Mossberg Tactical Turkey

[bassackwardzz]

Just wondering if anybody has an opinion on one of these. I have never owned a Mossberg, always an 870 (express, mind you...).

I think it looks great, all the add-ons already included. But... I am a little skeptical about the 20" barrel for 40 yard shots at a turkey's head. Does anybody have any knowledge about patterning a short barrelled choked gun??

Thanks in advance.....................

 

[308BAR]

Are you looking at the thumbhole one or the one with the adjustable stock?

I personally like the look of the adjustable stock plus it could second as a home tactical as well.

It doesn't matter how long the barrle is but for turkey, you want ~90% of the shots in a 30 inch circle. If the shotgun has adjustable sights, site it in first a 15 yards so you know where your shots are going. Just spray paint a dot in a middle of a large piece of cardboard and set it out 15 yards. Aim at the spot, fire and adjust sites as needed. I would recommend a good rest for sighting in.

Then put it out 40 yards and fire at a turkey target paper if you have it. If ~90% of your shots are within a 30 inch circle, you've got a good pattern for turkey. Test this by putting a pop can out 40 yards on a stick, if 7+ pellets penetrates though the can it's good to go. If your shots need adjusting than fuller choke may be require.

Hope this helps a little.
Happy hunting.

 

[bassackwardzz]

would have to be that adjustable pistol grip stock. Thanks for the replyl, but just to clarify, you don't think there would be much of a difference, say with a 28" barrel to a 20" provided they were both equally choked (size doesn't matter?!!!).

 

[308BAR]

The length of your barrel will affect your pattern. 40 Yards is a guild line for clean kill distance. Either w/ a 28" barrel or a 24" barrel the desired turkey pattern is ~90% of all shots to be in a 30 inch circle. A heavily choke 28" turkey barrel may give you a denser pattern @ 40 yds, however it may not give you enough "room for error". A 20" barrel will give you more coverage but may not give you enough density in the desired kill area.

You should also take into consideration the area you are going to hunt. If it is dense brush and stuff you'd probably want to go with a shorter barrel, because it is less likely to get hung-up on branches and other junk. Also a shorter barrel will allow you to swing less to aquire your angle to the game.

Open areas fields and stuff which may put you into a situation for a longer shot than go with a longer barrel. I believe the 28" barrel will have a different style of choke than the 20" barrel.

Just my 2cents. Cheers.