shotgun newbie question: Is this Mossberg 835 COMBO my best choice?

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myriflemylife

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hi all, I'm a big rifle fans but have no shotgun. I want to buy one for duck and goose hunting next year. I did some homework, but I still need your advice.

first I want declare the objective, 75% for waterfowl, 15% for grizzly defence, 10% for deer, grouse, small games.

Based on my objective and understanding, I think the shotgun I need is a 3.5inch, pump action with two barrels, one 28" and another 20" or 18.5". The 28" have nothing to say, but another one, I hope it could be a multi-mission shotgun, which means I want this barrel can grizzly defence , hunting deer and shoot some small games with different ammo. Is it possible? It wont be my primary hunting gun, what I assume is when I carry a bolt action rifle with a scope, a friend or my wife can carry this one, so I think I need a 20 or 18.5 inch, shotgun barrel(not a rifle barrel) , correct?

The gun I want to buy is Mossberg 835, I never hold a Mossberg shotgun before. I read a former US soldier’s posts about 500/590 and like it. I think the 835 should more reliable and stable than the 535.

The deal I find is:

MODEL 835 ULTI-MAG COMBOS Mossberg Arms

Turket/Waterfowl: Overbored ported barrel/Wt.: 7.5 lbs.
28"VR barrel: Choke Accu-set / Sight FO Front / OAL: 44.75"
24" barrel: Choke: Ulti-Fulle / Sight: Adj. FO / OAL: 44.75"

I don’t know the Choke Accu-set and Choke: Ulti-Fulle mean. Is this combo I need? Should I cut the 24" to 20 or 18.5? Why the OAL are same? I think the 24" should 4" shorter.

I want know your opinion, any kind of advice. Thank you all.

Mossberg-TurkeyCombo-12ga_0502.jpg
 
Well you don't NEED 3.5" i kill just as may ducks/geese with 3" as my hunting buddies do with 3.5", if you WANT 3.5 the thats another thing. if you want to shoot rifled slugs then yes a 20" or 18.5" smooth bore barrel is what you want, you can shoot shot out of that aswell, remington also makes 870 combos that you may like. you should go to a gunshop and try each for fit, thats going to be the most important part of becomming a good waterfowler, when you put your gun up you want it to be "rate there" for quicker target pick-ups. once you test fit a couple guns come back and let us know what you like best and we can help point you in the right direction if you want.

The sights on the gun above arn't what i prefer but you may, thats why its important to test fit a couple guns to see what is going to work best for you, i mainly use a 870 wingmaster for waterfowl and its perfect for my needs, when hunting upland i use a browning double auto because that does what i want it to in that setting, you have the right idea going with a combo gun because thats the most cost effective way to cover all your needs but once again the gun you should buy is all going to come down to fit
 
I have a moss 535 combo with 28" vent rib, 22" vent rib, and a 24" rifled barrel with cantilever scope mount. Great gun with lots of versatility. Remember, you cant shoot slugs out of the 835 because the barrels are overbored.
 
If you 3.5" shells go for the 535ats. They're great. Personally I'd go with the 500 series 3 barrel set. I have 3.5" guns and my 2 3/4" shells kill just as dead any water fowl they I pattern on. The only thing I like about the 3.5" guns are the 18 pellet 00buck shells for pattern density but in all honesty I can dump both barrels of my 2 3/4" sxs faster and have the same pattern. Pumps are reliable and mossbergs are well built gun. The 500 series has more barrel options then the 535 tho. For bear defense at most you will use a 3" slug so why get a 3.5" gun? Its best to feel each gun before you buy but the 500 is a fast handling decently balanced cheaply priced pump gun. I have 3 of them and have sold off all my remington pumps in favor of the mossbergs. The top tang safety is nice if left handed ppl will carry the gun
 
3.5" is unnecessary. Look for that combo but with 3" chamber. I did all my waterfowling this year with 2-3/4" steel without regrets.

Mossberg is a great value choice.
 
I've never used 3.5" shells and I have never felt undergunned. 2 3/4 for slugs, buckshot, target loads, and small game. 3" for waterfowl and turkey. 3.5" to me is nothing more than a marketing gimmick to sell more guns.

The Mossberg is a fine gun for the money. You can probably save some cash by going with a 500 combo, and there's tons of accessories out there for them. Including barrels and chokes.

"Accu-set" means the barrel includes the standard 3 chokes, improved cylinder, modified, and full. Ulti-full is an extra full choke for turkey hunting. That covers most hunting scenarios, you may want to add a slug barrel and a short security barrel to round out the utility of the gun.

I *love* the recoil pad on my 500 too, just thought I'd mention that. Really softens the boot to the shoulder.
 
I have a Mossberg 835 and I like it better than my Mossberg 500. As mentioned, the standard barrel on an 835 is overbored, which means that if you fire a slug out of it, the barrel is big enough around that you could concievably get the round stuck in the barrel. The rifled barrel of course won't have that problem.

But, what hasn't been mentioned is that you should buy the gun that FITS YOU. Both my Mossbergs "feel better" to me than most other shotguns. They come to my shoulder more easily, my sight acquisition feels more natural, and a little faster. But that doesn't make them necessarily better than other choices, they just fit me better than other shotguns. Sure, I like 'em, but more importantly, they also fit me. If it doesn't fit you, if it doesn't "feel right," in your hands, keep shopping!

Chokes. The chokes on a Mossberg 500, and a Mossberg 835 are different. The Mossberg 835 chokes are much longer, so you absolutely cannot use a Mossberg 500 choke in a Mossberg 835. The chokes for a Mossberg 500, and 535 are called "Accu Chokes." The chokes for a Mossberg 835 are called "Accu Mag." To make this even more confusing, Mossberg throws the word Ulti-Mag around when talking about the 835. Ulti-Mag I believe refers to the over-bored barrel, or the capability to take 3.5 inch rounds. Ulti-full is the extended "extra full" turkey choke you can see pictured.

Whatever the case may be, if you want to do both waterfowl, and deer hunting using slugs with an 835, you need two barrels. I have a turkey thumbhole 835 with a 20 inch barrel, and I've hunted geese with it - just don't fire steel through a full choke, or so I'm told.

Mossberg says, "In addition, all 835® Ulti-Mag® smooth bore barrels are overbored to 10 gauge bore dimensions, reducing recoil and producing exceptionally uniform patterns from both light and heavy shot charges." The part about the recoil is true. My 835 seems to have quite a lot less recoil than my 500.
 
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snibbort said:
I have a moss 535 combo with 28" vent rib, 22" vent rib, and a 24" rifled barrel with cantilever scope mount. Great gun with lots of versatility. Remember, you cant shoot slugs out of the 835 because the barrels are overbored.
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Are you saying that all modern browning guns (overbored barrels) can't shoot slugs?
 
G P said:
Are you saying that all modern browning guns (overbored barrels) can't shoot slugs?
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No.

Mossberg cautions against shooting slugs through an overbored barrel. Browning as far as I know has no such warning. The internet consensus seems to be that it's safe, but you won't be nearly as accurate as if you'd used a rifled barrel, or a barrel that wasn't over-bored. Sorry, my bad.

For myself however, I would avoid it. Mossberg puts the caution in there because a Mossberg 835 is over-bored to 10 gauge dimensions. I've never owned a Browning, but I'm guessing they aren't overbored quite that much.
 
first of all, thank you all, your valuable reply help me much better understanding about shotgun. I really appreciate.

I'm so surprised about the 835 cant shoot slugs! I thought the 835 is a upgrade version 535, and the 535 is a 3.5'' version of 500. although I still dont really know what is "overbored" mean, but for sure the 835 is out of my list.

about the 3.5'' bore and 3'' bore, seems most of you don't think they have big different. I never shoot waterfowl before, I just heard the 3.5'' bigger is better. so the 3'' are in my range now.

I still prefer the Mossberg than the 870, I dont know why, I love my Remington 700, maybe I just want try something different.

compare the 500 with 590, I know the 590 is a better version, but considering the add weight, barrel stuff, and no combo. I more like 500.

all right, based on the new knowledge I got, I find a 500 combo seems a deal for me, of course, I amnot decided now, I will try different guns and feel them in the local store before I buy it. thank you guys.

BTW: this combos have two choice, a 24'' deer/field or 28''/18.5'' filed/security, and the product introduction are mixed. I just want to ask is the 18.5'' barrel smooth bore? can shoot slugs and bucks or not?

MODEL 500 COMBOS

28''/18.5''

FEATURES
Wood model with cut checkering
Camo models with synthetic stock
Ported barrel
O.A.L.: 12ga: 47.5"; 20ga: 45.5" 28" VR & 26VR: Sight: Twin Bead
Choke: Accu-set. 24": Sight: Adj. Rifle
Choke: Fully-rifled bore
Synthetic stock. 18.5: Sight: Bead
Choke: Cylinder Bore
Security with pistol grip.

Ambidextrous thumb-operated safety
Quiet carry dual-action bars
Anti-jam lever
Chamber: 3" and handle all 2-3/4" - 3" shotshells
12 & 20 gauge receivers drilled and tapped for scope bases
Rubber recoil pad
Mag. Cap.: (2-3/4") 6 shot
Includes gun lock.
xlg_54169.jpg
 
accually one of the guys i hunt with just bought the same combo as pictured above, he like you is a beginner in waterfowl and he loves the 500. when you go into a gun shop, have in mind what you want to do with the gun, and what you want to spend, then try everything that suits your needs and is in your price range, i know a guy that went to buy a mossberg 500 and the guy at the shop put a BPS in his hands and he didnt want the mossy once he held the BPS only problem is he didnt really want to spend that much, even though the mossy suited all his needs and fit him perfect.

the 18.5" barrel for that 500 combo can shoot bird shot, buck shot and rifled slugs, and the 28" barrel will be perfect for waterfowl, remington makes a combo like that aswell so if you try the 870 and like that then that would also be an option, make sure it fits nice, that will make learning to shoot waterfowl that much easier, let us know what you decide!

Also fhg1893, i know what you mean, too many people walk in to a gun shop and say wow that has nice wood on it i really like that, they have no clue if it fits them but it sure looks good when they walk through the woods with it.
 
myriflemylife said:
first of all, thank you all, your valuable reply help me much better understanding about shotgun. I really appreciate.

I'm so surprised about the 835 cant shoot slugs!
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The 835 can shoot slugs, just not through it's "normal" smooth bore barrel.

myriflemylife said:
I thought the 835 is a upgrade version 535, and the 535 is a 3.5'' version of 500. although I still dont really know what is "overbored" mean, but for sure the 835 is out of my list.
Click to expand...

Over-bored, and back-bored really mean the same thing. The bore of the barrel of an over-bored or back-bored shotgun is enlarged so that it's larger than standard 12 gauge barrels. The 835 is a 12 gauge shotgun, but the barrel has been over-bored so that it's the same dimensions as a 10 gauge. Companies do this because they say it improves patterning.

myriflemylife said:
about the 3.5'' bore and 3'' bore, seems most of you don't think they have big different. I never shoot waterfowl before, I just heard the 3.5'' bigger is better. so the 3'' are in my range now.

I still prefer the Mossberg than the 870, I dont know why, I love my Remington 700, maybe I just want try something different.

compare the 500 with 590, I know the 590 is a better version, but considering the add weight, barrel stuff, and no combo. I more like 500.
Click to expand...

Do not buy a Mossberg 590 for waterfowl! For waterfowl, you need to be able to throw a pattern. The Mossberg 590 is essentially a purpose built military/police/combat shotgun. It's not meant to be a hunting shotgun, it can't take chokes at all, and that's going to make it too hard to do waterfowl properly.

myriflemylife said:
all right, based on the new knowledge I got, I find a 500 combo seems a deal for me, of course, I amnot decided now, I will try different guns and feel them in the local store before I buy it. thank you guys.

BTW: this combos have two choice, a 24'' deer/field or 28''/18.5'' filed/security, and the product introduction are mixed. I just want to ask is the 18.5'' barrel smooth bore? can shoot slugs and bucks or not?
myriflemylife said:
Yes, all Mossberg 500's are going to be standard bore 12 gauge shotguns. I believe that Mossberg only makes the 835 as an over-bored shotgun. Both 500 and 535 are NOT over-bored making it safe to shoot slugs without fear of a barrel obstruction. The 24" deer/field will come with a rifle-bore barrel (deer barrel) which will have either rifle sights, or a cantilevered scope-mount which accepts Picatinny/Weaver style rings, and a 24" "field barrel" with bead sights. The 28"/18.5" field security combo will come with a 28" "field barrel" with bead sights, and an 18.5" "security/home defense" barrel with bead sights.

If I may make a suggestion. Yes, 3" ammo is plenty, but if you want the convenience of firing 3.5" shells, if you want something that can shoot slugs, you want something for bear-defense, and you want something that can shoot waterfowl, try out a Mossberg 535 Thumb-hole turkey.

45100.jpg


My 835 is like this. The barrel is 20" making it suitable for bear defense. It'll take 3.5" shells. It will shoot slugs. It will shoot waterfowl. The only thing you'd be missing is a few choke tubes. Just change the choke tube to a modified and buy an improved cylinder, and it will do whatever you like without having to mess with 2 or 3 barrels. Some guys don't like the thumb-hole stocks, and that's fine. I love 'em. I want to put one on my 500. Or perhaps I'll trade my 500 for one of these... In any case, try it out before you judge, because they don't work for everybody. If you can get used to the rifle sights, you can take waterfowl, no problem. And they're not that expensive either. A gun like that would be "all-purpose" for the price of a choke-tube.

TURKEY 45100 12 3 1/2" VENT RIB, SYNTHETIC THUMBHOLE STOCK 6 20" VR ADJ. FO X-FACTOR PTD TUBE 40 1/2" 14" 1 1/8" 2 3/8" MATTE BLUE synthetic (black) 7 LBS $456.00
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Thank you l.denison, I can't agree with you more. I still remember when I went to buy my first gun, the gun store guy try to sell a 2###$ gun to me after he know I want to buy a ###$ remington 700. I did lots of research before and insist on my choice, that remington is my favorite gun until today.


fhg1893. Thank you for your patient advise. They are really helpful. I will do more research between 3'' and 3.5''. Seriously, the time and energy I spend for this shotgun are more than all of my 8 guns.
 
myriflemylife said:
fhg1893. Thank you for your patient advise. They are really helpful. I will do more research between 3'' and 3.5''. Seriously, the time and energy I spend for this shotgun are more than all of my 8 guns.
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Well, I did a ton of research when I bought my first shotgun too. And I learned a lot. My way of giving back I guess. :D

I had forgotten that Mossberg also makes a few series of 500's that would fit the bill, if you decide you don't need 3.5 inch shells.

500® PUMP-ACTION - GRAND SLAM SERIES™ - TURKEY:
52263.jpg


500® PUMP-ACTION - TACTICAL TURKEY™ SERIES
53263.jpg


These are unfortunately only available in camo, but they're 20inch barrels as well. An if you don't like a thumb-hole stock for the 535, there's a pistol grip model as well.

535 ATS™ PUMP-ACTION - TACTICAL TURKEY™ SERIES
45223.jpg


I don't much care for Mossberg's straight synthetic stocks - they're some kind of hollow plastic and while i haven't had a problem yet, I can imagine that they'd break easily. The thumb-hole stock I have? Completely solid. Gives me a much better feeling.

Anyway, let us know how it works out! I'm always happy to compare notes about shotguns.
 
The plastic is durable enough to drive over with a 400 king quad atv. Scratched it up but didn't break it. 3" is all you need. 3.5" gives more recoil and blast and more barrel jump. If you'd miss with 3" you'd miss it with the 3.5" as well. Get what you want but remember the old days they took ducks with 2.5" shells. To me 3.5" shells still belong to the 10ga
 
I'll wade into the discussion & agree with everyone that regardless what shotgun you go with, you don't 'need' the 3.5 inch chamber... BUT...

I will say that I used to hunt ducks with 3 inch #4's and last year, after getting into more & more of a mix of ducks & geese... I sat down & did the calculations on 1&1/8 oz of #4's in a 3 inch shell going 1550fps VS 1&1/8 of #2's in a 3 inch shell going 1550fps VS 1&3/8 oz #2's in a 3.5 inch shell going 1550fps...

A 1&1/8 oz 3 inch shell carries 141 #2 pellets...
A 1&1/8 oz 3 inch shell carries 216 #4 pellets...
The 1&3/8 oz 3.5 inch shell carries 172 pellets #2 pellets...

So, I chose to go with the 3.5 inch shells because it allows me to shoot the #2 pellets because we have been getting into more geese. Keep in mind that pattern density is important to! You have to hit them with pellets to kill them. The 3.5 inch shell allows me to shoot the heavier pellets & while not having the pattern density of the #4's, it's a split right between the #2's & #4's out of the 3 inch shells...

Cheers
Jay
 
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