Remington 870 Express 20 Ga Barrel Question

I just picked a partically brand new Remington 870 Express 20 Ga. I got the gun at a good price however it has a 28" vent rib barrel. I would like to turn this gun into one of the special 20 Ga turkey killers that so many on here have. However, I don't want a 28" barrel. I have that set up with my 870 12 ga with the Rhino 2" extended choke tube.

With the above said what are my options? Can I have the barrel cut to length or would I be better off to sale the 28" and purchase a shorter barrel?

I think I got the gun cheap enough that I can spend a little money on getting a barrel set up like I want. I would like to have a 24" barrel overall when said and done. Give me some suggestions guys.

I would buy a barrel IMO

I dunno what a new barrel would cost, but you could send it to SumToy and get him to cut it to the exact length you want, thread it for one of his chokes, and then make you a choke. Probably run about $100 for all that. His chokes are built like a tank.

http://www.sumtoycustoms.com/index.php/prices

Just an idea but you could just sell the gun and buy an 870 compact brand new with a 21" barrel for $350.......... Might come out cheaper in the long run than cutting on or buying a new barrel.
The 21" barrel isn't too short......several guys on here shoot that same gun and it will turn any turkey a flip inside of 50 yards with the right shells.......... Make that 60 yards if you're shooting TSS.

Preacher I sent him a email and I already have one his chokes I won through Missouri Whitetails for this exact gun. The choke is still brand new in the package. That alone might save me some money.

Brent I have thought about doing as you suggested if the cost of a new barrel or having Sumtoy customize the current barrel is not realistic. I would also like to shoot some TSS if I can makes buddies with someone that knows how to reload. I don't mind buying the supplies for the TSS. If I can't go the TSS route then I'll do the next best thing which will be Nitros. They have been good to me over the years but I sure would like to get on board with the TSS espically in a 20 ga.

TSS shouldn't be a problem.

Squeaky if you got a cheap little drill press me or anybody else on here that loads it can show you how in about ten minutes. If I can do it anybody can.

Squeaky, you have noticed where I live right? And that I have an 870 20ga 21" barrel being set up for turkey, and I load TSS along with a couple other Shelby county guys?

Hmmm, what could we work out in a deal. Thinking here......maybe come spring......

Thanks Brandon. When you get time shoot me a pm with the supplies I'll need. I'll start buying what I'll need so I'm not trying to get everything last minute.

We just might be able to work out a deal I also know you are in Shelby Cty

I just got in the last of my 20ga supplies last week, and thanks to PCP I got a few pieces of the felt I needed (BPI was out) to load up some test rounds. Plan to have those ready in the next few weeks and shoot a few.

I can help you out on a supplies list too, but n2 knows everything needed.

X2 on Sumtoy Mike. I'm gonna send him my new 20 gauge and have the barrel cut and have it drilled and tapped for a FF3. I've read that he makes a fine TSS choke for a 20 gauge.

Finding the powder and 28 gauge felt are the two worst parts of buying the TSS supplies. I had to get PCP to pick my gun powder up as I could not find any locally and you pay out the arse for it if u order it online. Hal will give you a list of everything you need when you order the shot.

If you already have the choke, then I believe you are looking at $35 to cut and thread the barrel. Whatever the cost, it will be insignificant when compared to the cost of making the tss shells.

My advice: fix the gun exactly like you want it and don't worry about saving a few dollars. A guy that turkey hunts several states each year oughta have his turkey gun set up the way he really wants it. When you think about how much money you spend on turkey hunting, the few dollars you spend on your gun shouldn't be an issue.

Well put Steve.

Mike, 3toe might be easier to help you. But I would be glad to.
Feel free to ask any questions.

Order your shot from half and he will tell you what you need. All there is to it.

After that anyone of us could help you on getting them loaded.

Roll crimp bit if you don't have a press.
Good set of scales and the components are about it. Few other thing help but not really necessary.

Stony I would like to do the same as you are doing with my new 20 ga. However, I have not heard back from William on what he can offer. Sounds like you and PCP have spoken with or dealt with him recently. If I can get the same modifications as you I would be in business.

I think having Sumtoy modify my barrel will be the right choice for the money. Looks like I could also have him do some other things to the barrel that might help it shoot a better pattern. The 20 ga replacement barrels are hard to find and quite pricy as well. I hunt a lot of open ground and field turkeys so having a set up that will shoot the best pattern possible is very important to me. My 870 12 ga is a proven killer under these hunting conditions, so it’s going to be hard to leave it at home.

PCP I plan to do as you suggested on the set up. I don’t plan to cut any corners on the 20 ga build. As you stated I spend a lot of time hunting in and out of state. The cost of building a reliable gun capable of a human kill is insignificant when looking at the overall cost of my new turkey hunting addiction.

Thanks Brandon for your offer. I might very well take you up on it if 3toe or Darryl can't help me out.

I will shot Hal a PM for a list of supplies and cost.

When you get ready, shoot me a pm or phone number and I can help get you set up on what you need.

I would crew the choke in and kill turkeys.

You may not notice a difference. Hard to leave the 12 at home, I also can understand this, I prefer to mix it up. I killed 2 with the 20 and several with the 12, I think its partially what you come to trust and what you want to use. I think trust in a gun comes to mean more than how well it patterns.

You have to know it.

What you come to trust makes a better turkey gun than any, I still have not gotten that way about my 20 to be honest. I just started felling that way for my citori.

The worst patterning gun I have ever had I trusted the most, funny huh?

You are probably gonna have to call William if you want to discuss something with him in any detail. I don't think he checks email very often, and typing is not his strong suit. Just give him a call and he'll talk with you as long as needed.

Squeaky I felt the same way you did about swapping over to a 20....... I bought the gun, had it dipped, put a fastfire on it and loaded TSS for it and then when opening day of turkey season rolled around I left it sitting at the house. I decided I was emotionally attached to my 12 and would have a hard time putting it away.
Finally talked myself into carrying the 20 one morning and had to make a snap shot on a turkey that circled and came up a steep hill and finally popped up too close for comfort and not where he needed to be for me to kill him without moving a little. I had the trigger on that 20 worked down to about 2.5 lbs and as soon as I swung and got that dot on his head it was like the gun just went off all by itself.

I have never considered carrying my 12 ga to the woods since and I doubt I ever will unless I just wake up one morning and get sentimental or something.

Think of it like this, or at least I did. Any 12 ga load 2oz and under can be loaded in a 20ga. And, if I am not mistaken I think there may be a load out there just over 2oz for the 20 being tested right now. So, does it really matter if that 2oz's is being shot out of a 20ga or a 12? No, it's still 2oz and shot being sent downrange. So, why not take advantage of the lighter and more compact package of the 20ga? Made me feel a little better putting the 12 ga up.

When a 20 gauge will kill a turkey dead as a hammer every single time at 60+ yards (with TSS), why in the world would a man that is serious about turkey hunting carry a heavy ol 12 gauge? To be honest, I still feel a little guilty about shooting one last year at what was probably 55 yards in a field with the 20 gauge. I hope to not do that too often (ain't gonna say never for obvious reasons), but I was one more frustrated sumbuck by the time that situation arose no doubt! Sure was nice to have it when I decided I needed it though!

Shoot Chad. Why would you not want to do it often if you can kill them every time at that distance.

I know this guy will

X2. Hell, they are hard enough to kill without setting silly limits like 35-40yds.

my sp10 on top of my 870 express 20. mossy oak graphics, .570 jelly head and fiber sights make for a mean combo with the nitros. compare to the 10ga and you'll see why i have a nother thread looking to cut down the 10ga

i'm in shelby co. too and would love to join the tss bunch if room!

XV, what part you in? We don't let just any riff raff join up.

Thanks PCP will do that as soon as I get a chance.

Makes good sense to me and I wasn't aware of that info

Chad sounds good to me pal And by the way I wasn't all that serious about turkey hunting until this past spring. I got mad at them at some point or was just having a lot of fun. I'm undecided on which one of the two it was

lower alabaster not too far from squeaky and basscat...prob disqualified already due to the riff raff designation from many years ago

LOL! Whatever it is....if you set that 20 gauge up right (i.e. go ahead and cut that barrel down, shoot TSS, and make sure it hits right POI/POA)....you won't be caught dead carrying that heavy, long 12 gauge unless the 20 gauge is down for some reason. I had a 12 gauge setup this past season that I believe would have killed a turkey dead at 70 yards, but ended up never even putting it in my vehicle best I remember. I carried my son's 21" 870 20 gauge with me all the time as a backup to my little Mossy 20 gauge. I'm done with 12's for turkeys...not real sure why I still own one just to be honest.