Tired of being out-gunned

G

GBTX01

New member
I have gotten involved with Three gun competitions. I am doing well at holding my own in the Rifle/pistol stages but I'm getting my @ss handed to me on the Shotgun stages. My current set-up is a Mossberg 590 with full length stock and pistol grip, Ghost Ring sights and side saddle. It shots fine with slugs but it does not have a choke. Most of the competitions set their steel targets heavy and I am not able to knock down the steel at longer ranges and end up having to transition to pistol. I have decided that I need to upgrade.
As I see it I have three options. First, get a new 20" barrel with Chokes. Second, get a smith to ream out my current barrel for chokes. Three, get a new gun.
The problem with option #1 is that the only 20" choked barrels I have found all have ribs. Which,I think, will make it non-compatable with my current ghost ring set-up.
#2 seems like a lot of work and probably will cost me a pretty penny.
#3 I am always looking for a reason to add a new gun to my collection. If I did I am thinking about getting the Rem 1100 Competition Master. I've gotten to shoot them a couple of times at the matches and they are very nice.
Anyone who has had a similiar situation your advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Not a shotgun expert, but I'm under the impression having Vang Comp do their magic on your 590 would do well to tighten up your groups which should help you knock down those plates.

My only experience shooting plates competitvely is with a '97 shooting SASS 12 years ago so take it with a large handful of salt.
 
I have tried Winchester Heavy target 6-7.5 and Remington HV 6-7.5
I have even tried buckshot. In an attempt to beat the system last time I kept 3" turkey loads in my side saddle for those hard to knock down targets. It worked but I definately felt the recoil of that one.
I think that I am going to just wait till Christmas and go get that 1100 CM. I can't find a gunsmith around here who will thread my current barrel and Mossberg only sells a 28" barrel with chokes because it is their 8-shot model. I've gotten the validation that was required to get a new gun. I appreciate the help. ;)
 
You could backbore the bbl to get some choke. The Mossberg bbls are rather thick so you can probably open up the bbl from the breech to about 2-3" from the muzzle enough to get any choke that you want as well as reduce recoil and pellet deformation. But it won't be cheaprer that the threading for choke tubes.
Vang backbores, lengthens the forcing cone and ports the bbl with his proprietory pattern. Most people that have them say that they are great. He charges around $250(?) on your bbl. I am not sure if the backbore reduces recoil as much on the Mossberg as it does on the Remingtons because the bore on the Mossberg is closer to a 10 than a 12 to start with. The longer forcing cone also reduces both the recoil and the shot deformation. I know a very good tactical shotgun instructor that says he can do head shots with 00 to around 25Yds. I have lengthed the port and ported my 870, but not backbored it. It is a standard cylinder choke and I would hesitate to try a head shot at much over 10 yards and then I would hold off so the pattern would center around the ear.
The options are as unlimited as your checkbook. Jim

PS: the Vang system reduces recoil enough to create feeding problems on some self loading guns. I have talked to some Benelli and 1100-1187 owners that had to fiddle with loads, etc to get a dependable load that would fully cycle the gun. I guess the recoil operated actions have the problem, Any added weight (loaded side saddles, etc) on the m90 Benellis can cause the probelm. Good luck and check with the smiths like Vang to get the straight scoop.
 
Tamara nailed it...

Have one of the better Smith's , Briley, Nu-Line,Carlson, Hastings, etc.... advise and install screw in chokes. Whle they have it they will use a bore gauge, to get YOUR bore diameter, and check the forcing cone, the forcing cone may need to be tweaked as well.

Tell them what you want to do, and tell them the ammo loadings you need to / what you use.

I betcha 30 POC to YOUR bore dia....will do it. I won't be off 3 POC either way - I bet. I like the chokes that are avail in 5 POC increments.

I recommend the external knurled chokes. Protects the muzzle from dings...and them darn wrenches are a pain to keep up with. I " finger tight" mine. :)
 
I had my cylinder bore 18" 870 barrel threaded for chokes. I use a modified choke, which still allows me to shoot slugs. The pattern that I get with Remington Reduced Recoil 8 pellet 00buck is amazing.

It cost me $40 to get the barrel threaded, but the gunsmith is a cop that gave another cop a break on the price. It's normally around $80 in my neck of the woods.

I'd love to get a new shotty and use a combination of chokes and back boring. I bet that would produce some sweet groups.
 
Hornady TAP's

Got 4 boxes (5 rounds each) for $2.50 per the other day. Groups from my 870 cyl bore about 1/3 the size of Fed 00, PLUS MUCH LESS RECOIL!!!!!!!

Don't know about the knockdown power, but "every action has an equal and opposite reaction"!

Had a critter snarl at me tonight when I put the dog out; lite it up with the mag light at 45-50 yards and saw eyes but couldn't positively identify it. Now shotty has 4 rds of Hornady 00 next to the back door! We live in the country.

Try it, you'll like it!

Stay safe.
Bob
 
If you get a 20" vented, you can have the last inch or so of vent removed, and an XS or Sage front sight added to go with the ghost ring. My 1100 has this set-up on it. Works great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top