12ga Question

[GaryW]

Hey now,

I was looking at a possible HD weapon, a 12ga shotgun, I am looking at both the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 590. I'd like to find out what other users have tried and liked/disliked...

If you were to use such a gun what would you choose as a shell, birdshot, .00 buck, .000 buck or a slug? I'm thinking that birdshot has a wider spread but I am not sure, better minds will be smarter than I on this.

Any suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated !!!

 

[Billsail]

00 or 000 is what I use. Birdshot doesn't have the energy of larger shot and the pattern is not any bigger at self defense distances. It will kill you at close range however. I would consider 0000 as well, but I only see that once in a blue moon.

I prefer the Remington, but the Mossberg is a fine shotgun, and equally up to the task.

 

[GaryW]

00 or 000 is what I use. Birdshot doesn't have the energy of larger shot and the pattern is not any bigger at self defense distances. It will kill you at close range however. I would consider 0000 as well, but I only see that once in a blue moon.

I prefer the Remington, but the Mossberg is a fine shotgun, and equally up to the task.

I'd like to be able to pick up shells from wherever. I can get shells in Freedom and other places. I haven't seen 0000 buck at least recently.

A more common shell will work better so I can better used to shooting it at my range and not having to hunt high and low. Perhaps a combo slug/shot would work. I just sent an email to Mossberg about what they recommend in a 12ga. This is going to be a SD gun - my place in Maine is very remote and we do get wild animals and wild thieves. Go figure.

Thanks Bill!

 

[Mike-Mike]

The main differences between the 2 shotguns is the safety location. If you are right handed it is simply a preference. If you are left handed the Mossberg wins every time.

Loads: This depends on the layout of your house, proximity to neighbors etc. #4 buck is as small as I would go. There are plenty of Low recoil 00 and slugs out there.

Many instructors will disagree with what I am about to say. Most will tell you that you want to shoot whatever ammo groups the tightest in your gun.

IMHO That is BS. It's a shotgun. I would look for 8"-12" group at the maximum distance you would have to shoot. For instance if you measured your Bedroom and Hallway and came up with 31' then I would pattern the gun at that distance. You will most likely find that your group is far tighter that you want at that distance. Either way, you need to try many loads in YOUR gun.

Good luck.

 

[GaryW]

The main differences between the 2 shotguns is the safety location. If you are right handed it is simply a preference. If you are left handed the Mossberg wins every time.

Loads: This depends on the layout of your house, proximity to neighbors etc. #4 buck is as small as I would go. There are plenty of Low recoil 00 and slugs out there.

Many instructors will disagree with what I am about to say. Most will tell you that you want to shoot whatever ammo groups the tightest in your gun.

IMHO That is BS. It's a shotgun. I would look for 8"-12" group at the maximum distance you would have to shoot. For instance if you measured your Bedroom and Hallway and came up with 31' then I would pattern the gun at that distance. You will most likely find that your group is far tighter that you want at that distance. Either way, you need to try many loads in YOUR gun.

Good luck.

Thanks Mike. I am right handed but I know certain Mossbergs are ambi in the safety location. I think the Serbu Super Short 12ga has an ambi safety.

The trouble is that at home it's tight but in Maine it's wide open so it's a matter of finding a "happy medium" shell. I need to try out a number of the #4, #7 and possibly 00 buck and also maybe 000 buck. I think 12ga slugs might be a little more than I need. But they might be fun at the range.

 

[Mike-Mike]

cation
Thanks Mike. I am right handed but I know certain Mossbergs are ambi in the safety location. I think the Serbu Super Short 12ga has an ambi safety.

The trouble is that at home it's tight but in Maine it's wide open so it's a matter of finding a "happy medium" shell. I need to try out a number of the #4, #7 and possibly 00 buck and also maybe 000 buck. I think 12ga slugs might be a little more than I need. But they might be fun at the range.

#4 Buck (27ish pellets) is not #4 shot (200ish pellets). Keep that in mind. Stay away from any birdshot. #4 Buck meets the FBI standard in ballistic jell and Is a great load for HD in many situations. Just don't confuse it with #4 Shot.

Also, You don't need to find the happy medium shell. At home you may find that Remington #4 Buck is the load and when you are in ME you can load up Federal LE 00Buck with flight control wads that may give you the 12" pattern at 50yds. Also, with a pump you can load a trail mix of rounds in there if you choose to.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Like Bill indicated, both are fine shotguns. I have the 870 and a Mossberg 500B that I've updated to be a 590 replica. Overall you can't go wrong with either. If you're a bells and whistles kind of guy, the 590 has more stuff on her.

I use 00 buck and slugs in mine for home defense and alternate them in my tube with the buckshot first.

 

[DrNVP]

I use 00 buck and slugs in mine for home defense and alternate them in my tube with the buckshot first.

why?

slugs are good for precision shots and barrier penetration. If you are ever in a situation where you need that capability, having a mixed load is only going to cause you to lose track of what type is in the chamber and what type is next.

Better to keep the tube loaded with buck and side saddle with slugs. If you need a slug, you can perform a slug change-over. Alternatively, you can just keep your tube downloaded by one. If you need a slug, simply load from the side saddle and into the tube, then chamber it. A second slug can then be loaded into the tube, so you have 2 slugs ready to go if need be.

 

[FSTC]

IMO you shouldn't have an HD shotgun.
You should have a high quality flashlight with a shotgun attached.
An older maverick 88 makes a great gun. It's a Mossberg with a crossbolt safety.
00 buck in the mag. With slugs and extra buckshot in the side saddle.
You light can be positioned and focused to just inside your pattern. (meaning if you have the target lit, then the pattern will cover it) adjust for the 'maximum' distance you may take inside.

 

[daddybld]

At home you may find that Remington #4 Buck is the load and when you are in ME you can load up Federal LE 00Buck with flight control wads that may give you the 12" pattern at 50yds. Also, with a pump you can load a trail mix of rounds in there if you choose to.

+1 to this. I am very impressed with the flight control wad by federal.

- - - Updated - - -

Better to keep the tube loaded with buck and side saddle with slugs. If you need a slug, you can perform a slug change-over. Alternatively, you can just keep your tube downloaded by one. If you need a slug, simply load from the side saddle and into the tube, then chamber it. A second slug can then be loaded into the tube, so you have 2 slugs ready to go if need be.

A big +1 to this.

For what it is worth, I find disassembly more preferable on the 870 than the mossberg.

 

[RoterTeufel]

First, what are you planning on using it for? I personally have a Mossy 590A1 Special Purpose w/ the speed feed butt stock, which allows extra ammo to be stored in the stock (4 rounds total). The Mossberg 590, from what I've been able to find, does not have an interchangeable barrel, so if you want to go beyond a 20" barrel & shoot clays w/ your buddies, you'll need another gun. However, it is tight & maneuverable & takes the (felt) recoil well - it is no light weight. Also it is an open choke (as in there is none). I'm a right handed shooter - dunno what mike-mike is talking about as to the preference towards a lefty (cocking?). Works fine either way.

I have shot the 870 on the trap field, it has options for different barrels, which I wish i looked at, but grabbed the 590 used.

For home defense I have 00 buck. Used to have #4, but upped it to the larger 00 after seeing the damage difference. I even use #7.5 bird shot when i shoot clays - a lot of guys use #8 or 8.5 (the smallest legal i think ?), but I am of the mind set:

a single hit is what i want (its a shot gun, which spreads out), so I also want a larger load to be able to hit my target & if only 1 hits, I want it to count!

YMMV

 

[TayNinh_66]

Mechanically, i thought the 870 was very solid, but I went for the 590, based on styling and safety location.
I use 6 or 7 bird shot. I am in the city and I don't want to blow my neighbors out of their beds at 2am. Buck will penetrate walls.
In ME, I would agree with FSTC, 00 Buck in the tube, slugs in the saddle.

I also agree with FSTC about the light. I'd rather have my 200+ lumen light and my snubbie for a close quarter confrontation.