Shooting My New 870

[ksmash01]

So I went out to break my new 870 in with another 100 rounds of birdshot(that's all the indoor range I went to would let you shoot) through my new shotgun. I already put 100 flawless rounds through it using remington ammo(game loads). I took a mix bag of remington sureshot(25), remington gameloads(25), and winchester gameloads(50). It shot the remington ammo fine, but when I got to the winchesters I started having some problems trying to eject the spent shells. It got stuck for a brief moment, before I could force them out. It only happened a few times, and mostly close to the end of the session. I wonder if it's just dirty.....it's soooo fun to shoot and I hope there isn't a problem with it.

[hogdogs]

As my sig suggests I am a mossberg man. But I read of your issue with ejecting shells often... Fully cleaning the gun including a good solvent wash of the chamber and barrel often helps if not enuff a LIGHT polishing of the chamber should. It seems to be a rough chamber to which the brass expands into scratches when fired... The rem guys will chime in and correct any inaccuracy in this post...
Brent

[rantingredneck]

Brent is correct, however the winchester value pack loads are notorious for this even in guns that have been properly cleaned, broken in, and chamber polished.

1) Make sure you've cleaned all the gooey preserviative goop out of it.
2) Take a bore brush and wrap it lightly in very fine (0000) steel wool and chuck it in a drill and have a go at the chamber. This should take care of any rough spots.
3) Don't buy any more Winchester value pack loads.

[oneounceload]

Besides the cleaning, remember, Winchester wally world packs are steel rimmed hulls. If you're working quickly and getting the gun hot, those steel heads won't contract back as quickly as brass. After a good polishing and lube, you should still be fine; but I would stay away from those shells

JMO, YMMV

[rem870hunter]

winchester super x game loads,or the 100 shell boxes you can get aka promo loads?

the win super x in low brass #7.5 1 oz 1290 fps and high brass #7.5 1 1/4 oz 1330 fps. no trouble with either at all so far. just picked up a box of super x high brass #4 1 1/4 oz 1330 fps,not shot any yet.

never tried the shurshot heavy field and dove loads. the rem game loads 1 oz. 7.5,8. i shot a hundred or so of each without a single hiccup. only jam( failure to open) i had was with estate ammo. other than that issue everything i fed mine so far has fired and ejected when i told it too.

[Tatsumi67]

Never had that problem with my Winchesters. Take it down and clean with a good strong solvent and a copper brush.

[rantingredneck]

Never had that problem with my Winchesters.

Neither have I, but stories abound.........

Besides the cleaning, remember, Winchester wally world packs are steel rimmed hulls.

Funny that the Federal Promo packs also have steel rim and they don't seem to be often associated with stoppages. I tend to buy them for cheap plinking fodder since they are usually cheaper than the Winchester variety.

[snevensmores]

I got a 870 Express Super Mag a couple months ago. Gun cycles Remington 00 Buck and Federal Bulk pack birdshot just fine, as well as the two Remington 3 1/2" turkey loads I ran through it.

However, I've had the same problem when it comes to the Winchester loads, mine being "Super Speed Xtra" game loads -- 1oz #8 shot, 1350FPS. I didn't have a drill accessible, so I ended up polishing the chamber by hand with gun oil and 0000 steel wool. I think I made at least a little bit of progress on the one noticeable burr that I found. I was only able to shoot a few of the Winchesters through it afterwards, but they cycled (admittedly, I racked the pump with authority).

I still have a feeling that I'm going to continue to have problems with this junk ammo. My advice -- go ahead and polish the chamber if you like, and stick with the Federal bulk packs.

[Ghost22]

A friend had the exact same issue with Winchester "grey box" ammo in his Winchester Model 12 (ironic, isn't it?). After around 20 rounds the hull sticks in the chamber so tight it has to be cleared with a rod. We cleaned the gun well, took it back to the range with the Winchester 15 round 00 buck value pack, and had the same issue. Bear in mind, we fired other brand ammo before and after clearing the stuck hull, without cleaning, and it worked perfectly. Also, firing Winchester's 00 buck low recoil (higher dollar) ammo in the exact same gun works fine. He's since traded me all his promotional Winchester ammo for my cheap Federal ammo, because my Mossberg fires the ammo in question perfectly. I have no idea why it chokes in his pump and works in mine; this ammo is very tempermental. Stick with what works; just avoid lost cost Winchester shells, since they don't seem to work through your gun.

[Sarge]

I shoot these Winchester 'Universal' field loads through every shotgun on the place. I dove hunt with them which often means fast shooting and staying 'topped off' without conscious thought. I also use them as a LE training/familiarization load- and have for some time. This means better than a dozen 870's overall.

Yank the forend harder. Some shells simply eject better than others, and the only thing I've noticed about the load in question is that it requires vigorous manipulation of the action on the 'eject' stroke. Otherwise, your 870 should run fine on these.

[Nnobby45]

Had trouble with Winchester Tactical slugs (low recoil)--the white ones. The the same problem existed with the brass-- uh, aluminum--- swelling and causing difficulty with extraction. Had a case of the stuff that was "Police surplus". I can see why they got rid of it. Every third or fourth round hung up--not very fun to shoot up.

Haven't had any problem with Winchester's target loads.

Also, no problems with the Winchester Ranger Tac. 00buckshot, which uses the same aluminum case--or at least it looks like aluminum (silver).:cool: