Remington 870 smoothbore vs. rifled barrel: A field guide
The Remington 870 is a widely recognised pump-action shotgun, and the choice between a smoothbore and a rifled barrel shapes what you can do with it. Both suit different shooting tasks and reward different preparation.
The barrel is only part of the equation. Ammunition, choke, stock fit, sighting and the shooter’s technique determine how a shotgun performs, while Australian licensing, storage and import rules determine what you may lawfully buy and use.
The useful comparison is not simply smooth versus rifled. It is which barrel supports your intended targets, the loads you can obtain locally and the handling you prefer at the range or in the field.
What the barrel actually changes
A smoothbore has an open, cylindrical bore, while a rifled barrel has spiral grooves that grip and stabilise a projectile. A smoothbore is not necessarily an open-choke gun: many 870 field models combine a smoothbore barrel with a removable full-choke tube. The tube constricts the shot pattern even though the barrel has no rifling, so check the barrel and choke markings on the exact model.
Rifling does not change the calibre. A 12-gauge 870 remains a 12-gauge shotgun, and ordinary birdshot will not gain the same accuracy benefit as an approved rifled slug. Most factory 870s use one barrel configuration, so treat the choice as a model decision rather than a simple barrel swap. Barrel type, gauge, chamber, shell length and intended use all need checking. Compare the model listed by an independent seller such as Remington Firearms Store with the manufacturer’s information before deciding.
Choosing for the intended target
A smoothbore is particularly useful for clay targets and close-range bird shooting. Open bore spreads the shot pattern, which can make it easier to hit a clay or place pellets on a bird moving across the shooter. A suitable choke can tighten that pattern, although it will not create the stabilised flight associated with rifling.
A rifled barrel is usually the better choice when accuracy at greater distance matters. Purpose-made rifled slugs can hold a tighter group, giving hunters more confidence beyond the range at which an open-bore pattern falls away. The result still depends on the load, the sights and the shooter; rifling cannot compensate for poor alignment or unfamiliar handling.
Ammunition, chokes and local rules
Choke constricts the muzzle, while rifling shapes the projectile’s flight. A full or improved-cylinder choke may improve a smoothbore pattern with suitable birdshot, but it cannot create rifled-slug performance. Conversely, a rifled bore does not make an unsuitable shell a precise hunting load.
Use only ammunition approved for the exact gauge, chamber, barrel and shell length. Select rifled-slug loads approved for that barrel and follow the manufacturer’s stated projectile and component combination. Do not substitute load data or components from another barrel merely because the calibre looks similar.
Australia’s wetlands rules add an essential ammunition check. Used lead shot is prohibited in marine, coastal and terrestrial wetlands except at specified approved sites, and signs may impose further restrictions. Choose an approved non-toxic alternative where required, and check the current rule for the ground you intend to shoot.
Fit, sighting and safe handling
The best barrel choice can still be uncomfortable if the stock does not fit. Barrel length, weight, balance, length of pull and stock drop affect how the 870 settles onto a target. A full-stock field model suits many shooters, while a lighter target configuration may suit others. Try a properly stocked gun in a safe setting or ask a gunsmith to check the dimensions.
For a rifled setup, have the firearm zeroed with the intended rifled-slug load and check the elevation at a reputable range. Iron sights, a properly fitted red-dot sight and the barrel’s natural point of aim each need attention. Do not drill the receiver or fit an accessory loosely; have a competent gunsmith mount and secure it.
Before any session, unload the gun, visually check the chamber and barrel, and keep the muzzle under control. Transport it in a locked case and follow your state’s storage and transport rules, including any permit required for interstate movement. If a round is fired unintentionally, keep the muzzle safe and have the firearm inspected by a qualified professional before using it again.
Buying within Australian firearm rules
A buyer normally needs the appropriate state or territory firearm licence, registration and compliant storage before acquiring a shotgun. NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory each apply their own transfer procedures. An online catalogue or customer account cannot replace those checks, and advertised discounts do not alter them.
The term FFL used in United States retail shipping is not an Australian authorisation. An Australian order generally needs a state-licensed firearms dealer who can complete the transfer. If an overseas retailer ships to a dealer, confirm that the dealer can legally receive the firearm and take responsibility for the import. For a personal import, check the permit and customs approval process administered by Customs and Border Protection, and obtain state permission where needed before travel.
Local dealers in Melbourne and Sydney can usually explain the process and available models, while buyers in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart or Darwin should check their own jurisdiction rather than assuming another state’s rules apply. City and rural dealers may carry different 870 variants and ammunition, so confirm stock before planning a range day. If a sidearm is also under consideration, the listed handgun models need a separate assessment of fit, storage and handling.
Using the range for better results
A controlled range session is more useful than a hurried trip. Bring the factory load or an approved load you already know, suitable eye and ear protection, a cleaning kit and a clear plan for changing targets. Check the range’s calibre restrictions, ammunition bans, booking requirements and any rules specific to the site before leaving home.
Start with the owner’s manual and the approved load data. With the gun unloaded and verified, confirm that the action operates smoothly and the sights are secure. Treat any unusual sound, force or extraction problem as a reason to stop and seek an inspection. Practical experience comes from consistent conditions, recorded results and measured changes, not simply more shells.
For a serious purchase, browse the online shop to shortlist available models, then ask the dealer to confirm current specifications and price. Accounts, order tracking and 24/7 support can help with the transaction, but an in-person handover with a licensed Australian dealer remains the best opportunity to check fit, complete paperwork and receive safe handling guidance.
Make your choice and order responsibly
For clay, field birds and close-range versatility, a suitable choke-equipped smoothbore is often the simplest answer. For precision with rifled slugs at longer distances, a rifled 870 can be the more purposeful choice. Neither is universally better; the ammunition, the quarry and the shooting environment should decide it.
Choose the configuration that matches your intended use, inspect the actual gun, and complete licensing, customs and dealer requirements before ordering. Shortlist a model in the catalogue, then confirm its barrel markings, fit and availability with a licensed Australian dealer. Make the purchase, transfer and record-keeping a deliberate process rather than a response to a promotion.
Use customer accounts and order tracking to manage the purchase, and check the terms of any advertised cryptocurrency or military discount before payment. Once the choice is settled, book a range session, set a safe routine from the first round and keep a shooting log. A clear decision, a properly fitted gun and a proven load will serve you better than chasing a barrel option that sounds more capable.