For all the veteran shotgun folks, please help a n00b out.

[Chewie095]

New member here (obviously) and I have been lurking these boards for two weeks now.

It has recently come up at home that myself and my wife should invest in a firearm for home defense. I take this notion very seriously, so I am looking for all the advice I can get.

I have chosen to go with a 12g Mossberg 500 series (20" barrell, composite stock). When I was a kid I spent a lot of time shooting skeet with .410 and 20g shotguns with my dad and uncle. It has been years since I have shot. I have not owned a gun for 10 years now. Not a pacifist, just never really came up as a need (thankfully).

I want to make sure I am choosing the right firearm. I have liked Mossbergs since I was shooting and I think they look very intimidating. I also have a budget that the 500 fits in just right.

I plan on either #1 or 00 buck for defense. I will try a variety of rounds on the range though.

I am also interested in opinions on some of the better options for recoil reduction. This gun will get a good pattern treatment, and it will be taken to my local range as needed until I am comfortable with it, and my aim

All of your opinions, suggestions, and questions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dfariswheel]

You've made a great choice in the Mossberg.
It's a good buy for the money.

For recoil reduction there are two good, easy, INEXPENSIVE options.

First, is to buy one of the new "super" recoil pads.
These are made of some elastomer polymer that really cuts felt recoil.

Probably the best is sold by the Limbsaver company, and they make versions to fit virtually any gun. Some may need gunsmith fitting since if necessary you may need one sanded or ground to fit.
Remington use a Limbsaver made recoil pad on their heavy recoiling guns, including on their Police shotguns.
They call it the Remington "R3".
Remington says the Limbsaver/R3 reduces felt recoil by as much as 30%.

Users of the Limbsaver report that buckshot loads feel more like field loads.

Another good way to cut recoil AND make your home defense gun faster to use, is to buy "Reduced Recoil" shotgun shells.
These are being used by many police departments and home owners because while they're still VERY effective, they cut the actual recoil by as much as 40%.

There are two basic methods used to get recoil reduction in these loads.
The first, is by reducing the powder charge slightly but keeping the same number of pellets.
The second reduces the pellets by one in the 00 load.

While these loads are much less punishing, they are still quite effective, AND since the recoil is much less, it allows you to fire faster follow-up shots if needed.

There are a number of other methods of recoil reduction such as spring-loaded shock absorbing butt stocks, but all of these are much more expensive, and require alterations to the gun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Besides the excellent advice given by dfaris.....

The best aid to new shooters is expertise. Get some lessons, formally or informally, about plain shooting. Run some ammo through your shotgun (Mossbergs are good shotguns) and have fun.

Use light loads for starters, practice regularly.

How close are you to central MD?

 

[Chewie095]

Thanks to you both for your great advice! Like I mentioned before I did do skeet as a kid, but it has been so long since then.....

I am in the Waynesboro, VA area

I just went shooting last Saturday for the first time in 10 years. A friend took me and my wife to a local range and we had a blast with his Springfield 9mm, His AK-47 (knockoff) and 12 gauge (I think it was an older Winchester, I just can't remember). It was the first time my wife had ever shot, and she really enjoyed it.

I have researched the crap out of this because I do want a gun for home defense, as well as something I can take out and enjoy. That 12 guage I was firing kicked like a mule, so that is why I am interested in the recoil issues....

I hope to pick up the new toy this weekend (assuming it comes in) but may have to wait a few more days.

Now, I need to start saving old milk jugs......

 

[RNB65]

Mossberg's are good guns. Nothing wrong with that choice.

If you browse/search the older shotgun threads, you'll find a lot of debate over what shot size to use for home defense. I'm in the 00buck camp myself.

Practice, practice, practice. You and your wife should go to the range as often as you can and practice shooting at stationary targets. In the event of a real emergency, you want to be familiar with your weapon and not fumbling around trying to figure out if a round is chambered or if the safety is off.

In particular, practice pumping the action. Under duress, it's easy to short shuck a pump and jam it up tighter than a drum. Full stroke back, full stroke forward. Smooth is good...

The best recoil reduction is practice. As you gain experience with shooting, your body will learn how to absorb recoil naturally. A Limbsaver slip-on buttpad can help. Also, most of the ammo companies sell "reduced recoil" buckshot loads that are intended for short-range, self defense use.

 

[FXWG]

For a short barrelled shotguns...
http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0012785224733a.shtml

 

[skeeter1]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with a Mossberg 500, and they're priced reasonably. For recoil reduction, you might want to think about a slip-on recoil pad, something like this:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/48760-57506-2191.html

It doesn't cost much, and there are many different versions around to choose from. In the event you don't like it, you can just take it off. In the meanwhile you haven't altered your shotgun.

While you're out patterning, pick up a 5-pack of #4 buckshot. Those are my favorites.

 

[Chewie095]

I will be looking into a pad like that. I am wondering, some of the stocks out there (Knoxx in particular) really promise reduction. Money down the tubes, or do they actually perform?

Also, should I pattern with a large variety of shot types, or just one?


<Edit> Thanks Dave for writing up the patterning 101 article. That will help me out a lot!

 

[kellyj00]

The reduced recoil variants of shotgun ammo usually have less velocity.
The recoil from even a slug is manageable. I personally don't see enough of a difference in recoil to consider a reduced-recoil load.

Also, reduced-recoil are much harder to find in my area. Wally world doesn't stock them and the local gun shops seem to have about 5 rounds of reduced recoil remington buckshot on the shelf, and they're marked up quite a bit.