Ok you gunner gurus

[Grandpa Shooter]

I have a Mossberg 500 pump with 18 1/2" barrel coming later in the week. Just went to a Sportsman's Warehouse and checked out 12 ga. shells.

I know next to nothing about what is a "good" plinking/practice round for 12 ga. I looked the stock over and picked up the following for $8.99 a box of 25. I was looking to find something which would be easier on my shoulder.

How did I do with these: Winchester AA Low recoil, Low noise target load 2 3/4" MIN DR. EQ. 26 gram 8 shot. and

Winchester AA Lite Handicap Target Load 12 ga 2 3/4" 1290FPS 1 oz 8 shot.

Enlighten me please, you won't hurt my feelings by helping me out.

 

[EHCRain10]

Those rounds will work just fine for practice,
im going to assume that your gun is going to be used for HD because of the short barrel, in which case you should have some rounds with buckshot handy for when the gun will be used for HD
you should also pattern the gun with the buckshot at HD distances to know how it will spread from your gun

enjoy the new gun!

 

[Charles Foxtrot]

.
Hey Gramps, welcome to the cult of the Mossy.

As you found, the Featherlites are expensive. I'd go to Wally*Mart and buy the value pack Field loads. They are significantly cheaper. However, they'll kick a bit more. You might also look into a good recoil absorbing butt pad or shoulder pad, like the Limbsaver: http://www.limbsaver.com/Products/Firearms/Prec.aspxhttp://.

You can also order dummy practice rounds from Dillon. Great practice.

Enjoy!

P.S.: Furthest thing from a gun guru

 

[PJR]

They are a little pricey for plinking loads. Federal makes a low recoil load in their Top Gun line. It is 1-1/8 ounce, 7.5 around 900 fps. It will be less expensive than the AA Low Noice, Low Recoil.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

The Wal Mart's around here are all going PC and have next to nothing related to actual guns other than cleaning patches, slings and swivels and el cheapo scopes. Only one near me (42 miles away) has any actual guns.

Next time I am at the only true general store up here in the mountains (90 miles away) I will check their stock.

Are there any less expensive suppliers other than on line? By the time I pay shipping/handling and extra oats for the mule team up the mountains, my buying advantage is "all eaten up", so to speak

 

[3pairs12]

I shoot the AA lite handicap loads a lot more than anything else. They still stretch out there with out all the shoulder pain at the end of the day, but I bet you can save a dollar a box if you looked around.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

I shoot cheap Winchester/Federal/Remington 1 & 1/8 ounce 7,7.5,8 shot shells and pay about $5 per 25.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

I shoot cheap Winchester/Federal/Remington 1 & 1/8 ounce 7,7.5,8 shot shells and pay about $5 per 25

I'm not going to drive to Texas for ammo. Last time I was in Texas, I drove from Beaumont to San Angelo, the day before Christmas, and from San Angelo to El Paso on Christmas Day. I was in Carlsbad NM the next day and got drunker than a skunk on Olympia just to celebrate getting out of Texas!

Just kidding! No I really did tie one on, just wasn't because of leaving Texas.

 

[oneounceload]

for casual practice, Remington has their Gun Club loads at 2-3/4 dram equivalent, which is lighter target type load when compared to the wally world 4 packs. I can find them at Dick's reasonably priced. AA's are great targets shells, they can just get expensive

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

San Angelo to El Paso? Pfft, try Houston to El Paso in one day, three times... However you do get my sympathies for driving on Christmas.

Honestly though, you should be able to find gun club style loads for no more than $6-7 a box.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

I checked Midway and they are $2 a box higher, before S/H and oats for the mules.

Gun club style loads? Where would a guy 150 miles from the big city find such an animal?

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Gun club style is just a term I've seen tossed around that mean a lighter load, like a 1 ounce 12 ga at moderate velocities in 8 shot usually. I think Remington has a shell called "Gun Club" that is exactly that.

I think either of the loads you mentioned in you first post would suit what you want just fine, but its crazy they both cost that much!

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

Isn't "crazy" and "gun related" the same thing. If you ask me, anything related to the shooting sports has gone "crazy!"

Hey, thanks for your help. If the 12ga doesn't beat me to death, I may have to look into reloading for it. That oughta kill the kitty.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Absolutely, I can hardly afford to shoot my centerfires even with reloading!

I don't know how much you can save with 12 ga since they use so much darn lead, although it wont take much time to recoup the equipment cost since shot shell loaders are pretty cheap.

 

[Shortdog22]

AmmoDirect.com

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

So far Able Ammo is coming up the winner for prices. I did not order any so I can't say how reasonable their shipping is. Depends on how many mules they put on the wagons I guess.

 

[RP88]

I buy federal 100-rd bulks for about 20 bucks. Make sure to try handling some 00 shells, too. They kick a bit harder and can stick a little compared to lower shotshells, so you want to break your shotty in with what you'll be using for HD and all so you have a handle on how it will operate.

you should love the 500. Great gun.

 

[machinisttx]

Hey, thanks for your help. If the 12ga doesn't beat me to death, I may have to look into reloading for it. That oughta kill the kitty

It's cheaper to buy the promotional loads, and even some of the higher priced loads, now than it is to reload. I figured up what it would cost to load a box a while back and it was around $8-$9. Prices may differ in your area, but shot is around $55 a bag here now.

 

[oneounceload]

If you reload 3/4 or 7/8 ounce loads, you can make your lead stretch further AND not beat your shoulder to death. The key to reloading to save money is buying everything in bulk - but if you don't shoot a lot, it doesn't pay for itself, especially when you factor in the equipment

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

Other than military or police applications, shotguns are relatively knew to me. I have a fair supply of rifles and pistols but never really got into shotguns. Looked at a Mossberg pump in .410 yesterday. A bantam. Really nice feel and balance to it. One of those things you don't really "need" but shore would like to have.

 

[ScottyT]

WalMart here has Remington(I think) "Multi-purpose loads" for $20.99/100. That is what I shoot clays (and rabbits) with. Sometimes (a couple times a year) I will see other stores with sales on target loads for as low as $3/25, If you ever see that, stock up!

 

[472x1A/B]

G.S. Whichever brand of shells you decide to go with, make sure you pick up your empties. Somebody somewhere will buy them from you someday, if you decide not to ever reload. The last time I price'ed once fired were going for .05 -.07 each, depending on brand.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

When I go out I pick up every one's empty cases. I use all the brass and store all the rest. I am one of those guys who takes a trailer out with me once a month and picks up all the crap the other slobs leave behind. Can't stand people like that.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

Went to Wal Mart today to look for shotgun shells. They had 100 count value packs for $20.23. The regular stuff was $7.57 per 25. I picked up 2 value packs, and of course now that I am home (50 miles away) I'm wondering if I should have gotten more at that price.:banghead:

 

[jakemccoy]

The last time I bought shells (about 6 months ago), I paid about $4.25 per 25 shells. I got a bulk mixture of Remington and some other stuff. I won't be paying $8.99 for shells, unless that's the price 10 years from now. I'll have to pass and keep the ammo I have for self-defense and rare clay shooting.