New to Shotguns, looking for advice and info.

J

jmb55

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So I recently acquired a Lakefield Mossberg 500AB, 12 gauge 2 3/4" & 3" with a 30 inch barrel and full choke. Most of my experience has been with handguns and rifles so I would appreciate some info about this shotgun.

I was told that i cannot use steel shot shells with the current barrel, what ammo can i use safely with it? I primarily expect to use it for clay shooting with something like Challenger target shells but I want to know if buckshot and slugs can be run through it.

Does anyone know any specifics about this model and it's history? The receiver is marked "Made in Canada" but I am having difficulty finding info on when it was made and how they hold up quality wise.

This shotgun is going to be a refinishing project as it has some surface rust on the barrel and the stock/forend needs to be redone.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Any lead shot will safely fire in it. Rifled slugs will squeeze thru the choke safely. Buck shot of all sizes can be used. You may or maybe get good patterns or groupings. The only way to know for sure is to try them. Do not use sabot slugs. Make sure theyre for smooth bores. Any bulk trap load will be fine. I prefer rem gun clubs. They maybe a little more expensive but theyre consistent and have a great hull
The older mossbergs were well built. If cared for they will last a life time. Parts are easy to find and are common. Other barrels can be bought and swapped easily. Shop around and you can find a 28" vent ribbed barrel with accu choke tubes and be set for everything
 
There are a lot of guys running steel through fixed full chokes. I wouldn't do it, I have seen the damage first hand. I had a both hand me down A5's and Winchester 1200's reamed to modified.
 
Hello, I have the exact same shotgun. I made it nicer. Refinished the barrel ( blued). Fantastic gun! Very well made!
I have a 28" vent ribbed barrel if you ever need one. I use a shorter one.
Cheers and stay safe
 
Steel shot through a full choke is definitely a big no no unless you have a removable choke that says it is rated for use with steel shot.
 
its kind of like this big violent slide hammer . The shot rushes down the barrel and runs into a restriction at the choke. Lead deforms and remolds itself, passing through full choke. Steel shot much harder to deform, so when it hits the choke, pressure in barrel goes very high. This will have ill effect on a firearm, such as separation of choke section from rest of barrel. It can cause bulges in the end of barrel, or even cracked stocks
, The gun will also have very high recoil, making it nasty to shoot. You can get the barrel opened up to mod for around $50 well worth it
 
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