Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hello there. I am looking at getting my first 12 gauge this upcoming weekend. The one I am looking at purchasing is the Mossberg 500 Field/deer combo which comes with a 28" vented port barrel and a 24" rifled barrel for slugs. Also comes with 3 chokes (Full, modified and improved cylinder). I am wondering which choke would be best for "all-around" hunting. I will be using slugs on the deer; however during those times when rabbit/small game and deer seasons are in at the same time; I want to be able to use both #6 or #7 1/2 shot for rabbits and 00 buck on the deer. Which choke should I use in the 28" barrel that would make my shots the most effective while using both sizes of shot?? Also; pertaining to Virginia State hunting laws, there will be times that I may want to take the bow out and do a little archery during the firearms season as well. Is it legal to have a bow with you as well as a .22 rifle if I want to shoot some small game?? I am fairly new to this area and still trying to get used to the regulations of this state.... Also; Max. capacity allowed. I know in Jersey; you could have no more than 3 shells in the mag at any given time. Any regulations on rifles?? I have a Mossberg 702 that has a 10 rd magazine....

Rabbit are usually moving and closer - modified choke

Squirrels can be farther off and not moving as fast - full choke

However, the best thing to do is not to rely on the choke being absolute. You shotgun will most likely shoot different patterns with different brands/different sizes of shot.

Pattern different brands/shot sizes at the same distance and measure the shot/pellet holes in the same sized circle and you'll see it yourself.

Ain't no such thing as a "best choke for all-round hunting". That's why they put interchangeable choke tubes in them.

Diggs27 wrote:H Which choke should I use in the 28" barrel that would make my shots the most effective while using both sizes of shot??

After you patern your gun, you'll have the answer. Until then its just a wild guess.

If you REALLY must have an answer... Full choke. It puts the most pellets on target. But then its hard to hit with, so perhaps its not the most effective.

Then you just shift your point of aim to catch him with the edge of the shot cloud, little bit tricky when wingshooting.

The previous posts about patterning are great, but can you not carry alternate chokes with your alternate shells? An alternative to that is the Poly-Choke: http://www.poly-choke.com/choke.htm

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They have a Poly-Choke II that will fit to that Mossberg.

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Thank you all for the replies.... Picked up the gun earlier today. Ended up finding one with a black synthetic stock. Walked out of the gun shop with the Mossy 500 combo (with scope), a 100 rd "brick" of Winchester Super X shells, and 2 5rd boxes of federal Ammo Slugs. The gentleman at the gun store even threw in one of those neoprene "sock" things that slides over the stock and holds 5 extra shells. Total bill came out to just under 375 for everything.... Now to the follow up questions... Max # of shells allowed in Mag?? Any restrictions on # of rounds in the Mag for a 22?? Is it legal to carry both a 22 as well as a bow for those times I want to go bow hunting during firearms season?? As I stated in my orginal post, this is the first time I have hunted here in VA, and just want to make sure I am not breaking any laws. I have looked in the state's regulation booklet; and was not able to find this info; so wondering if any of you guys on here could assist me with this.

Diggs27 wrote:. Max # of shells allowed in Mag??

depends on what you are hunting

Any restrictions on # of rounds in the Mag for a 22??

no

Is it legal to carry both a 22 as well as a bow for those times I want to go bow hunting during firearms season??

if the seaon(s) that are open alow it, then yet.

if you told us EXACTLY what game animal, and WHAT county you might get better answers. Va's rules change quite a bit from area to area.

Will be hunting primarily in Highland County, but may take a ride to the WMA in Bath County from time to time... just to add a little "variety", lol. Was thinking about maybe taking the bow out during the firearms deer season maybe a day or 2; and was wondering if I could take the 22 to use on squirrels and rabbits if the deer happen not to be "running" on those days. How many shells are allowed in mag deer hunting with slugs?? how about using #6 shot on small game... Hopefully this help clarify things a little.

Diggs27 wrote: was wondering if I could take the 22 to use on squirrels and rabbits if the deer happen not to be "running" on those days.

Yes.

How many shells are allowed in mag deer hunting with slugs??

as many as you care to cary.

how about using #6 shot on small game...

fine.

Hopefully this help clarify things a little.

yep much easier to answer

so; the Mossberg I picked up holds 4 +1.... it is legal to carry the gun through the woods with the maximum amount of shells loaded in the mag?? Like I said; up in NJ where I am originally from; their hunting laws restrict any more than 3 shells to be loaded at any time; no matter what game you are going after....

Diggs27 wrote:so; the Mossberg I picked up holds 4 +1.... it is legal to carry the gun through the woods with the maximum amount of shells loaded in the mag?? Like I said; up in NJ where I am originally from; their hunting laws restrict any more than 3 shells to be loaded at any time; no matter what game you are going after....

welcome to the land of the free(er).

NO NO NO not ANY game. you have to read the regulations. The 3 round limit shows up on federally managed migratory game birds.

If you had to pick one consider Modified, tight enough for long shots but still able to take birds, squirrel, fast game. And can still launch a Rifled slug fairly well, though not as good as IC. Multiple chokes are good, until you have a fixed one, in which case you learn to adapt pretty quickly cause the gun ain't changing any.

I really guess I don't understand your question. You know, changing choke tubes is no big deal. Just put in the one you think you are most likely to need, drop a tighter one and a looser one in your pocket, and if circumstances change, change the choke tube. Takes all of 2-3 minutes.

And to paraphrase former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, the choke you shoot is the choke you've got when you get the shot. If you missed, you probably did it fair and square and it wasn't because of the wrong choke. That's why they call it hunting instead of killing.