Help with shotty

[Stein]

I have an 870 express with an 18.5" barrel that I want to rig for turkeys.  Looking through the barrel options, there are many to chose from - especially when I have little to no experience in that arena.  Any suggestion on barrel length and choke for something that would be dedicated to turkeys?

[DOUBLELUNG]

Here's a fun article with some of the possibilities http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2010/04/remington-870-turkey-season-makeover/?image=0

Myself, I would get a 22-24" barrel threaded for choke tubes and either a Remington extra-full turkey choke, or an aftermarket turkey choke.  Add a sling, paint it or cover it with camo and call it good.

[Special T]

One thing I would do even with a new barrel is to hone it. I take a pice of scotch brite pad cut a strip that will fit in my shotgun patch rod. Mine was 1"w 3" long. I used some atf for lubricant and attached the patch rod to a drill. I ran the drill while running up and down the inside of the barrel. It worked so good I did it on all my shotguns.

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[tgomez]

I also shoot a 870 in the "express" model. Mine has a 28" barrel and will reach out and touch em at 45 yards. I preffer a full choke to keep my pattern really tight as to get as many pellets in the head and spine as possible. The long barrel is terrific for goose/pheasant/grouse/duck as well. I am 6'4" though and this set-up fits me perfectly. Invest in a good quality choke tube and your 18" barrel should do you just fine.

[superdown]

I also shoot a 870 in the "express" model. Mine has a 28" barrel and will reach out and touch em at 45 yards. I preffer a full choke to keep my pattern really tight as to get as many pellets in the head and spine as possible. The long barrel is terrific for goose/pheasant/grouse/duck as well. I am 6'4" though and this set-up fits me perfectly. Invest in a good quality choke tube and your 18" barrel should do you just fine.

As the range master at the Kenmore shotgun range told me when i was learning to trap shoot the length of barrel on a shotgun doesn't really matter because your not gaining velocity from rifling it's all about the choke you choose to get the desired pattern as long as you have enough barrel to burn all the powder after that it's just extra barrel.