Mega loads in 500

[Denver]

Will my Mossy 500 last very long if I am always shooting 3 inch slugs through it? I derive sick pleasure at the rifle range with such loads but man, it shure seems hard on the gun.

[wildog8812]

Why a 3" inch slug why not a 2 3/4" low recoil riffled slug?

Just curious not trying to come down hard on you.

[Denver]

A few reasons:

Longer range and I actually enjoy the recoil, it really brings the whole shotgun experience to a head for me and my girlfriend loves the extra man factor and the bruise on my pec when I get home.

In all seriousness, the best thing about a shotgun is it's versatility. You can use the whole gun range with one gun. Starting out with the manual traps with #8, then over to the tin can range with 00 to blow up some old water bottles and then a finish up at the rifle range with slugs. This affords a varying and challenging experience at the local gun range.

[M9er]

A few reasons:

Longer range and I actually enjoy the recoil, it really brings the whole shotgun experience to a head for me and my girlfriend loves the extra man factor and the bruise on my pec when I get home.

In all seriousness, the best thing about a shotgun is it's versatility. You can use the whole gun range with one gun. Starting out with the manual traps with #8, then over to the tin can range with 00 to blow up some old water bottles and then a finish up at the rifle range with slugs. This affords a varying and challenging experience at the local gun range.

You bruise from using a shotgun? Your peck? What? Im lost. My local civilian range really dosent like shotgun use with 00 or any type of Buckshot, I have no idea why? The indoor range isnt any fun because of the target's getting blown off their braces. If you shooting at Laguna Seca do they have you shoot in a pistol lane?

[Denver]

Los Altos Rod and Gun Club, buckshot and slugs on tin can and rifle ranges, #4 or smaller on traps.

I guess I am not broken in yet but after 100 rounds of birdshot and 50 rounds of slugs and buckshot I am a little sore the next morning, but it is a good sore.

Mossberg says their 500 is made to shoot 3"er slugs and I enjoy them at the range, just wondering if the gun would hold up for long.

I agree that 2.75" is good for normal applications.

[fullrearview]

I have shot countless through mine....Not one single issue.

[ponderosa]

I have an older 500, bought it what...15 or more years ago? Got me, but I shoot a lot of heavy loads in it, both 2 3/4 super x's and 3" magnums. I get bruised up as I have a fleshy shoulder and well, it does let you know you're alive but they, the shotgun and the shoulder, have held up well over the years.

[Kahouna]

An even better pounding can be had with the 835 and some good turkey loads. I've shot a bunch of rounds through mine, but the 3.5 turkey loads remind me I have a Super X2.

[M9er]

Los Altos Rod and Gun Club, buckshot and slugs on tin can and rifle ranges, #4 or smaller on traps.

I guess I am not broken in yet but after 100 rounds of birdshot and 50 rounds of slugs and buckshot I am a little sore the next morning, but it is a good sore.

Mossberg says their 500 is made to shoot 3"er slugs and I enjoy them at the range, just wondering if the gun would hold up for long.

I agree that 2.75" is good for normal applications.

Hornady TAP 00 Buck red hull, best stuff around cost $2 a shell but perfect patterns. Nice and tight patterns. 3 inch #4 express is a kicker, I got a Spec Op's stock for my 20" parkerized 500. The Spec Op's is great for slug's and 3 inch shell's

[mcubed4130]

I've lost count how many 3" magnum slugs I've shot in my 500... a guess would be in the low thousands range.

As for shoulders... Limbsaver is my favorite add on to any gun, Knoxx SpecOps or Compstock (now Blackhawk) being 2nd favorite.

-M3

[an actual gun]

What do you mean by "it seems like it's hard on the gun"? Are you noticing anything in particular doesn't seem right? If so, inspect it and get back to us with your findings. But the shotgun is designed to take 3" shells, there should be absolutely no problem. The 500 has a 3" chamber in it, and like any firearm from a non-junk manufacturer made in the last 50 years or more, the weapon is rated to handle specific psi levels for the cartridges it's intended to fire.