Mossberg 500 20 Gauge Pump

Ideally, shoulder them all as we are all different. Having said that I prefer the 870, action is smooth, forend does wiggle like the 500 and the bps is heavier (bottom eject sucks for quick reload in the field). To each its own basically.
 
I am also in the market for a 3-barrel combo, as I have usage for all 3 and it sounds like a bargain.
I am considering either the Mossberg 500 (pump) or 930 (semi) in the 3-barrel combo. Is the accuracy with the rifled barrels a common issue, or just something you've experienced with whatever combo of slugs you found?
In our area, shotgun season is the same as muzzleloader, and a buddy of mine (fellow CGN'r) is into muzzleloaders, so I figured this would be a good option to join him. Typical ranges would be 50-75 yards.

Dumb question: Do the barrels not in use need to be in the safe? I assume not, but wondering... since they'll take up some room and potentially get knocked around a bit.

From what I’ve always read and now experienced rifled shotgun barrels can be very picky with what ammo they shoot accurately, I tried Federal, two offerings of Winchester and two different Hornady 12g sabots. Hornady gave me the best groups, iirc around 2.75”-3” @ 50y. 100y groups were dismal, I keep hearing Rem accutips are the way to go but I haven’t found anyone with stock since I bought the gun in 2017.

No you aren’t required to lock up barrels, I just tuck mine in the back corner of the safe out of the way.
 
Hmmmm. Good to know Butcher Bill . I remember you gave me some good advice a couple of years ago concerning my defensive short barrel shot gun . As a matter of fact I need to post something up in that thread
Thank You !
Leavenworth
Any reason you’re set on a rifled barrel? Take a look at the price of 20g sabot slugs, if it’s anything like the price of 12g sabots you might have a heart attack lol. I bought a 12g three barrel 870 combo awhile back and the rifled slug barrel was super picky with sabots, I had the idea to use it for bear hunting but after shooting 5-6 brands of sabot slugs I couldn’t get acceptable accuracy from any of them at 100y. So it sits collecting dust in my safe till I find something it shoots well, at $20-25 for 5 12g sabots I’m better off with my .303 or .308 for bears as I’m not in a shotgun only MU.
 
Hmmmm. Good to know Butcher Bill . I remember you gave me some good advice a couple of years ago concerning my defensive short barrel shot gun . As a matter of fact I need to post something up in that thread
Thank You !
Leavenworth

Something to consider, especially right now with availability and price of factory ammo. I want to use mine for hunting but at $5 bucks a sabot (or maybe more currently), I’m better off with my rifles. Both in cost and accuracy, if I’m hunting bears I’m likely in the 80-100y range and none of the sabots I tried were accurate enough for me to want to take a shot with. Hopefully someday that will change, maybe I’ll have to start casting and loading Lyman sabot slugs. I’d be happy with a consistent 3-4” group at 100y with sabots, I’m not expecting rifle accuracy out of a pump shotgun.

Maybe 20g sabots are a different story, all I can speak on is the 12g variety. So take that for what it is.
 
I have a wood version Mossberg 500 20 gauge 26 inch barrel. I've never hand any problems with it I use it for rabbits, I love the thumb safety. The receiver on mine is also drilled and tapped for a weaver rail if you turkey hunt.
 
Maybe it’s just me but I find the Epps website hard to navigate ?
Leavenworth
The browning bps. It's a bit more than the Mossberg but there are frequently good used deals. It is much smoother in operation and much better fit and finish than the Mossberg. It's bottom feed/bottom eject so truly ambidextrous (in case you're a lefty). I would go with the bps over the Mossberg any day of the week even if I had to spend a bit more to get a decent used one. It's a higher quality shotgun. Epps carries a bunch of barrels, sometimes has used ones.
Haven't used a rem 870 so can't compare
 
Is the Browning BPS as easy to change out barrels ?
Leavenworth
The browning bps. It's a bit more than the Mossberg but there are frequently good used deals. It is much smoother in operation and much better fit and finish than the Mossberg. It's bottom feed/bottom eject so truly ambidextrous (in case you're a lefty). I would go with the bps over the Mossberg any day of the week even if I had to spend a bit more to get a decent used one. It's a higher quality shotgun. Epps carries a bunch of barrels, sometimes has used ones.
Haven't used a rem 870 so can't compare
 
Adam . You mention 3 barrel combo . I get the 2 barrel combo as
1 would be smooth barrel for bird shot .
2 rifled barrel for rifled slugs
3 What would the 3rd barrel be for ?
Leavenworth
I am also in the market for a 3-barrel combo, as I have usage for all 3 and it sounds like a bargain.
I am considering either the Mossberg 500 (pump) or 930 (semi) in the 3-barrel combo. Is the accuracy with the rifled barrels a common issue, or just something you've experienced with whatever combo of slugs you found?
In our area, shotgun season is the same as muzzleloader, and a buddy of mine (fellow CGN'r) is into muzzleloaders, so I figured this would be a good option to join him. Typical ranges would be 50-75 yards.

Dumb question: Do the barrels not in use need to be in the safe? I assume not, but wondering... since they'll take up some room and potentially get knocked around a bit.
 
3rd is probably a Turkey barrel, a shorter 20”-23” smooth bore that has rifle sights and takes choke tubes. They’re great for foster slugs as well, it’s the barrel I use the most (99% of the time) on my 870 combo. The most versatile barrel I have if I were to pick one.
 
I've got the 500 in the 3-in-1 combo.

IMHO, it's literally the best gun to buy as a 1st time purchase.

The 26" barrel with chokes is fine, and able to handle everything from waterfowl, to small game, to skeet and trap.

The rifled barrel pins slugs into 2" groups at 100M, so it's got you covered for bigger game.

The 24" turkey barrel with extra full choke throws a beauty tight pattern.

The receiver and gun itself is robust, and will serve anyone for decades of hunting and shooting.
 
From what I’ve always read and now experienced rifled shotgun barrels can be very picky with what ammo they shoot accurately, I tried Federal, two offerings of Winchester and two different Hornady 12g sabots. Hornady gave me the best groups, iirc around 2.75”-3” @ 50y. 100y groups were dismal, I keep hearing Rem accutips are the way to go but I haven’t found anyone with stock since I bought the gun in 2017.

No you aren’t required to lock up barrels, I just tuck mine in the back corner of the safe out of the way.

We had a bunch at Als Corner store out here. I have a few boxes, and by buddy bought 3. The Rem Accutips shoot extremely well out of the 500s rifled barrel.
 
Adam . You mention 3 barrel combo . I get the 2 barrel combo as
1 would be smooth barrel for bird shot .
2 rifled barrel for rifled slugs
3 What would the 3rd barrel be for ?
Leavenworth

Turkey.

The 3rd barrel is a 24" smooth bore, with an extended xtra full choke, and a set of fibre optic beads. Single up front, notched with two in the rear for easily sighting in in low light.
 
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