New owner, mossberg 500 questions

[newguy07]

Hello, I recently purchased a mossberg 500 field deer combo 20 gaugeand I have a few questions. I havent shot through the rifled barrel yet but. First off what sabot slugs would people suggest for deer hunting? how far can one realistically take a deer with a 20 gauge riffled barreland sabot slugs? should I buy a scope or are the rifle sights that came with it good enough for as far as it will shoot? Finally, for cleaning and care of the gun, I usually just clean throughout the barrel with brush and cloths, wipe down the outside of the gun, and lubricate the rails/action, however the book talks about doing a dissasembly including taking the trigger off and what not. Do I need to take the trigger off and clean something.

 

[Oldnamvet]

With a new gun, it is always a good idea to do a full stripdown and cleaning to get out the left over debris from manufacturing. After that, depending on the use and abuse, I may not do a full clean more than once a year. A little CLP usually takes care of most things. Pay attention to the chamber though. Too many feel if the barrel is clean, the chamber must be also. Not necessarily.
As to needing a scope. It all depends on how good you are with the rifle sights. If you can put your shots into the right spot at the ranges you will be hunting at with open sights, you don't "need" the scope. But you may just want one, or a red dot sight.

 

[scout26]

The only way to find out which slugs your gun (actually your rifled barrel) prefers to but a bunch of as many kinds as you can and head out the range. Which every one groups best at the distances you expect to shot deer at (normally rifled barrels with slugs you're looking at upto 100 yards.) Mind you they normally shoot flatter then rifled slugs, but they are going to different POI at different ranges. So once you find the ones that have the tighest groups, shoot them at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yard so that you'll know where they hit at those ranges.

Advil, good recoil pad and thick clothes are also recommended when firing lots of slugs all in the same day. Don't ask me how I know.