New Shotgunner with Questions

[Baron]

I'm new to Shotguns and Firearms in general and I have a few questions...

I just recently recieved a side by side 12 gauge Stoeger Uplander and I started trap shooting. My wife was too scared to fire my Stoeger so she used my buddies Mossberg 500. I've always wanted a Mossberg so I tried it too. His didn't kick as much as my double, So I went out and purchased one that came with a 18.5" barrel and a 28" vent ribbed barrel. I plan to use the 28" barrel for shoot'n Trap, but I wanted to shoot some targets with slugs as well on the same day.

My question is... Is it okay to fire rifled slugs out of the 28" smooth bore barrel? If so, will it make for better accuracy with the longer barrel, or should I just fire slugs out of the 18.5"?

I'm picking up my 500 this weekend and going shoot'n on the same weekend
Any help would be much appreciated...


Here's a video from our last time out... It's a little grainy, but it does the job...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhJ_M_SD4lU

[DedEye]

My question is... Is it okay to fire rifled slugs out of the 28" smooth bore barrel? If so, will it make for better accuracy with the longer barrel, or should I just fire slugs out of the 18.5"?

As far as I know, firing rifled slugs out of a smooth bore is just fine, just make sure you don't have a choke on it.

[WokMaster1]

That's one nasty bruise on her arm. Nice range. Next time see if you can get closer with the camera.

[L-2]

Baron, for your 28" barrel, use the improved cylinder choke tube instead of the other two (full; modified) if shooting slugs through the longer barrel.

Whether it makes for better accuracy or not, I'll await your response once you've tried it. Theoretically, with a longer sight radius, the longer barrel should be more accurate, however, you'll be shooting slugs with a bead sight and a relatively light gun, which throws some people off.

[mcubed4130]

My question is... Is it okay to fire rifled slugs out of the 28" smooth bore barrel? If so, will it make for better accuracy with the longer barrel, or should I just fire slugs out of the 18.5"?

I purchased the same Mossberg 500 - combo, with 18.5" cylinder bore (smooth), and 28" vent ribbed (improved choke) - last year. Love the gun.

The following link, explains that shooting slugs from a smooth or improved choke - are both fine things to do.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Articles.asp?a=Ammo/Choke-Tubes-Explained&Meida_id=20

Myself, I can make sub 4" groups with my 18.5" barrel (bead sights) at my local indoor range, at 7/10/15/25 yards with no problem.

But to properly answer your question. Longer barrels provide better accuracy, higher muzzle velocity, and slightly lower noise to your ears. But truly either barrel will be fine for slugs.

-M3

[Baron]

Thanks guys
Great link too... Answered my next question. What exactly is choke and what does it do?...
But thanks to that link... Now I know, and knowing is half the battle

Yeah my wife got the bruise after her second round of clays... right around 40 or so shots and the Shotgun got low on her. Instead of bracing on her shoulder it rested on her bicept.... That picture was just later that night, you should have seen it the next day. It got about twice that size.
I told her I bet you won't do that again...LOL

I'm gonna try and get a better video next time.

Now my next problem is if I should or not install the Knoxx Sidewinder kit I purchased, before I shoot, or after... I'm kinda leaning towards after, just so that I can get a feel of the Gun "Bone Stock" save for the ATI tactical stock I'm gonna add. I want to add the stock to make the gun easier to swap between my wife and I... Seems how she won't touch my double barrel

I already have all the accessories I'm gonna add sitting in a pile in my house just waiting for my 500...

Here's everything just wait'n to be added:
-ATI Tactical Stock (M4 style) and Pistol Grip
-Aimtech Scope Mount
-A1 Red/Green Dot Sight
-Mossberg marine coat heatshield
-Sidewinder conversion w/ 3 6rnd box magazines

Now I just need to keep an eye out for someone selling the 10 rnd drum for the Sidewinder at a reasonably low price...LOL