Hunting Shotgun Help (Mossberg 500 or Remington 870)

[phs2dent]

I'm looking to get back into deer hunting, but MA requires that you use a shotgun. I'm in the process of researching online, but I'd like to hear what y'all have to say. My budget is approximately $300 - $500.

I'm looking at the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870, most likely I'll get a combo kit with two barrels. I'm thinking to get a vented/smooth 28" barrel (might look into bird hunting) and one for deer.

I've heard a couple of different things, but I'm not sure as to fact. The general consensus is both are good.
- Rifled barrel gives additional accuracy, but requires more expensive plastic coated slugs.
- Buckshot will cause additional wear and tear to a rifled barrel
- Remington's have finish problems (express version?)
- Remington action is better

What do y'all use when hunting? Smooth bore or rifled? Buckshot or slugs?

[avander123]

I use a Rem-870, rifled barrel w/slugs. I have had no problems. Action is great as well as the accuracy. Good luck and Happy Hunting.

[phs2dent]

I use a Rem-870, rifled barrel w/slugs. I have had no problems. Action is great as well as the accuracy. Good luck and Happy Hunting.

Do you use lead slugs or sabots?

[01bmf]

I have been using the Mossberg 535 field combo. It came with the rifled barrel, the vent rib, and 3 chokes. Can be found here: http://www.basspro.com/Mossberg-535-...18113/-1172279

I have been very pleased as it is good for several different hunts and pretty cheap for all you are getting. The slugs for the rifled barrel are a touch more expensive, but it's not like you are using them for plinking. They are accurate. Don't use buckshot in the rifled barrel, use it in the other one that comes with the combo. People bicker back and forth between the Remmy and the Mossberg all the time. I have used both extensively and can say that they are pretty much equal. They both have their plusses and negatives. When it comes down to it, the Mossberg is the better value. You are gettimg more for your money and it is every bit as capable as the Remington.

[kjm1022]

Personally I think Remington is a better quality gun in terms of feel. I've shucked a Mossy a few times and have held my buddies, they just feel sloppy to me. You can pick up a used Remington 870 for under $300 but the new ones with the combo barrel for around $440 are a great deal. If you are bird hunting and doing the deer shotgun season, I'd recommend the 20ga. It has better slug accuracy than the 12ga and is lighter to lug around for pheasant in the field. Spend the extra $$ on the sabots, in a rifled barrel they are as close as you will get to a rifle in terms of accuracy. I've never used buckshot, probably never will, seems less ethical and far less accurate. Just my .02, others may feel different.

[HorizontalHunter]

I'm looking to get back into deer hunting, but MA requires that you use a shotgun. I'm in the process of researching online, but I'd like to hear what y'all have to say. My budget is approximately $300 - $500.

I'm looking at the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870, most likely I'll get a combo kit with two barrels. I'm thinking to get a vented/smooth 28" barrel (might look into bird hunting) and one for deer.

I've heard a couple of different things, but I'm not sure as to fact. The general consensus is both are good.
- Rifled barrel gives additional accuracy, but requires more expensive plastic coated slugs.
- Buckshot will cause additional wear and tear to a rifled barrel
- Remington's have finish problems (express version?)
- Remington action is better

What do y'all use when hunting? Smooth bore or rifled? Buckshot or slugs?

I have been hunting a lot of years and I have never seen the need for a rifled shotgun barrel. My smooth bore will kill deer well out to 100 yards with a cheap rifled slug. In 30 years of hunting I have not shot a deer beyond 60 yards or so with my shotgun as the woods where I hunt are too thick to see that far for the most part. If you hunt a lot of field edges I can see the need. Keep in ming that a rifled barrel is about 3X heavier than a smooth bore as well.

You can shoot buck shot out of a rifled barrel but it will lead up the barrel and because the buckshot is spinning the pattern is like a big donut and pretty useless so there is really no point.

JMO

Bob

[mac1911]

horizontalhunter makes a good point about distances. Also the combo models (at least when I looked at them) are both smooth bore barrel in the sets ? You will not ruin a rifled barrel shooting non sabot slugs. Accuracy will suffer.
I have the 870 combo set I purchased in 1988. Both smooth bore barrels. I have also used my 28" barrel with modified choke with slugster remington slugs to take out a few critters.
Allthough the 28" is a liitle cumbersom in the thicket.
I prefer Remington over Mossy. My 870 express is not pretty but has been flawless for all my hunting needs. I also shoot trap and sporting clays with it.
Dont rule out the winchester 1300. This has been my go to gun for birds the action on them is smooth as silk they where once called the fastest semi auto pump gun. They are designed to start opening on recoil

[Madball13]

If your deer hunting, pick up each gun by the pistol grip and shake it slightly, pick the gun that's quieter.

[rep308]

The Remington 870 is a better gun with more aftermarket parts. The Mossburg is a few buck cheaper and not awful, I own one but will trade for a Remington 870 if anyone is interested

[HorizontalHunter]

If your deer hunting, pick up each gun by the pistol grip and shake it slightly, pick the gun that's quieter.

Excellent point. You might also check and see how loud the safety is.

Bob