MOSSBERG 500-vs-835

salzo

I use a Mossberg 500 for turkey hunting. Ive been using it for 6 years.I use 2 3/4 magnum fives, and have been very happy with the pattern out to 30 yards. I have tried 3 inch shells, and the pattern is no where near as good as the smaller shells.
This past turkey season, I had a gobbler hang for about a half hour 45 yards away. I did not feel confident with that shot, and waited for the bird to get in 35 yards-never happend.
Its the first time I wished I had a gun that reached out a little bit farther.
How does the 835 stack up against the 500? I know that it accepts 3 1/2 inch shells, but it was my experience with the 500, that the larger(3inch) shell was not as good as the smaller(2 3/4) shell.
Does the 835 pattern better than the 500 past 35 yards?
I used to hunt in the woods exclusively, where a gun that patterns out to 35 yards was more than adequate. Now I am able to hunt fields, where shots out to 60 yards is possible.
Will the 835 give me more distance?
If so, how much farther will it give me than the 500?

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n4thethrill

i know you are looking at 12's I had the same proablem using a remington 1100 3"mag patterned really but old tom hung up one to many times so i bought me a browning 10 guage bps they are around 5 bills so are not hard on the budget just some food for thought

ps. i shot a tom with 14 1/2 inch beard 2 1/2 inch spurs at 51 steps this year i also have a bushnell holo sight on it

you can be king or street sweeper but everyone is going to dance with the reaper

hartlyde

THE 835 WILL PROBABLY GIVE YOU THE DISTANCE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE EXTRA FULL CHOKE ON THE GUN. EVEN THOUGH THE GUN USES OR CAN USE 31/2 INCH SHELLS SHOOT 23/4 OR 3IN TO SEE WHAT PATTERNS THE BEST. I THINK THE CHOKE IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT.

varmit hunter

I have a MAD MAX choke on my 835.With 3"#5 It will put 33 pellets in a turkey target at 40 yrds.Have taken turkeys and coyotes at 50 yrds.

I admire you for passing a shot,That you were not confident with.

The most important things, Are not things.

Big Sky Redneck

The 3/12" shells give you more shot, that is what helps on those long shots. I have never done it but I used to work with a fella who bragged about shooting turkeys at 75 yds with his, he has the 28" barrel with the extra full turkey choke. I use the shorter one 24"? I think, heck I don't know how long the barrel is my own stinking shotgun! I have shot birds as far away as 45 yds but heave not tried any further, given the performance at 45, I would not be afraid to try farther.

AntiqueDr

The old saw about longer shotgun barrels giving more velocity and/or better patterns no longer applies. That dates from the black powder days. With today's propellants you are getting full velocity out of a 24" barrel, certainly. The longer barrels still have the advantage in wingshooting, however. I sell more Xtrema's in 24" than any other length.

We've modified several Mossberg barrels for some local card shooters. Lengthening the forcing cone and polishing the bore goes a long way. Plus, use one of the longer choke tubes. Seems the more gradual choke causes less disruption of the column.



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