Potential Shotgun Newbie

[DanTheFarmer]

Good Evening All,

I'm thinking of getting into the world of shotguns. I borrowed a Remington 1100 for the spring turkey hunt but I didn't see a thing (heard plenty around me and I watch them walk through my blueberry bushes most evening now) so I didn't fire a shot. I'm considering getting my own shotgun for the Fall turkey season.

I've handled several brands in a local, big, gun store and I think I like the layout of a Mossberg 500 best. I know it is one of the classic "starter" or "value leader" type of shotguns and my finances dictate nothing too fancy.

My intended use is turkey with birdshot, and later deer hunting with slugs. My town allows rifles for deer but several of the neighboring towns are shotgun only. Ranges will be short (50 yards is highly likely).

Several questions:
I'm leaning toward 20 gauge for the lesser recoil but if there is a good reason for 12 I'm persuadable. So, 20 or 12 gauge?
I'm leaning toward the Mossy 500 but is there another choice I should be considering?
Cabela's is running a special for a Mossy 500 with a walnut stock vs. the more common "walnut stained hardwood". What kind of stock do you recommend, walnut, "walnut stained hardwood", or synthetic? Is the "walnut stained hardwood" o.k. or is it cheesy?
I want to be sure I understand slugs. Mossberg sells rifled slug barrels. If that is the way to go then I use sabote slugs, correct? The Foster or Brenneke slugs are for smooth barreled slug barrels, correct?

Thanks for any and all input.

Dan

 

[rule303]

You seem to have all the bases covered, kudos for doing a little research before buying. As far as 12 vs 20, the 12 will have more ammo options readily available, and has some advantage with heavy loads for turkeys and waterfowl. The 20ga will be a little lighter to carry, and is certainly capable of harvesting turkey and deer. The 12 may actually recoil less than the 20, depending on the load. A 1oz 12 ga load at 1300fps in an 7lb gun is going to kick less than the same payload in a 6lb 20ga. I would prefer a walnut stock, purely for aesthetics. The hardwood stocks have the stain in the finish, and the scratches really show.

 

[LeonCarr]

What 303 said, and I would add that if used as a dedicated turkey gun, I would pick one of the factory camo models to reduce glare as much as possible...turkey are smart birds with good eyesight.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Armored farmer]

I much prefer the 12ga for turkey and deer, and the 12ga is also the standard for most clay games that you will want to try.

I personally don't care for the safety mounted on top of the receiver. It is too easy to click off when carrying afield. I like the trigger guard mounted safeties myself (Remington, Winchester, others).....just my $.02.

 

[Jlr2267]

12 GA will be more versatile, but a 20 will get it done. The Mossberg 500 is a good choice for a first shotgun. You might want a turkey choke, depending on how your full choke patterns. The rifled barrels add some accuracy for deer, but you can also shoot rifled slugs out of the smooth bore field barrel and get decent accuracy.

 

[oneounceload]

Mossberg sells rifled slug barrels. If that is the way to go then I use sabote slugs, correct? The Foster or Brenneke slugs are for smooth barreled slug barrels, correct?

Correct.
I'll add my +whatever to the comments above about getting the 12 over the 20. Remington makes a good gun; you also might want to look into a good condition used gas gun like the 1100 you tried. It's heavier to absorb more recoil, and the gas action spreads the recoil pulse over a longer time frame so the perceived effect is also a little less - nice when you are shooting heavy turkey and deer loads

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Hi All,

Thanks for the information. I went ahead and purchased a Mossberg 500 in 20 gauge. I'll keep you posted as to how it works out for me.

Dan

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Update:

I went to the range today with my new shotgun and had a BLAST! Or maybe it is more of a BOOM! Whatever it is is distinctly different from centerfire rifles.

So I think these were my first shotgun shots ever. I may have fired a friend's 410 as a 12 year old but that was a long time ago. I was impressed and had fun. I was surprised how much a difference the load weight made on the felt recoil. I started off with a 1 oz. Game Load and the recoil was quite light. Kind of a Boom, good push to the shoulder, shotgun moving in the hand a bit. The 3" magnum 1 5/16 oz. Turkey Load I tried was a different matter, Boom, strong push on shoulder, glasses smooshed to side of face by recoil. It wasn't a problem, just a lot different.

Anyway I've got a variety of shells and slugs to try to see which the new shotgun likes best. I'll have to get a big roll newspaper print or some other wide paper to make more patterning targets.

Dan

 

[oneounceload]

Big box home stores sell rolls of brown kraft paper for construction use. Nice size to do pattern testing

 

[ErictheRed]

"Big box home stores sell rolls of brown kraft paper for construction use. Nice size to do pattern testing"

That's a good idea thanks.

 

[frankenstein406]

A mossberg 835 would be a better choice over the 500, it will take up to 3.5 inch shells and its bored out like a ten gauge. you can't shoot slugs out of the ported barrel but you would be better off getting a separate rifled one.