[Phelptwan]

Ok...so I've been searching around for a rifled barrel for my 870 express. First I was wondering how good the Mossberg barrels are. I'm guessing just as good as any of the others.

Here's the ones I saw at CTD. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/21585-54067-706.html

I was also wondering if a scope on a shotgun is worth it, and if this is any good.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/21585-54067-706.html

Or is there another recommended barrel for a decent price (around $150)? Basically will just be deer hunting with it, looking for a rifled barrel.

[Dave McCracken]

The Mossberg stuff seems OK.

Cheap scopes rarely last on shotguns.

And, at typical Eastern ranges, even a bead works OK. I'd get open sights or dedicate the weapon to slugs and mount a peep and appropriate front sight.

And with all respect, I've seen more folks hunting that need to learn to get closer than shoot further.

[TrapperReady]

I'm not opposed to scopes on a shotgun, but I don't like 3-9x adjustables. IMO, those belong on rifles. For a shotgun, I like low-magnification (preferably fixed-power scopes). Think of it more as a precise method to aim, instead of trying to magnify and get "up close and personal" with the target.

One good friend had a string of buck-fever misses until he mounted a 1.5x fixed scope on his shotgun. Since then, he's not missed. Before, he would find himself concentrating on the size of the deer's antlers, and not really setting up for a good shot. The scope makes him really focus on the shot.

Personally, I prefer a good peep sight, but scopes can serve a similar purpose. My concern with the higher-magnification versions is that it can be too easy to think "Well, I can see it... I bet I could hit it." when the shot is truly out of effective range.

[TrapperReady]

I'm not opposed to scopes on a shotgun, but I don't like 3-9x adjustables. IMO, those belong on rifles. For a shotgun, I like low-magnification (preferably fixed-power scopes). Think of it more as a precise method to aim, instead of trying to magnify and get "up close and personal" with the target.

One good friend had a string of buck-fever misses until he mounted a 1.5x fixed scope on his shotgun. Since then, he's not missed. Before, he would find himself concentrating on the size of the deer's antlers, and not really setting up for a good shot. The scope makes him really focus on the shot.

Personally, I prefer a good peep sight, but scopes can serve a similar purpose. My concern with the higher-magnification versions is that it can be too easy to think "Well, I can see it... I bet I could hit it." when the shot is truly out of effective range.

[coyotehitman]

Dick's runs a 500 combo 12 or 20 with a VR barrel, cantilever rifled slug barrel, two cheek rests, and scope for 249.99 almost yearly during the deer season. So, for a little more than a Remington barrel, you get much more.

[foghornl]

I saw a really 'not so useful, IMHO' setup...a 4-12x40 scope mounted up on a shotgun.

4x is [again, in my humble opinion] right on the verge of too much, but this guy had it cranked up to 12x.

My shotgun only has the front bead.

[chas08]

I have a 18 in Riot "Mossy" replacement barrel on an old 870 express I keep under the bed for HD. I even killed a deer with it in Illinois a few years ago with a B-Square reciever mount and a fixed 2X scope. It has seen a lot of bird and buckshot just playing around and has worked just fine with no function issues.