A few questions from a novice

[JonathanD25]

I don't hunt and I realize I don't know a lot about guns, but I'm learning. I have a home defense Mossberg 500 and wanted to shoot a few slugs at the range just for the heck of it. It of course has a 20 inch barrel with a cylinder bore.

So

1) I would shoot rifled slugs right? or is there another kind I can shoot as well? I at least know not to shoot sabot slugs.

2) I bought a pack of 5 rifled slugs cause I think that's what I can shoot. I cut one open and it doesn't quite fit down the back end of the barrel. I've read something about slugs expanding, so does it kind of expand and then close back up at the end? It's not going to hurt my gun is it?

3) Is there a difference between a 3 inch and a 3 inch magnum shell or are they all magnums? My gun says 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells. I don't want to shoot the wrong shell

Thanks to anyone who replies. I don't want to do anything stupid and blow myself up so I figured I'd ask these.

 

[Starter52]

You can safely shoot the old style "pumpkinball" slugs. They usually run about $3 for a box of 5 this time of year.

You'll find the 2 3/4" slug kicks quite well enough, thank you, from your lightweight Mossberg 500. I would stay away from the 3" magnums.

 

[revjen45]

Sabot slugs should go thru a cyl bore safely, but from what I have heard require a rifled bbl for accuracy. The hourglass shaped BRIs worked OK in my cyl bore auto 15-20 years ago.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Slugs are fine in that gun. I dont know about your expansion question, but if the gun is a 12ga and the chamber is 3" you should be fine and the shell is 12ga and 3" or 2.75" you will be fine.

Oh, and I believe a 3" is a 3".....there is no difference that I am aware of.