Slugs and Mossberg Combos...

[CanuckShooter]

1. What kind of accuracy can one expect with sabots through a Mossberg rifled slug barrel at 50-100yds

2. Inside what distance would the stopping power of a sabot be more than enough for something as large as a moose/bear?

3. Are the upgrades (overbored barrel, porting) on the 835's really worth the extra $100 over the 500 Combos? I don't really see myself ever needing a 3.5" chamber and don't really want the longer stroke that comes with it, but if those 2 options make a big diff....

4. How hard are slug guns on scopes? Would something inexpensive like a fixed power Banner be tough enough?

5. Does anyone know the item number of the 500 Combo (in the new Mossy Oak BU) with a slug barrel equipped with the cantilever scope mount at WSS? Their numbers don't correspond with ANY of the combo numbers on Mossberg's website.

Thanks

 

[nelly250]

i can't answer any of your questions, but i can tell you my 20 inch smoothbore Mossberg 535 turkey tactical shoots great anywhere under 100 yards with winchester 3inch slugs. But its recoil is way too heavy. I don't want to sound like a wimp here, but after the last sight in session i had a bruise on my shoulder for a week, a stiff neck from the prone shots and a gash on my hand from who knows what. Becuase of the recoil i would put a good scope on it. I went with a burris fullfield II 2-7x.

 

[Claven2]

The aluminum receiver of the mossy makes it a light gun. If you have a composite stock it's lighter still.

If you shoot alot of slugs, consider a good limbsaver or decelerator pad. Consider a heavy wood stock over the composite stock. Or look at a Knoxx recoil reduction system.

accuracy-wise, there will not be a big difference between rifled vs. unrifled slug barrels within 100 yards. The overboring and porting are WAY over-rated. I wouldn't pay for it personally.

Buy a good scope. A fixed power Leupold or a bushnell elite are good choices.

 

[Camo tung]

Canuck:
I'm using the same gun I think (Mossberg 500A combo - rifled slug and vent rib barrels?). I bought mine new at Milarm for a great price in the camo/synthetic stock but with the tapped receiver. I'm using a weaver mount and a 3x9x40 Dawn & Dusk scope. I like it! Most accurate slug for me so far has been the Remington core lokt ultras in 385 grain, 2 3/4" - less than 3" at 100 yards and I'm still fine tuning the scope.

From my own experience I can add 2 things:
Use loctite on the base to receiver screws and on the ring caps (Weaver set ups). I haven't had one loosen up on any of my slug guns after doing this.

I have noticed a very definite difference in accurancy between a foster-style slug through a smoothbore and a saboted slug designed for a rifled barrel. The Remington slug I mentioned above is far and away a more accurate deer round at 75 yards and over.

One thing I have wondered about though - does the cantilever scope mount isolate the scope better from the shock & vibration of using heavy recoiling slugs or does it focus the shock and vibration, maybe behaving similiar to a tuning fork?

Anyone care to comment?