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Mossberg Model 500 Question
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mgkdrgn
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I have an older (20 years) Mossberg 500 12ga Sportsman model that I recently updated for HD with a Mossberg 18.5in barrel. Will this arrangement allow me to shoot 3in magnum 00 buck loads safely?
TIA
If:
1) The gun was able to handle 3" mags prior to the changes you made
2) If the barrel you put on can handle 3" mags
you are good to go.
However, you don't really need (or want because of the recoil?) 3" mags for HD use. Reduced recoil 2.75's will spat the BG just as well at SD ranges.
The barrel should have a length listed, it might say
3" Mod
or
2 3/4" Full
or even
3 1/2" Magnum IC
It will list the shell size, and the choke. Just about all modern barrels will handle a magnum load, but check the papers that came with it anyway. The big question is whether the receiver was a magnum model, since it's older. If you call Mossberg with the serial number, they should be able to tell you what it's rated for.
Truth be told, though, unless you're going turkey hunting (which most do not use an 18.5" barrel for), I'd be hard pressed to find a reason to use magnum shells. My 500 is Magnum rated, 3" chamber, but I've never had occasion to need one. 2 3/4" reduced-recoil 00 buckshot will kill an ox if it's inside my house.
Don't worry, even if the receiver's not magnum, you're not depriving yourself of anything.
3" Mod
or
2 3/4" Full
or even
3 1/2" Magnum IC
It will list the shell size, and the choke. Just about all modern barrels will handle a magnum load, but check the papers that came with it anyway. The big question is whether the receiver was a magnum model, since it's older. If you call Mossberg with the serial number, they should be able to tell you what it's rated for.
Truth be told, though, unless you're going turkey hunting (which most do not use an 18.5" barrel for), I'd be hard pressed to find a reason to use magnum shells. My 500 is Magnum rated, 3" chamber, but I've never had occasion to need one. 2 3/4" reduced-recoil 00 buckshot will kill an ox if it's inside my house.
Don't worry, even if the receiver's not magnum, you're not depriving yourself of anything.
I received this answer from Havlin Sales/Mossberg Collectors about similar questions on my early (1962 or so) Mossberg 500:
The receiver will handle a 3" shell if a new barrel that
is chambered for same is installed.
The old barrel only handles 2-3/4" lead shot unless it has
a duck's head stamped near the tang - this is how Mossberg
indicated that the barrel would handle steel shot back
then. Since the newer non-toxic shots were not invented
back then, we use that as the std - if it takes steel, it
will take bismuth, etc. I would not use your original
barrel for anything but 2-3/4" lead field or hunting loads
The receiver will handle a 3" shell if a new barrel that
is chambered for same is installed.
The old barrel only handles 2-3/4" lead shot unless it has
a duck's head stamped near the tang - this is how Mossberg
indicated that the barrel would handle steel shot back
then. Since the newer non-toxic shots were not invented
back then, we use that as the std - if it takes steel, it
will take bismuth, etc. I would not use your original
barrel for anything but 2-3/4" lead field or hunting loads
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