Mossberg 835 & 3 1/2" recoil???
- Thread starter emerson
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
If you're shooting a 3.5" shotgun at a "range" you have defined your problem in the first sentence. It is a specialized load suitable for pass shooting geese at long range and is good for very little else. I hope you enjoy your big gun while shooting targets, but I prefer something more efficient and less painful.
OUCH! You may want to consider a padded cheek piece, upgraded recoil pad and/or stock. I've seen some shooters using cheek pieces, but I'm not familiar enough to recommend any models. A padded one has to be better on the face than hard wood or plastic. A Limbsaver recoil pad, if your shotgun doesn't already have one, would definitely reduce felt recoil by about a third. It makes my 300 Win Mag feel like a 308. A friend just put a Knoxx SpecOps stock on his short barrel shotgun. He says he now hardly feels any recoil with target rounds. I suggested he try some magnum rounds! 
He hasn't tried that yet.
He hasn't tried that yet.I had to experiment to be fully informed. I doubt 3 1/2" shells will be a big part of my future.
OUCH! You may want to consider a padded cheek piece, upgraded recoil pad and/or stock. I've seen some shooters using cheek pieces, but I'm not familiar enough to recommend any models. A padded one has to be better on the face than hard wood or plastic. A Limbsaver recoil pad, if your shotgun doesn't already have one, would definitely reduce felt recoil by about a third. It makes my 300 Win Mag feel like a 308. A friend just put a Knoxx SpecOps stock on his short barrel shotgun. He says he now hardly feels any recoil with target rounds. I suggested he try some magnum rounds!
A Knoxx stock is in my future also.
Is it a hunting gun or a home defense/range gun?
If it is a hunting (Waterfowl or bird) gun don't put that knoxx stock on it. You won't hit a damn thing. The Knoxx sits almost flat with the barrel so you need to break your neck over it just to keep your line of site. Unless you put a red dot or higher blade sight at the front.
If it is a hunting (Waterfowl or bird) gun don't put that knoxx stock on it. You won't hit a damn thing. The Knoxx sits almost flat with the barrel so you need to break your neck over it just to keep your line of site. Unless you put a red dot or higher blade sight at the front.
That's where I'm at now with the stock furniture. That's why it hurts to chew after shooting this thing. That and the 12" length of pull that will be closer to 16" with a Knoxx and perhaps a limbsaver. I foresee a red dot sight in the future, but will be using "mission creep" to get it past the wife.
I have a mossberg 835 with the 28" ported barrel and a Knoxx SpecOps stock. That stock makes that 835 absolutely beautiful to shoot. 2.75" shells are barely felt, 3" might wake you up if you were napping, and 3.5" feel less than the 2.75 did with the original stock. That knoxx is a wonderful stock. A great buy. Planning on putting pictures up soon.
I had 2 835s over the years. Both worked great. I used 3 1/2" shells in the first one until the box was empty. Then switched to 3" and 2 3/4". Never looked back!
I get more ducks with much less pain and less money spent.
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
In theory 3 1/2" inch shells fired from an 835 or a similarly over bored shotgun will kick less than if fired in a gun whos barrel is "true" 12 gauge. I saw a few H&R's with the 31/2" chamber and their barrels were .729 and they weighed between 5 & 6 lbs.
To the OP what shells were you using? Most of the Waterfowl shells available in 3 1/2" are just 3" loads in a longer shell.
To the OP what shells were you using? Most of the Waterfowl shells available in 3 1/2" are just 3" loads in a longer shell.
Update. Waterfowl with red dot????? Those with actual experience only please.
Shot a bear with 000, lungs@35yds, massive scope bite. Bear dead. Put a SPARC on. Looking to simplify, tried the slug barrel without SPARC, cheekbone hammered and big lump from underneath hit from comb of Knoxx stock (with 2 3/4" slugs and #7 shot in the 28"VR) Remounted red dot with high riser. 50 slugs in 1 range session, shoulder good, cheek good.
Looking to pattern shot with SPARC and do ducks/geese this fall with this setup.
Note: 1) Those who say "Get gun that fits you", unless you are buying it for me, not an option.
2) Shoot many rounds of trap/skeet and hundreds a cases of shot to become instinctive shooter. No budget for a few years of practice. Cheaper to start with a fitted gun anyway.
Anyone who wasn't already a champion shotgunner tried a red dot or reflex sight while wingshooting? If all you have to say is you have never tried one, please refrain from posting.
Shot a bear with 000, lungs@35yds, massive scope bite. Bear dead. Put a SPARC on. Looking to simplify, tried the slug barrel without SPARC, cheekbone hammered and big lump from underneath hit from comb of Knoxx stock (with 2 3/4" slugs and #7 shot in the 28"VR) Remounted red dot with high riser. 50 slugs in 1 range session, shoulder good, cheek good.
Looking to pattern shot with SPARC and do ducks/geese this fall with this setup.
Note: 1) Those who say "Get gun that fits you", unless you are buying it for me, not an option.
2) Shoot many rounds of trap/skeet and hundreds a cases of shot to become instinctive shooter. No budget for a few years of practice. Cheaper to start with a fitted gun anyway.
Anyone who wasn't already a champion shotgunner tried a red dot or reflex sight while wingshooting? If all you have to say is you have never tried one, please refrain from posting.
