FYI- magnum = at most 15 yards, not 25
not trying to be a jerk or anything, just to let you know

aloha

steve

ps- cool shotty

I got to get out and shoot the 870 today.
Its shoots great.  The magpul furniture really lends itself to the push/pull method, and its nice on your cheek.  I pattered it with federal tactical 00. It made double fisted patterns at 25 yds.  Lawman target loads... not so much.... huge patterns at 7 yards.  I highly recommend all the mods.  Everything works really well for the intended purpose.

It's all good.  Is it really only 15 yards?  I stand corrected.

FYI- magnum = at most 15 yards, not 25
not trying to be a jerk or anything, just to let you know

aloha

steve

ps- cool shotty

It's all good.  Is it really only 15 yards?  I stand corrected.

The practical effective range of a open choke/cyl bore barrel, using 2-3/4" 00 buck IS within 25 yards...35-40 yards using magnums. The difference between 18" or 20" barrel length is negligible. Different brands of ammo will produce varying patterns, but you should be able to get a 30" pattern (or less) at 25 even with the cheap stuff.

I've consistently shot 8-10" patterns with Hornady TAP 00 Buck and 12-18" patterns with Federal LE 00 Buck (low recoil) at 25 yds.  Using bargain Estate 00, it goes to 24-36". All of which are considered "effective" at 25 yds.

This is why it's prudent to try out different brands of ammo with your particular firearm.

Different guns like different ammo and will shoot very different groups with different brands.

On a side note, my 870 shoots fist sized groups at 15 yards with Remington LE '00

This is why it's prudent to try out different brands of ammo with your particular firearm.

Different guns like different ammo and will shoot very different groups with different brands.

On a side note, my 870 shoots fist sized groups at 15 yards with Remington LE '00

So true...All of my 870's & 590's do better w/ Federal (LE127), but my Benelli's prefer Remington.