Mossberg 500 Field 12ga

[birdshooter1]

Guys, I've opted for a Mossberg 500 over a Rem 870 Express as the latter ones were out of stock at all Walmarts in Virginia Beach. Also the M500 comes with chokes at Walmart while the 870 doesn't. Could you tell me if it's a good decision, mostly for deer and turkey.
Which choke to use for SLUGS for deer?
What barrel (smooth bore) to get for deer and turkey, 26" or 28"?
Is the M500 a good buy compared to the 870express?
How much is the M500 going around for currently? ($$$)
Which slugs to get (max accuracy for hunting, low recoil, preferably cost-efficient)?
Also is there any place in Va beach where I can shoot skeet/trap?

[ShotgunBlast]

I paid $300 for my M500 Persuader 8 shot a few months ago. I also looked at the Rem 870. It's a flip of the coin; you'd be happy with either. My wife likes the safety location on the M500 with the standard stock. If you used a pistol grip the Rem 870 safety location would be easier to get to. Also my M500 already has a spot to easily add a scope whereas with the Rem 870 you'd have to fabricate that yourself or have a gunsmith do it (at least with the 870s I saw).

Couldn't answer any of your hunting related questions as I don't hunt.

[grumpyMSG]

Guys, I've opted for a Mossberg 500 over a Rem 870 Express as the latter ones were out of stock at all Walmarts in Virginia Beach. Also the M500 comes with chokes at Walmart while the 870 doesn't. Could you tell me if it's a good decision, mostly for deer and turkey.
Which choke to use for SLUGS for deer?
What barrel (smooth bore) to get for deer and turkey, 26" or 28"?
Is the M500 a good buy compared to the 870express?
How much is the M500 going around for currently? ($$$)
Which slugs to get (max accuracy for hunting, low recoil, preferably cost-efficient)?
Also is there any place in Va beach where I can shoot skeet/trap?

It is just like the Ford VS Chevy argument, both are very capable shotguns and will last for years. If you are looking at the durability argument, most police departments go with 870s while most of the U.S. Military rely on the Mossberg 500 family for their pump-guns.
For slugs it would be best to go with a rifled slug barrel versus changing the choke. they usually come with a rail mount that you can attack a scope to or rifle type sights. As for which slugs or ammunition to use, you have to try several different brands to find which ones work the best with your particular shotgun. Your 500 might prefer Winchester slugs while my virtually identical 500 might prefer Remington. The same applies for buckshot and bird shot.
As for which barrel to go with 26 or 28, thats another personal preference. If you haven't bought yet, you may want to look into buying the 500 field/deer combo that comes with a slug barrel and a ventilated rib barrel. Mossberg's website lists the 500's prices, but you can usually find them for less than list: http://www.mossberg.com/products/defaul ... play=specs

[birdshooter1]

Thanks for the swift reply, looking forward to more.

[Jamie]

I paid $250 for my used M500 with 28" barrel. IMO, the 28" barrel is only of use for duck hunting with really shy ducks, but then I'm not much of a hunter (yet). I'd go with shorter just for maneuvering in the woods.

From what I've read, the rifled slug barrel is the way to go if you can afford it. Otherwise, use the full cylinder for the slugs (i.e., exactly the same shape as the barrel). Bad things happen otherwise.

I've only ever shot through mine were Winchester's rifled slugs, and they seemed to have decent accuracy. I tried some glaser-type (whatever the name is -- the things that disintegrate and the air marshals use on airplanes) slugs a few times with someone else's pump gun and accuracy was horrible. Not to mention that the deer might laugh at you.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I paid $250 for my used M500 with 28" barrel. IMO, the 28" barrel is only of use for duck hunting with really shy ducks, but then I'm not much of a hunter (yet). I'd go with shorter just for maneuvering in the woods.

From what I've read, the rifled slug barrel is the way to go if you can afford it. Otherwise, use the full cylinder for the slugs (i.e., exactly the same shape as the barrel). Bad things happen otherwise.

I've only ever shot through mine were Winchester's rifled slugs, and they seemed to have decent accuracy. I tried some glaser-type (whatever the name is -- the things that disintegrate and the air marshals use on airplanes) slugs a few times with someone else's pump gun and accuracy was horrible. Not to mention that the deer might laugh at you.

You can shoot regular lead slugs in a choked gun. If you plan on using it just for slugs then go ahead and get a slug barrel but understand that you can't shoot buck and birdshot out of it. Great thing about a shot gun you can just can out barrels to whatever you need. Slug barrel, open 18 home defense barrel, full chock trap shooting. Very versatile.

Mossberg vs Remingtion. Both great guns can't go wrong with either.

[bryanrheem]

Sometimes, what is in stock is what drives your final decision! I agree with all the other posts that you can't really go wrong with either. There are differences in the safety location, etc, but a pump shotgun is pretty much the same through and through. I love the ability to swap barrels easily. I think you want to look for features on the different barrels. What distance will you be engaging the deer or turkey? Do you need rifle sights or a scope? I would think so instead of a bead dot or vent rib.

I personally don't think the 2" on a 28" give you that much more accuracy or distance.

[HighExpert]

I have a Maverick 88 which is basically a cheaper version of what you have. I purchased a rifled slug barrel to shoot the saboted slugs (300gr at 1500fps). I shoot Hornady slugs. I got the 28" field barrel with an extra full choke for turkey, a full for ducks and a modified for pheasants. If you shoot a smooth bore barrel I had no problem shooting buckhammers out of the modified choke although the improved cylinder would work as well or better. Buckhammers are no where near as accurate and kick like a mule, or course they are 3"mag pushing 405gr at 1400fps. I think you will be happy with your purchase. BTW I paid $150 at Walmart for my Maverick 6years ago.

[gunderwood]

It's a flip of the coin; you'd be happy with either. My wife likes the safety location on the M500 with the standard stock. If you used a pistol grip the Rem 870 safety location would be easier to get to.

+1

Both are very good shotguns. I prefer the Mossberg because of the safety location as well.

[jasonallen127]

My M500 Field was my first gun purchase, nearly 10 years ago. I love it!

For skeet shooting I use the 28" barrel w/ full choke, and it dusts clays. For home defense, Federal XM127 00 buckshot patterns very tight out of the 18" cylinder-choke barrel at 10 yards. For hunting, the 28" barrel does very well with slugs out to 50 yards in my experience.

Enjoy!