- Location
- West Central Alberta
I prefer a 28 inch for general hunting and a 18.5 for a camp slug gun.
Recommended barrel length for general use?
- Thread starter irRegularGuy646
- Start date
You won’t find a combo for the 590, only the 500 or the Maverick 88 have the combo sets from Mossberg. I had a quick look and seems like the 500 combo’s are sold out most places currently. There are 3 or 4 for sale on GP if you are interested in used, a couple of them look to be on very good shape
I run a 26" vent rib with removeable chokes on an 870, works for all the waterfowl I have ever pointed it at. I use an IC choke
I wouldn't use it for slugs or buckshot though.
I have a 20" smooth bore with IC choke and DRS that I use for those.
A few years ago, A friend and I took about 7 or 8 barrels of different lengths and chokes and patterned buckshot with them.
The 20" IC was significantly better (meaning tighter patters at 30 and 50 yards) than any other with 3" Federal 00buck with Flight Control (the only buckshot I use for deer).
In my opinion, there isn't a Do it all barrel length (or choke) for a shotgun but the nice thing is how fast and easy it is to swap barrels out.
To be fair tho, I have a friend who deer hunts with a 26" IC and does fine. Even if his patterns aren't as good as mine, lol.
I wouldn't use it for slugs or buckshot though.
I have a 20" smooth bore with IC choke and DRS that I use for those.
A few years ago, A friend and I took about 7 or 8 barrels of different lengths and chokes and patterned buckshot with them.
The 20" IC was significantly better (meaning tighter patters at 30 and 50 yards) than any other with 3" Federal 00buck with Flight Control (the only buckshot I use for deer).
In my opinion, there isn't a Do it all barrel length (or choke) for a shotgun but the nice thing is how fast and easy it is to swap barrels out.
To be fair tho, I have a friend who deer hunts with a 26" IC and does fine. Even if his patterns aren't as good as mine, lol.
- Location
- Western Canada
My general purpose shotgun is a 18.5" 1301 and it works for all my needs. If I were shooting clays more often or competing, I would go for the 1301 comp.
My bush shotgun is a custom 14" 870 for better handling in confined spaces.
If you want a pump, for your needs, I would vote for a Mossberg 500 with a couple different length barrels. There's loads of options for shotguns depending on budget and intention of use.
My bush shotgun is a custom 14" 870 for better handling in confined spaces.
If you want a pump, for your needs, I would vote for a Mossberg 500 with a couple different length barrels. There's loads of options for shotguns depending on budget and intention of use.
And I went from a 30inch to a 28inch and that worked well for me.
It is ALL personal preference ... deciding by consensus will drive one mad chasing the perfect anything.
Like women and cars the beauty is in the eye of the beholder , one needs to decide what the use will be used for and go from there.
Just my nickles worth of opinion due to Craniflation.
Rob
In my opinion, shotguns can do so much and can be configured so many ways that the "general purpose" thing doesn't really fit. Really helpful if you narrow down say...the top 1-2 things you see yourself doing with it? But the 500 suggestion is a better one for barrel options alone. I get the "buy once" thing, but just because 590s exist it doesn't mean the 500 is a lesser gun. Most shotgunners I've met wouldn't wear out a 500 in a couple lifetimes.
BUT, reading between the lines here a bit....
Basically, if moving targets are the main use (clays/hunting) than you'd be better served with a longer 26-28" barrel with interchangeable choke. They work fine for the fun stuff/reactive targets/slugs etc. but if the latter is the main goal, maybe a smooth bore, shorter barrel would be fun since the distance is usually less and chokes don't always play into that. Recognizing the dual purpose/desire, Mossberg offer combo sets with what I'd call a "bird barrel" and a shorter, defense type smoothbore one. The most economical choice too, recognizing you can just buy a bird gun and buy a second barrel on it's own down the road.
Mossberg barrels have not been as easy to source as 870 ones in my experience but since there are a lot of these guns out there (14? ) finding exactly what you want is just requires little wait sometimes.
BUT, reading between the lines here a bit....
Basically, if moving targets are the main use (clays/hunting) than you'd be better served with a longer 26-28" barrel with interchangeable choke. They work fine for the fun stuff/reactive targets/slugs etc. but if the latter is the main goal, maybe a smooth bore, shorter barrel would be fun since the distance is usually less and chokes don't always play into that. Recognizing the dual purpose/desire, Mossberg offer combo sets with what I'd call a "bird barrel" and a shorter, defense type smoothbore one. The most economical choice too, recognizing you can just buy a bird gun and buy a second barrel on it's own down the road.
Mossberg barrels have not been as easy to source as 870 ones in my experience but since there are a lot of these guns out there (14?
) finding exactly what you want is just requires little wait sometimes.
