[SHOOTER13]

This thread is dedicated to the firearms of O.F. Mossberg & Sons...

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The 500 series comprises widely varying models of hammerless, pump action repeaters, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in bore size, barrel length, choke options, magazine capacity, and "furniture" ( stock and forearm) materials.



Pictured above is my Mossberg 500 Cruiser chambered in 12 gauge. I have it configured with a pistol grip, but also own a full length stock.

[911JB]

Lets see them Mossys!



My 500s.

[911JB]

Mossberg 500 20g, rifled & ported barrel, w/ 3-9x32 scope.

[SHOOTER13]

Nice "shots" JB...!!

[rsfrid]

If I were to buy a first shotgun (Mossberg is my current favorite) to use for skeet and general bird hunting, what would be the one I should look at first? So many options. I am thinking a long barrel 12 gauge that will take 3" shells if desired.

[SHOOTER13]

Yes...a 12 gauge chambered for 3" shells is the norm...with an over and under the best for trap, skeet and sporting clays

while a nice double or even an auto loader with at least 26" barrels for upland birds and turkey. Mossberg, Remington, Winchester,

Ithaca, Browning, Stoeger...all make great guns for these purposes.

[shaner]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

If I were to buy a first shotgun (Mossberg is my current favorite) to use for skeet and general bird hunting, what would be the one I should look at first? So many options. I am thinking a long barrel 12 gauge that will take 3" shells if desired.

look at one of mossbergs combo's , a 28 or 30 in barrel will do any bird or sport shooting u want, and a slug barrel for the rest of the hunting, or even home defense, just shy away from the rifled slug barrel unless u want to get serious on slug hunting

[911JB]

Originally Posted by shaner

look at one of mossbergs combo's , a 28 or 30 in barrel will do any bird or sport shooting u want, and a slug barrel for the rest of the hunting, or even home defense, just shy away from the rifled slug barrel unless u want to get serious on slug hunting

I agree shanner. I would lean towards the 28" barrel, with a vent rib & double bead and the acuchoke system with at least the full and mod chokes. If the OP is a turkey hunter then add a turkey tube and that should cover most of the bases.
When it comes to the slug barrel, while I personally would never go back to a smooth barrel, I also would say a smooth barrel. That is if the OP just plans on ocasionally deer hunting.
Myself, I use a rifled, ported barrel on all my scoped deer guns. i prefer the nice tight 3" groups [@100 yards] of a rifled barrel over those 6"-9" groups you usually get out of the smooth barrels. At $2.50 cents a shell for the sabots I use it costs a bit more to use, but I feel it is worth every penny. Then again, as you said, I am very serious about my deer hunting.

[chuckusaret]

I don't have a shotgun for hunting, I don't hunt, but if a two legged animal should break into my house I would most likely go for my Mossberg. The picture is of the weapons that go into my BUG OUT bag. The Colt just below the Mossberg is taken just for safe keeping.