Shotgun recommendation and more.

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Currently have a mossberg 500 that doesn’t quit fit me and I’ve been playing with the idea of getting something new. Mainly because I was just granted permission for about 1000 acres of fields for dove, pheasant and goose and I’d like to shoot clays a little more. I don’t know if it’s me not really knowing how to shoot a shotgun or if this mossberg just sucks but I’m looking for recommendations on something new be it a pump or auto. I’m a large man at 6ft6 300lbs and the mossberg just seems too small for me. Trying to stay under $700
 
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That budget amount will limit you to new pumps, used semis of good quality or really cheap crappy O/Us..............What's your preference since you mention a WIDE variety of things.
So, in order of preference, what comes first, second, third, etc.............?
 
And that is an excellent choice for something adequate for a wide range; same like the 870 and 500 in pumps and 930 and 1100 in semis. That said, it has been my experience that a jack of all trades is a master of none - hence my previous question as to what you envision doing with this and your preferences. Example, if goose hunting is a major priority, then 3 or 3.5" chambers with a plastic stock and rust-resistant parts is crucial; if however, that is once in a while and clay targets is the main thrust, something else might be a better choice. So help us help you with some more details.
 
what size 500 are you using? How is it small? LOP, or weight or "swing" of the barrel? I don't hunt, but i much prefer the weight and balance of a 20" 590a1 over a 500 sporting an 18" barrel. Night and day

Not a gun I would expect to hunt well with, but it would be helpful to know how the 500 doesn't fit you.
 
I DO hunt, as well as shoot a lot of sporting clays. I prefer 30" and longer for hunting, especially with 20s, 28s. with 12s for clays, I want 32s for barrel lengths..........and a lot of weight, like 8.5#+
 
Fiv3r said:
what size 500 are you using? How is it small? LOP, or weight or "swing" of the barrel? I don't hunt, but i much prefer the weight and balance of a 20" 590a1 over a 500 sporting an 18" barrel. Night and day

Not a gun I would expect to hunt well with, but it would be helpful to know how the 500 doesn't fit you.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the swing dynamics difference between 18" and 20" barrels is virtually none. The longer mag, if full, does help some, but not as much as a 28 or 30 inch barrel, or more. I am with George P on this; unless you are hunting a lot of grouse and woodcock, or assigning this shotgun Home Defense duty, longer barrels are going to help you shoot better. I also agree on the choices he mentioned in the price range you mentioned.

So, the more you let us know, the better and more specific the recommendations will be.
 
Barrel length aside, most production shotguns are made for an average sized person. The OP may need some improvements to the stock to improve the fit for his larger body type.

Generally, a Mossberg 500 has a good reputation as a reliable shotgun. But, as the OP is concerned, the fit may not be correct. I'd probably work with the existing shotgun modifying the stock for fit before looking at other brands.

Fit to the shooter is important for reliable hits on target. If working close to average is not providing results desired, then more drastic methods are required to provide reliable hits.
 
George P said:
And that is an excellent choice for something adequate for a wide range; same like the 870 and 500 in pumps and 930 and 1100 in semis. That said, it has been my experience that a jack of all trades is a master of none - hence my previous question as to what you envision doing with this and your preferences. Example, if goose hunting is a major priority, then 3 or 3.5" chambers with a plastic stock and rust-resistant parts is crucial; if however, that is once in a while and clay targets is the main thrust, something else might be a better choice. So help us help you with some more details.
Click to expand...
Never Goose hunted but the two guys I hunt with goose hunt all the time. I’ve never been with them because they either travel too far or the geese are in the area during the week while I’m working. Dove is several times a year and clays a few times a summer and fall.
 
Fiv3r said:
what size 500 are you using? How is it small? LOP, or weight or "swing" of the barrel? I don't hunt, but i much prefer the weight and balance of a 20" 590a1 over a 500 sporting an 18" barrel. Night and day

Not a gun I would expect to hunt well with, but it would be helpful to know how the 500 doesn't fit you.
Click to expand...
The stock seems too small. It’s like my shoulder and chest just suck it all in making it hard to shoulder and see the bead.
 
entropy said:
Yeah, the swing dynamics difference between 18" and 20" barrels is virtually none. The longer mag, if full, does help some, but not as much as a 28 or 30 inch barrel, or more. I am with George P on this; unless you are hunting a lot of grouse and woodcock, or assigning this shotgun Home Defense duty, longer barrels are going to help you shoot better. I also agree on the choices he mentioned in the price range you mentioned.

So, the more you let us know, the better and more specific the recommendations will be.
Click to expand...
The current mossberg has I believe a 26” barrel on it but the stock seems to have a lot of dip where my chin doesn’t touch the stock. Just looking for a bird and clay gun. I have HD covered.
 
There are several methods of lengthening a stock; if you want it to look good, I recommend they be done by a stockfitter, a gunsmith who specializes in working with the customer to come up with the right stock dimensions for the shooter. The top end option is a whole new custom piece of wood. This would cost more than your 500 is worth, quite honestly not the best option if you want to use that gun. The best solution would be to install an adjustable LOP buttplate like this; https://stockpositioning.com/produc...t-plate-assembly-auto-for-auto-shotguns-black or this; https://stockpositioning.com/produc...ustable-lop-pad-plate-black-stock-positioning. SPS is the go to for these, and it's best to call them (number is in the link) and talk to Joe, he will get you set up right. From your last post, this might be a good addition also; https://stockpositioning.com/products/4-25-rectangle-heavy-duty-comb-adjuster-step-insert , if you decide to stay with the 500. (or on any gun shotgun you decide on.) Another shop I recommend is https://tronspace.com/ , and again best to call, and his name is also Joe. These two shops are the best in the biz, they will get you fit correctly.
With your size, you will probably find that getting a fitting done on any longarms you plan on keeping is a good idea. You can't shoot well if the gun doesn't fit you, and as you've found out, most guns won't fit you well as is.
 
entropy said:
There are several methods of lengthening a stock; if you want it to look good, I recommend they be done by a stockfitter, a gunsmith who specializes in working with the customer to come up with the right stock dimensions for the shooter. The top end option is a whole new custom piece of wood. This would cost more than your 500 is worth, quite honestly not the best option if you want to use that gun. The best solution would be to install an adjustable LOP buttplate like this; https://stockpositioning.com/produc...t-plate-assembly-auto-for-auto-shotguns-black or this; https://stockpositioning.com/produc...ustable-lop-pad-plate-black-stock-positioning. SPS is the go to for these, and it's best to call them (number is in the link) and talk to Joe, he will get you set up right. From your last post, this might be a good addition also; https://stockpositioning.com/products/4-25-rectangle-heavy-duty-comb-adjuster-step-insert , if you decide to stay with the 500. (or on any gun shotgun you decide on.) Another shop I recommend is https://tronspace.com/ , and again best to call, and his name is also Joe. These two shops are the best in the biz, they will get you fit correctly.
With your size, you will probably find that getting a fitting done on any longarms you plan on keeping is a good idea. You can't shoot well if the gun doesn't fit you, and as you've found out, most guns won't fit you well as is.
Click to expand...
The current 500 has a cheek riser used for the slug barrel would that work?
 
I’m gonna give the 500 another whirl tomorrow at the sporting clays/skeet range what ammo do you guys suggest? I purchased Winchester AA 7.5 in the heaviest OZ I could find for my 20ga O/U and have imp in the bottom and modified in the top.
 
For a 20 gauge, the standard 7/8 oz target load at 1200fps will break anything on a skeet field and a sporting course ( unless that is set tough for a NSCA tournament, then 85%). For skeet use the tighter choke for the going away bird and the IC for the incomers.
 
I am almost 6'3; depending on the gun and grip design, I can live with LOP ranging from 14-1/2 to 15-1/4. However, fit is a LOT more than just LOP; there is cast on or off, drop at comb, drop at heel, toe in or out, degree of pitch, etc., etc......all of these factors combine to make a gun fit like a glove or beat you to death.
 
While Gil's comments are good, not taking into account toe and pitch can lead to uncomfortable shooting; since each of us is built differently, ALL dimensions matter. Two folks may be the same basic size, shape and weight but need much different dimensions for a proper fit.
Some other factors to consider are the thickness of the comb itself, the radius of the grip, the thickness of the grip. My hands are wide but my fingers are not that longest; someone else with narrow hands and long fingers will want different dimensions for a more comfortable fit
 
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