Help! Shot Gun Noob Questions

Vincentk

Vincentk

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Let me start by saying i have only shot a shot gun once. I know nothing about them that's why i am on here asking you fine folks for help. I'm more of a handgun guy. Ok, so i bought a mossberg 500 spx tactical today and i have a couple questions.

1) what is with the rifle and non rifled barrel stuff. I looked in the barrel of my mossberg and it doesnt look like it rifled does that mean i can't shoot slugs and i can only shoot normal shells with the steel bbs in them?

2) what is this choke business? What are they for? My pal instructor kind of brushed upon this topic but i kind of forgot :( . Im asking because my shotgun didn't come with any chokes.

thanks in advance for your help.
 
You got yourself a "tactical" shotgun so yes, there is no rifling and no chokes. The shotgun you purchased is meant for home defense and LEO/military duties. It is smoothbore but you can fire slugs and shot out of it. Rifling imparts spin on a projectile and since shotguns usually shoot shot (hence shotgun) they don't have rifling because the rifling doesn't impart spin on multiple little projectiles. Instead, the shot can damage the rifling. So how do you control shot? That's what chokes are for. Various choke sizes control the spread of shot. Since your shotgun is tactical, there is no need to control spread at the short ranges you are intended to use it for. Now why rifled barrels? Well, some folks like to hunt with slugs which are solid chunks of lead. Since slugs are single projectiles, rifling WILL impart spin and therefore stability which increases accuracy (best with SABOTs). But what about smoothbores? Yes you can shoot slugs out of smoothbore, but RIFLED slugs. Rifled slugs have rifling molded into them. Non rifled slugs will work but accuracy leaves much to be desired and vice versa with rifled slugs in rifled barrels. Honestly, all this stuff is in the firearms manual. Just check it up in there.
 
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You do not have a "hunting" shotgun, you can shoot any 12ga ammo except the expensive sabot slugs. Have fun with your gun & shoot lots of cans etc. I have shot pigeons with mine (both live & clay). As for chokes full = a tight pattern so most of the pattern in inside a 30 inch circle at 30 yds. Modified is more open so pattern in wider. Cylinder is what you have, there is no restriction to the shot column so it spreads faster & wider. Designed for very close shooting. Hope this helps.
 
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