy copper, Remington accute tip. Both 3in groups at 100yds.😮
@jamesoliva9531 from what little bit I know about police and what guns they have, different special units carry different guns than the typical officer would. Special units like a Swat team used to carry shotguns with rifled barrels for anti-material purposes. They had special sabot slugs designed to shoot through doors, walls, cars, and so on. I have even heard of animal control units having them to dispatch large animals at little bit longer distances. I don't know if this is all still true today, but back in the early 90s when this gun was made, it was definitely the case
@@matttyreeoutdoorsI'd be interested in a comparison. Take a 28in. smooth bore modified choke, maybe rifled choke as well. Compare that to your shorter rifled barrel with sabot. Chronograph, maybe out 50 and 100yd. I'd even be interested in helping with some of the cost. My thought is one way is usually cheaper with good results. The other way is usually more money with not a lot of gain.
@mjc4942 I have several different rifled chokes that I plan on testing soon, both to compare them to each other and to what a smooth bore and a rifled barrel can do. So we'll see what results we can get
The hornady sucks. You are lucky to get a half decent group. I found the sabots sleeves totally destroyed. I was assuming this was the reason. Used to be my favorite go to slug.
They are definitely far from the best performers that I've tested from this setup. Close ranges they would probably be ok, but they definitely seem to fall off at longer ranges pretty quick
You'd be hard pressed to find just a used Rem. 870 rifled barrel for under $250. Very nice set up. Sabot can be tricky to chrono. You want to place the chrono close enough where the sabot and slug haven't separated and you don't get two objects going over the sensors, but not so close that the muzzle blast gives you errors.
Thanks!
Never had no luck with them slugs great buy on the 870 mine loves remington acu tips. If I remember right Hornaday even put out a thing about the slugs the preform best out of the h&r ultra slug gun and the savage 212
@josephjenkins8305 I'm keeping an eye out for some of the acu tips, but in the meantime, I've got several other slugs we can test
@matttyree8724 if you lived in Ohio I'd send ya a couple boxes lol I got two cases
@@josephjenkins8305what part of Ohio are you in? I just picked up a wingmaster with the cantilever barrel, and was trying to decide what to shoot out of it.
I've shot mostly rifled slugs in the past, but i was told they will foul rifling in a barrel.
Got me a regular 870 12 gauge when Remington was in the middle of its bankruptcy for $175... Same reaction as you. Couldn't get my wallet out fast enough 😆
Yeah, I was not looking to buy a gun that day at all, but that was just a deal I could not simply walk past. I mean, the rifled barrel alone is worth more than what I paid for the whole thing haha!
I run SST's through an H&R Ultra Slugger. Has a heavy barrel. Shoots amazing groups. I do believe as some have pointed out performance will vary depending on your setup. I believe the thin sided barrels flex too much for the SST velocities. Stick with a heavy barrel and the groups will tighten up. just my opinion.
That's definitely a possibility. I also think the slower twist rate on the Remington barrels may have something to do with it as well
Thats a good point. Not certain the twist on my H&R@@matttyreeoutdoors
Just got my new 870 Fieldmaster super mag. Saw good reviews and wanted to buy a new 870 that was well made like the older ones.. Action was very smooth out of the box and the gun is beautifully made. Nice furniture and glass bead finish. Haven't been to the range with it yet, but the gun cycled snap-caps flawlessly and I see no reason while it won't perform with real ammo.
Definitely sounds like a nice setup, and I bet it shoots pretty good too
You did great on this purchase and I have lots of experience including on my RUclips channel with looking for bargain slug guns! I suspect that the sabot or the wads messed with your chronograph results. With two shots in the same hole, I'll settle for in a deer gun anytime! I consistently get that with my SAVAGE 220 using Remington Accu Tips in 20 GA. My JC Higgins model 20 delivers 2" groups at 50 yards using any of my custom loads or factory slugs! Nice Video!
Yeah, I definitely couldn't pass it up
My first thought is that the scope is off in some way, either not properly secured in the mounts or else some recoil related reticle problem.
Then perhaps since the barrel is fully rifled you may need some 12 ga slugs which are compatible with the rifling not slugs used for the
smooth bore cylinder choke type barrels. I actually have a 870 Special Purpose made in 1990 with the original 18.5 inch barrel with rifle
sights but a smooth bore and it shoots accurately and reliably.
I don't think either of those things were issues in this test. The scope gave me zero issues firing a bunch of other rounds after this test, so that most likely wasn't a problem. As for the slugs, the SSTs are a sabot slug, so they are designed to be shot with a rifled barrel. If you try and shoot them through a smooth bore, they will yaw or tumble in flight since that had nothing to stabilize them. This was just a case of an underwhelming shell
I use the same ammo. My shot groups also got larger. but I shot a 3 shot group then ran a wire brush threw the barrel followed by oil patches till clean patches and that fixed the problem
From what I can remember, this was a clean bore, so fowling shouldn't have made any difference on this one. Based on what others have said, I think this is probably just pretty realistic performance
Does the gun have a "Monte Carlo" style stock? I have the same gun bought new around 2005. Remington model # 24946. 870 Super Slug Deer. "Special Purpose" on the right side. 23" barrel. Your barrel looks longer than 18.5". Close the bolt and use an old time folding carpenter's ruler inserted in the muzzle to get the actual barrel length.
It has a slight raise in the comb, but nothing that would actually make a difference. Mine is from the early 90s and, from what I understand, is a retired special unit police gun. I've measured it a number of times just to be certain and it is truly an 18.5" barrel
With velocities having that much variation, you’d notice with recoil and sound. Did you notice and difference in recoil and sound?
From what I remember, they all felt the same. There is also the chance that the chrono was trying to read the sabot instead of the slug, which would give inconsistent numbers as well
@@matttyreeoutdoors hmm. I did a few of my 20g Remington accutips and they read fine. I use the light bars on my chrono to make sure I get the most consistent reads. Either way, thanks for the video. SSTs aren’t so accurate in my 220
Can you test the custom lite reduced recoil Hornady’s? I’ve heard for some people they shoot better than the full power loads.
I've never tried them personally, but if I find some, I'm definitely picking them up to test
I've hunted deer with one of these since 1986,, Very accurate & deadly...longest kill was about 85 yards. using a 2.5X scope.
Copper solids from Remington were the most accurate and consistent load, but they've been discontinued.. Try the Federal sabot loads for better results
The copper solids definitely were great performers, they did great from a mossberg 500 I used years ago. I wish they still made them
Im so happy to find a fully rifled barrel for my discontinued browning gold 12g, slap a bushnell banner 2 on it and bore sight it, gonna plan to hit the range soon with it
That's definitely gonna be a pretty nice setup
I haven't had better-than-average results with Hornady SST's in 3 different guns. I use a lead sled and bench for testing, but not a chronograph.
That's kinda been what I've heard about them too. They are ok, but nothing great for most people
That's a steal on the gun. I've wondered what my 20in barrel was getting with hornadys
Test barrels are usually 30in. There's plenty of horsepower to give up a little speed for manuverability. There's so many variables the chrono is concerning. With mine, it wasn't until I used my scope on a crossbow that I found it wouldn't hold zero.
Yeah, they were just inconsistent all around, which seems like a pretty common thing for these slugs unfortunately
@@matttyreeoutdoorsWonder what Hornady might say about it. Maybe get a free box of shells to try again
@@danr5704 I don't know, maybe I'll contact them and ask about it at some point
Nice price! I wonder if the chronograph was seeing the sabot instead of the projectile..
Yeah, most likely. As I've tested more sabot slugs, it has proven to be a little tricky at times for the chronograph to actually read the projectile speed. If you set it up too close to the muzzle, the blast will cause an error. But if it's too far, you risk the sabot smacking into the front of it after it separates and damaging it
I could never get consistent groups with those Hornady loads out of my SBE2 with a rifled barrel. The Remington green tips seemed to group best. Cost me a lot of $ and time at the range before I came to that conclusion. Then my state allowed straight walled rifle cartridges. Bought a Ruger 450 Bushmaster. Superior groups to any rifled slug. Sold my slug barrel and never looked back.
It seems like a number of people haven't been able to get any kind of consistent results from them either
In the last year I’ve talked to few hunters and read some forums. My understanding is that the SST velocity is too high for the 1:34 twist. Ironically they are always in stock when I’m looking at ammo.
Yeah, I've heard a few people say that they haven't been able to get good results from them either
Any thoughts on what scope you would get to replace that one? Looking for a new scope for mine.
I currently have a Leopold VX-1 2-7x28 on it and it works quite nicely. It's technically a rimfire scope, but all Leopold scopes are built with the same parts internally, so it's plenty strong enough for the recoil. Its size fits the gun well and the closer range parallax setting works just fine for 100 yards. Is it the most ideal scope ever designed for a shotgun, no, but it works perfectly for what I need
I would call Hornady on that box and give him the number on the box p the lot number that's kind of dangerous I picked one up for $199 and I thought I was stealing it good job 💯👍👍👍
I'm not too worried about it. It seems like a common thing with these shells that a lot of people deal with. If the gun doesn't like them, I won't bother buying them
A few things affect the velocity
Difference in amount if powder drop in each cartridge
How compact tbe powder charge, is. And seating of the wad and slug.
Yeah, all of that is true. Normally if we see velocities all over the place, it's probably the chronograph reading the sabot. In this case, just looking at how they grouped, I'd say that they were actually loaded inconsistently
When I sighted in my slug gun, I tested those sabots and yes, they were all over the target paper. I got frustrated with them. I always suspected that high velocity was the very reason for those wandering shots. So I switched to heavier grain 375,385 Winchester. I did much better and settled in . Unfortunately the Winchester 3” dual bond that I was using can’t find it anymore so after I finish my stock, I don’t know what I am going to do next
Yeah, they were a little disappointing. I've got several other sabot rounds to test out, so we'll see what it likes
They shoot very accurate and consistent from the 24 in mossberg barrels. My dad shoots the shorter 870 rifled barrel and was definitely all over the place.
@@jasonsnyder7728I set up a Mossberg 535 with optics. 28in smooth barrel. It's not a rifle but I'm happy with the performance. Sighted it in with Winchester 1oz X slugs. If I can find 3 in slugs I'll see how they work.
@@jasonsnyder7728i was using same kind of shotgun. 535 ATS with cantilever barrel.
$175.?!?!?!
In Canada, we can’t get the cantilever barrel for less than $300. alone- if we can even find them!
You’re killing me…I wanna live in the States.
It's pretty much the same down here, that's why I just had to pick it up! For $175, I couldn't lose. Like you said, the barrel alone is worth about double what I paid for the whole thing
Mine is last year American black walnut, handcut checking.$695+
I definitely couldn't pass up the deal
One problem with that ammo and that gun it's Remington uses a slow twist barrel 1 in 16 you need a 1 in 24 or 28. A fast twist for the best results
This barrel is a 1 in 34 twist, which is pretty slow. The way that twist rates read are 1 twist for every 34 inches of barrel, so the lower the second number, the faster the twist. Either way, I don't think it would have mattered with these shells. We've fired heavier slugs through it with better results before, so stability isn't the issue
😮Great buy!
Definitely couldn't pass it up!
i just pd 628.00 wth tax for 870 fieldmaster wth rifled barrel and hard sights walnut stock😊
That is definitely a nice setup
Is shot sst Through my savage 220 Not so great. Shot my 870 with 28 in barrel, all over the place. Federal premium trophy copper, Remington accute tip. Both 3in groups at 100yds.😮
I was definitely hoping for better
That's a common problem with the Hornady slugs most guns do worse than what you just got
I've heard quite a few people say something similar
Rifled barrel for on a police shotgun? If it is it is a first. Any PD shotgun I have ever seen is smooth bore.
I have seen 1 or 2 others that I know were 100% police guns have rifled barrels, but you definitely don't see them very often
do you know why they would even have them rifled??? @@matttyreeoutdoors
@jamesoliva9531 from what little bit I know about police and what guns they have, different special units carry different guns than the typical officer would. Special units like a Swat team used to carry shotguns with rifled barrels for anti-material purposes. They had special sabot slugs designed to shoot through doors, walls, cars, and so on. I have even heard of animal control units having them to dispatch large animals at little bit longer distances. I don't know if this is all still true today, but back in the early 90s when this gun was made, it was definitely the case
Please tell me that you did not use meat smoking paper to shoot at... That paper is for briskets and ribs only!
Haha, no, its just red rosin paper from the hardware store. I use it because it's cheap. Surprisingly cheaper than just plain craft paper as well
Yeah that's a good deal.
I definitely couldn't pass it up
@@matttyreeoutdoorsI'd be interested in a comparison. Take a 28in. smooth bore modified choke, maybe rifled choke as well. Compare that to your shorter rifled barrel with sabot. Chronograph, maybe out 50 and 100yd. I'd even be interested in helping with some of the cost.
My thought is one way is usually cheaper with good results. The other way is usually more money with not a lot of gain.
@mjc4942 I have several different rifled chokes that I plan on testing soon, both to compare them to each other and to what a smooth bore and a rifled barrel can do. So we'll see what results we can get
I've learned newly getting into guns can be dangerous to my wallet
Yep, that can definitely be true haha
I think they did prity good.
They weren't absolutely terrible, but we have definitely seen way better
The hornady sucks. You are lucky to get a half decent group. I found the sabots sleeves totally destroyed. I was assuming this was the reason.
Used to be my favorite go to slug.
They are definitely far from the best performers that I've tested from this setup. Close ranges they would probably be ok, but they definitely seem to fall off at longer ranges pretty quick
I never see good used prices in my area 😡
I rarely see decent prices either, which is why I couldn't pass this one up
THATS WHY YOU RELOAD YUOR OWN ROUNDS
And that's a nasty gun
Thanks
Most Hornady ammo is starting to be junk
It seems kinda hit or miss. Some of their ammo is pretty good, but others are just disappointing
I have had hornady fail me in the field will never use it for anything don’t trust it now
I have not ever used hornady slugs out in the field, so I can't speak for them, but the hornady rifle rounds I've used have always gotten the job done