Choosing the Right Ammunition for Your Remington 870 Barrel
Selecting ammunition for a Remington 870 is about more than choosing a familiar brand or the heaviest load available. Barrel length affects handling, balance, velocity and the way the shotgun performs in the field, while chamber length, bore size and choke determine whether a shell is suitable and safe.
For Australian shooters, the decision also involves state or territory regulations, licensed dealer requirements and the availability of particular loads in the local market. Whether your 870 is used for clay target shooting near Melbourne, pest control on rural property in New South Wales or hunting in Queensland, begin with the markings on the firearm rather than assumptions about the model.
Read The Barrel And Chamber Markings
Look for the gauge and chamber designation stamped on the barrel or receiver. A common 12-gauge Remington 870 may be marked for 2¾-inch shells, 3-inch shells, or both. In metric terms, these are approximately 70 mm and 76 mm respectively. A 3-inch chamber can generally accept shorter shells of the same gauge, but a shorter chamber must never be treated as suitable for longer ammunition.
Gauge must match exactly. A 12-gauge shell does not belong in a 20-gauge 870, and a 20-gauge shell should not be used in a 12-gauge chamber. Also check the owner’s manual and the barrel’s proof or pressure guidance, especially if the shotgun is an older Wingmaster, a youth model or a specialised police configuration.
Barrel length is separate from chamber length. An 18.5-inch barrel may be chambered for 3-inch ammunition, while a 28-inch barrel may have a 2¾-inch chamber. Confirm both specifications before ordering, and inspect shells for damage, corrosion or incorrect dimensions.
Understand What Barrel Length Changes
A shorter barrel is usually easier to carry through thick scrub, vehicles and confined spaces. It may also swing quickly, which can be useful for some practical shooting or hunting situations. Longer barrels often provide a smoother swing and steadier balance for clay targets or open-country field use.
The barrel does not decide the shell length by itself. Its main influence is practical handling and, to a lesser extent, velocity. Many shotgun loads are designed to perform within normal sporting barrel lengths, so the difference between a 20-inch and 26-inch barrel is usually less important than the load’s shot size, construction and intended purpose.
Do not select a more powerful shell simply to compensate for a short barrel. A heavy recoil load can make follow-up shots slower, reduce comfort and encourage poor technique. Pattern testing with the actual barrel is a more useful way to assess performance than relying on a velocity figure printed on a box.
Match Loads To Your 870’s Purpose
For clay target disciplines, lighter 12-gauge target loads are commonly chosen because they produce manageable recoil and consistent patterns. A 2¾-inch shell with a moderate shot charge may be more suitable for repeated shooting than a magnum load. Local ranges may also impose rules covering shot size, wad type or maximum cartridge length.
Field loads are selected according to the game, legal requirements and the shotgun’s choke. Small shot sizes are used for smaller quarry, while larger pellets carry more energy but place fewer pellets in the pattern. Hunting regulations differ across Australia, and some species, locations or seasons may require particular shot types or prohibit certain ammunition.
Slugs are a separate category. They are designed for a smoothbore or compatible rifled barrel according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and their use may be restricted by local law, range policy or hunting regulations. A slug is not a general-purpose substitute for birdshot or buckshot, and it should never be chosen without confirming barrel and choke compatibility.
Compare Common 12-Gauge Options
The following guide is a starting point, not a substitute for the markings on your firearm, the ammunition manufacturer’s instructions or local regulations.
| Load type | Typical use | Barrel-length considerations | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light target load | Clay targets and practice | Works well across common sporting lengths; reduced recoil is helpful | Confirm range rules and shot size |
| Standard field load | General hunting applications where lawful | A balanced choice for 20–28-inch barrels and varied conditions | Match shot size and choke to the quarry |
| Heavy or magnum load | Larger game or specific hunting needs | Short barrels may feel sharper and more muzzle-blast can be noticeable | Use only with a chamber rated for that shell |
| Buckshot | Specialist applications where legal | Pattern quality matters more than barrel length alone | Check state law, choke guidance and range restrictions |
| Slug | Approved large-game or specialist use | Barrel and choke compatibility must be confirmed | Never assume every 870 barrel is suitable |
When shopping online, compare the shell length, shot charge, shot size and intended use together. The product description should clearly state the gauge and cartridge length. If the information is incomplete, pause the purchase rather than guessing. You can keep suitable options together in your shopping cart while checking the specifications.
Account For Choke, Shot And Slugs
Choke controls how tightly the shot pattern constricts after it leaves the barrel. Cylinder, improved cylinder, modified and full chokes can produce different results with the same cartridge. A tighter choke is not automatically better; the correct choice depends on distance, quarry, shot material and the pattern required.
Steel shot deserves particular care. Some older barrels and chokes are not rated for steel, and tight constrictions can create safety or performance problems. Alternatives such as bismuth or other approved non-toxic shot may be available, but the barrel and choke manufacturer’s instructions must take priority.
Pattern testing should be performed at realistic distances using the exact shell, barrel and choke combination. Use a safe, lawful range and follow its procedures. A pattern that looks even at one distance may become too open or too dense at another, so record the results instead of relying solely on general advice.
Buy Within Australian Rules
Firearms and ammunition laws vary between New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. A shooter in Sydney may face different purchase, storage or transport requirements from someone in regional Victoria or Queensland. Check the relevant state or territory firearms registry and use a licensed firearms dealer where required.
A US-style reference to an FFL does not automatically describe the Australian transfer process. Ammunition sales, interstate movement, importation and delivery may involve licences, permits, identity checks or dealer collection. Online availability does not mean a product can legally be shipped directly to every address.
The retailer’s shotgun catalogue can help identify barrel configurations and compatible Remington models, but Australian buyers should confirm the transfer arrangements before placing an order. Local dealers can also clarify whether a particular 12-gauge load is commonly stocked, approved for the intended activity and permitted in the relevant state.
Practical Checks Before Buying
A short checklist prevents many avoidable mistakes. Complete these checks before comparing brands or chasing a discount.
- Read the gauge and chamber markings on the barrel.
- Confirm the shell length in both inches and millimetres.
- Check the choke and whether it is rated for the selected shot material.
- Match the load to the lawful activity and your shooting distance.
Once the basic fit is established, review the product details more closely. This is especially useful when buying imported ammunition or comparing listings that use different descriptions for the same cartridge length.
- Compare shot size, payload and recoil characteristics.
- Avoid damaged, wet, corroded or poorly labelled cartridges.
- Confirm licence, storage, delivery and collection requirements.
- Keep the ammunition separate from incompatible loads in storage.
Product releases and stock changes can be worth monitoring when a preferred target or non-toxic load is difficult to find. The retailer’s release notices may provide useful availability information, but every listing still needs to be checked against your firearm and Australian purchasing rules.
A sensible selection process is simple: identify the chamber, confirm the gauge, consider the barrel and choke, then choose a load designed for the activity. After purchase, keep the ammunition in its original labelled packaging, transport it according to local requirements and test its pattern safely before relying on it in the field.
Browse suitable Remington options, verify the specifications with a licensed Australian dealer and place your order only when the cartridge, firearm and legal requirements all align.