835's just plain out hurt!

[MolleMan]

So turkey season is upon us and i patterned in my Mossberg 835 and after 2, 3 1/2 in shells my shoulder was begging for mercy.

My question is would a pistol grip/thumhole stock impove recoil?

I have considered installing my Limb Saver pad on it but probally wouldn't help much.

and last would a Red Dot help in rolling that big bird?

 

[jmr40]

Just forget about the 3.5" shells. 3" shells kill turkeys just as dead and don't have elephant gun recoil

 

[roadchoad]

Hold tight to the shoulder and wear layers. Other than that ^^^ what he said. My 835 kicks my butt too.

What load were you using? I found 3" 2oz magnums the worst. The 3.5"s I shot were all steel though, 1 9/16oz.

 

[chas08]

My question is would a pistol grip/thumhole stock impove recoil?

Probably not, the only thing that will make that recoil less noticable is a Turkey.

 

[lobo9er]

were you shooting from a bench? Sighting in at a range on a bench with a shotgun isn't the most comfortable.

 

[oneounceload]

The pistol grip will send more of the recoil to your slender wrist as opposed to your broader shoulder, inducing even more pain

 

[Smitty in CT]

I have a 535, it's 3/4 to a pound lighter than the 835....

Be thankful.... my 535 has taught me that nobody on this planet NEEDS to shoot 3-1/2" shells... They don't produce as good a pattern (for me anyway) and they just hurt too much!!

If you think you need to take a 60 or 70 yard shot at a turkey, then you're not calling them in close enough or you're moving too much and they've spotted you... Just remember, our Grampa's were killing birds with 2-3/4" (and shorter) shells and NO CAMO long before we were even in diapers...

IMO, (especially with the newer technology in shot) there is no reason for the 3-1/2" shell, if you need to put that much lead down range, opt for a 10GA...

As far as your 835, make sure 2-3/4" shells don't kick too bad or give any cheek slap, you may need to add the spacers to add drop at comb, a poorly fitted shotgun will have more perceived recoil than one that fits.... A limbsaver is also a good idea, another would be to fill a baggie with lead shot and put it in the cavity of the butstock (more weight, less recoil)...

 

[foghornl]

The Limb Saver and Kick-Eeze are two of the nicest recoil pads out there. Have you had you 835 "fitted" to you? Length of pull, drop at heel/comb, etc

 

[MolleMan]

no I haven't had it fitted to me. i'll probally install the limb saver.

everyone says you don't feel a thing when you pull that trigger on a big tom.

 

[husker]

They just kick hard. A weekend of hunting snow geese = 80 to 120 shots. My arm is bruised bad by Monday. I have the threw hole stock. It dont help me. Im 6-1 & 215, Im not a small man.
My 835. Is a turkey shotgun with the accu mag X factor choke. I pull it out & put in a mod choke for goose hunting. Still kicks the hell out of me.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I've had one ever since they first came out. 3.5" don't bother me out in the field....I wouldn't want to go skeet shooting with them, though.

 

[husker]

Mine had probs ejecting 3-1/2 this last time out. anyone ever have this prob?
Many a snow goose got away do to 1 & DONE

 

[roadchoad]

Husker, it has a pretty long stroke, maybe in the heat of the action you short-chucked it? It's easy to get into bad habits when using shorter shells for practice.

I tend to ram that sucker back like I'm driving a fencepole, and ram it back home the same way. Sure, parts will wear quicker, but does that matter when the birds are turned around?

 

[dirtykid]

I put one of Blackhawk's re-coil reducing stock on my 835 just for this exact reason, the 3.5" #4 turkey-loads were too much to handle shooting more than a few shells at a time,, it worked AWESOME until i noticed it had been molded a lil out of spec and part of the stock "touched' the plastic trigger-guard assembly causing it to crack.. I put the factory stock on and tried some 3" turkey-loads and found them to have a better pattern anyway !!

 

[tactikel]

I added a limbsaver to my 835, it helps a little. after a 15 round patterning session I ordered a Blackhawk Knoxx stock. I hope it works as advertised.
I used a folded up towel stuffed in my coat at the range and fired the last 10 rounds in relative comfort, in the field I really dont feel the recoil, but dont want to risk flinching. Steel shot a geese it no problem at all. The shells at or under 2 oz. really arent bad but the 2.25 oz shells really do hurt.