AaronS Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Specifically, 870 vs. 11-87 I'm kicking around the idea of buying a new slug gun for the 2006 season and these are my top 2 choices. I have an older 870 Wingmaster and it has been a great gun for me. It has taken quite a few deer for me with an improved cylinder barrel and foster style slugs. About 10 years ago I bought a Knight inline and put the shotgun away, mainly due to the accuracy of the muzzleloader. Today, it seems that some of the slug and barrel combinations have become more accurate with greater range than some of the muzzleloaders. (My Knight is a non-magnum, limited to 100 grain loads.) Remington has added a new slug gun to their line-up, an 870 with a thumb hole stock. This gun currently sits on top of my list of potentials. The reason I'm considering a semi-auto is because of recoil. I have no experience with semi-autos, but have been told that the recoil is less with a semi-auto because the action cycle absorbs some of it. Is this true? If it is, it makes my decision tougher. The decision then comes down to accuracy. Can anyone tell me if there is any difference in accuracy between a pump action and semi-auto action? Either option would be with the cantilever scope mount rifled barrel, topped with scope, firing sabot slugs. Sorry for the long-winded post, but thanks for any replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? I don't know about accuracy, but after putting two boxes of game load through my Nova pump, shooting my father-in-laws 1187 feels like shooting a bb gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? I can't speak for the 11-87, but I can tell you one year when I sighted in my slug barrel on the 870, I put 3 shots off the bench, basically in the same hole from 75 yards. It looked like a clover. I did that with Winchester 3" mag sabots. That was good enough for me. Only wish I would have started sighting in with that round, as the sluggers and lightfields put a hurtin' on my shoulder. Maybe I got lucky, but IMHO, Remington makes a great rifled barrel. Maybe just get a rifled barrel and try it on your 870? And yes, you will notice less recoil in the gas operated 11-87 as the excess gas is used to cycle the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted November 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? Thanks guys. I've thought about a slug barrel for my Wingmaster, but I'd like a slug specific gun for a few reasons. First is that my 870 is an older gun that only accepts 2 3/4" shells. Second is that I just have the itch for a new gun. Third is that the Wingmaster is all gloss. It has its share of scratches, but it is glossy none-the-less. I've read where Remington is offering the 870 with the thumb hole stock, but I haven't read that about the 11-87 so I have to assume that the 11-87 will not be available in that set up. If not, I'll check out what the aftermarket has to offer, and if they have such a stock for an 11-87 I'll have to add up all the dollar signs. Since accuracy seems to be a draw between the two, the 11-87 has the advantage in felt recoil, and the 870 has the advantage in price.....we'll just have to see how much of a difference in price there is when we compare apples to apples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2500HD Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? If you are thinking about a slug specific gun you should look at the H&R Ultra Slug gun. Seriously has to be one of the most accurate slug guns out there and especially for the price. I run Lightfield 2-3/4" Hybrids through mine and at 120 yards you can cover a 3 shot group with a silver dollar. Just a FYI! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted November 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? I appreciate the info. I know the H&R and the Savage may be more accurate than the pumps and semi-autos, but part of the appeal for me is having a quick second shot available when needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6sixpoint_nobrows Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? i would go with the 870, i havent ever heard anything bad about the 11-97, but one day we were all shooting guns and my dads buddy said try my new 870 slug gun out, i shot it one time at 75 yards and hit bulls eye...shot again, same thing..then to make sure i wasnt getting lucky i shot another time and hit in the same whole as before...they are great guns...good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest deldeer Posted November 28, 2005 Report Share Posted November 28, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? [ QUOTE ] I appreciate the info. I know the H&R and the Savage may be more accurate than the pumps and semi-autos, but part of the appeal for me is having a quick second shot available when needed. [/ QUOTE ].....you don't need a second shot with the h&r.....just kidding...i did take 2 deer sat. with my h&r...& i have done it several times in the past...you can load it very fast once you practice....but it sounds like you have your heart set on the 870 or 1187..i would opt for the 870 myself, i have several & they are very reliable & easy to maintain (which you know by now)..if you are worried about the kick, give up the 3"slugs, in my opinion you gain absolutly nothing with them...except a sore shoulder....good luck.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 29, 2005 Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? Basically, there is no real difference in accuracy potential between the 870 and the 11-87. There is a reduction in recoil with the gas system of the 11-87 so that is a plus for it. I have a few Rem 870 guns and an 11-87. My semi is set up for 3.5" shooting, be it buckshot, steel, lead, or hevi shot. That's all I use it for now. I agree with 2500HD, I wopuld definately take the single shot or bolt gun over the pump or semi for a slug gun. Its all about accuracy. How often do you need an immediate second shot on another deer? Make the first shot count. Odds are when you missed with the first shot, you will also miss with the #2 and #3 shot. You won't see the thumbhole buttstock for a 11-87 as there is no place for the action spring to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted November 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? [ QUOTE ] You won't see the thumbhole buttstock for a 11-87 as there is no place for the action spring to go. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks for that info. You've just saved me a lot of time searching for something that I wouldn't be able to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2500HD Posted November 29, 2005 Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? I have NEVER need a second shot with my H&R but if you like the fact you can hold that 2nd, 3rd shot in the magazine I would choose the thumb hole 870 with the rifled barrel, top it with a quality scope and sit down with about 10 of the top 2-3/4" slugs available and see what shoots the best out of that gun. You should have a real nice set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted November 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? I think that's what I'll do. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKYhunter Posted November 29, 2005 Report Share Posted November 29, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? Hey INBowhunter Remington has the thumb hole 11-87 on their web-site under the new products for 2006 section. It's all camo in MO New Break Up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 30, 2005 Report Share Posted November 30, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? [ QUOTE ] Thanks for that info. You've just saved me a lot of time searching for something that I wouldn't be able to find. [/ QUOTE ] Sorry, I lied to you. Remington does have a thumbhole stocked 11-87 for 2006. It is on page 5 of their 2006 Spring Catalog. It is a little different compared to the 870 stock though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil hunter Posted November 30, 2005 Report Share Posted November 30, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? I see the 870's and 11-87's with the thumbhole, but all of those are turkey guns. Do they have one with a rifled barrel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 30, 2005 Report Share Posted November 30, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? Maybe not the entire setup as a deer gun, but the stock is (will be) available to make any 11-87 a thumbhold gun. The thumbhole is not as large as other guns since the action spring has to go over the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fourtrax_300 Posted December 5, 2005 Report Share Posted December 5, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? i'd go with the 870 because of price. as far as recoil goes you wont even notice it when shooting at deer. you will notice it when sighting the gun in. but if it is a deer only gun then that wotn be very offten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double_drop Posted December 5, 2005 Report Share Posted December 5, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? I used to shoot a 870 20 ga. pump with no problems at all with slugs. Just used my bird barrel. Four years ago I finally tried my 11087 with a bird barrel for shooting slugs out of. It worked super. inch high at 100 yards. Have been using it since and have never gone back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gfourhunter Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? i just bought the 870 with thumbhole stock and love it. all you nead to do is put a imp, choke tube in for slugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 Re: Slug accuracy: pump vs. semi-auto? MY son has an 870 which drives tacks at 100 yards using Winchester Partition Gold 3" sabots. I don't care for the recoil but it is more comfortable with 2 3/4 loads. Super accurate with the Remington rifled barrel. It also shot very well with the bird barrel with the rifled choke tube in it. The rifled barrel has the cantilever scope mount and is shorter, making the gun nicer to carry. My preference is my Remington 1100 with the Remington rifled barrel. This is also a cantilever barrel with a 2.5-5 scope mounted on it. Shoots GOOD, carrys well and doesn't rip my shoulder apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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