First shotgun: lots of questions.

Thomme said:
Now, back to the topic of my questions: I've been reading up on chokes. And can anyone here who shoots really tell the difference between Cylinder, Skeet, Improved and Modified while skeet shooting?
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Most definitely! As a Skeet newbie, you probably won't notice the difference between cylinder, Skeet and improved cylinder chokes. (You won't need to buy a cyl choke if you get a Skeet) But an experienced comp Skeet shooter can tell the difference by the way the targets break. Also, they can tell if their loads are slower or faster than they're used to. Many Skeeters have several versions of Skeet chokes available that differ by only a few thousandths of an inch. My comp Skeet chokes aren't labeled by name, like field chokes, but are marked by their reduction in ten-thousandths of an inch. The shooter will change his chokes for optimum target breaks depending of the conditions of the day. If you're having trouble seeing the targets, or there's some wind you may open your gun to get a little broader pattern. If everything is working perfectly, you may want to tighten up for better breaks. Different ammo may require slight choke adjustments, too. The comp shooter doesn't just want to shoot a 100-straight, he'd prefer a 100 inkballs when conditions allow. There's an old saying among comp shooters: I'd rather have a sloppy 100-straight than 99 ink-balls; but, in their true hearts, everyone is after 100 vaporized targets.

I should mention, all of this choke fine-tuning is usually in the smaller guns, the 28-ga and .410-bore, where a few thousandths makes a huge difference. The 12 and 20-ga guns hit Skeet targets so hard you don't need to mess with your chokes. Some folks complain that good 12-ga Skeet gun has such a huge, and uniform, kill zone that it's hard to tell if a good break was centered or off by 6-inches or a foot. An off-center a good break with a 12-ga would frequently be lost with a .410!
 
Probably ImpCyl (improved cylinder) is as open as you'll want to go with your choke tubes. A touch of choke will help even out birdshot patterns most of the time. Usually it works well with slugs too, and with the better loads of buckshot as well.

http://www.wildfowlmag.com/tips_strategies/shotgun_062304/

http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_chokes.htm

http://www.colonialarms.com/pdf-files/page7.pdf (these folks used to be located in my old home town of Selma, AL, and I still use them whenever I need shotgun barrel work done)

And how good a deal you got depends on the used gun market in your area, which seems to vary a good bit pricewise from state to state. Some places do seem to be a good bit less expensive for used guns than others. From the pictures, in this area the price you quoted is pretty much in line with going prices for similar guns. Main thing is, if you're happy with it, it's a good deal. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you- just enjoy it.

As to using the gun for home defense, it'll work fine from a barricaded position. If you don't have to move it around in the house it doesn't much matter how long it is. But there are lots of 18" Mossberg 500 barrels out there, if you want shorter. Just look for an inexpensive used one.

hth,

lpl
 
turns out the stock is completely stable. That "crack" is actually just a peice of wood that fell off and was rejoined to it. So. The stock is structurally sound and the screw in the stock was loose. Once I tightened it back up, it was perfect! Bless it.
 
Thomme,
Advice...
If that trigger group seems hard to remove with the 2 pins out... loosen the stock bolt a few turns...
Upon reassembly, a simple flat washer or 2 will prevent this from reoccurring.
Brent
 
Sounds like you have your gun all figured out and ready to go. A good deal on a gun or anything else is one that you are happy with. A 500 will serve you well as any other similar gun all you need now is ammo and time to shoot it. Good luck : Bill
 
Oh, I have time to shoot it. Once it stops snowing. And I've got 50 rounds of S&B 00 Buck on the way, as well as 200 rounds of Winchester #9 target rounds.

Thanks for the help and advice.
I'll be going with a Skeet, Mod and Full as my three chokes for now. Down the road I'll probably pick up an 18.5" barrel and heatsheild for it (for HD, but I really don't plan on doing that anything soon). Maybe get a slug barrel and scope at some point.

Don't plan on hunting, but if I do decid to, I think this Mossy 500 is the best thing I could have in Il.
 
fired off 75 rounds today. No misfires, two FTEs, no FTFs and I shoot trap terribly. about 37/75 with only two or three clean breaks. Shoulder hurts like hell, though, and that was with light target loads. Gotta try some 3" shells soon.
 
Shoulder hurts like hell, though, and that was with light target loads. Gotta try some 3" shells soon.
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Why??? If light target loads hurt a lot, 3" will hurt that much more. It seems your gun does not fit you properly and subsequent abuse will only lead to a great flinch. It appears some adjustments are necessary
 
I've been pampered, prior to this, I've shot mostly semi-auto 1100's, so I'm used to a shotgun that doesn't kick AT ALL. Way I see it, I just gotta learn to hold it tighter and keep it cupped in my shoulder. I gotta not be a pansy, is what it comes to.
 
Something isnt right!:confused: My daughter was shooting 150 12 ga target loads in a day when she was 12 without issues. either your fit is wrong or your not doing something right. You are really looking for abuse if you go to 3" shells when your target loads beat you up!
 
well, the "I gotta use 3" shells was more of a "beating my chest" type deal. The fact is: it's (literally) the first time I've shot a pump action since I was 10 (and I'm 23). So I don't know how to handle it. With 1100's, I was fine. But, I'll learn to deal with the shotguns with 2 3/4 and 3" shells and I'll learn to shoot skeet and trap and handle a shotgun.

And, maybe your 12 y/o is tougher than me. I am a wuss.
 
looks like somebody stained the stock aftermarket. I think it looks pretty cool, if not a little crude. You did ok. The crack in the stock isn't a huge deal, it's pretty hairline. It may getn worse overtime, but so what? the gun is NOT a beaut, but that's exactly WHY it IS a beaut. take it out and shoot it until either your trigger finger hurts, you're slipping and falling on spent hulls, or the gun actually become voiced by Gilbert Gottfried and screams at you to stop. A new stock isn't going to cost anywhere near 86 dollars if you look hard enough. NHothing wrong with synthetic either, it is a lot cheaper and a lot durable.


That said, I prefer wood as far as looks and feel and have it on some of my guns.
 
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