Mossberg 500 Question

[vstar1300]

I purchased a Mossberg 500 12 gauge field model
with a 28 inch ported barrel. I am new to shotguns.
It appears to have two notches on the choke.
Since I purchased it used I'm not 100 percent sure
as to what chokes were installed either at the factory
or by the previous owner. I now know there are basically
5 different types of chokes. I also purchased shotgun
shells all 2 3/4. My concern is with knowing for sure that
I have the correct barrel type to use (lead or steel) shot
the correct choke and the correct shell type to use since
all three from what I understand have to be correct
So you don't damage the shotgun, the barrel, the chokes,
and of course avoided inflicted bodily injury. How
do I go about resolving these questions? Also all of
my shells are 2 3/4. Some shells are 00 buck and some
birdshot and target loads. Could someone please explain what
I need to do in order to be safe in regards to the questions I asked?
Thanks in Advance

[R L Suehr]

I purchased a Mossberg 500 12 gauge field model
with a 28 inch ported barrel. I am new to shotguns.
It appears to have two notches on the choke.
Since I purchased it used I'm not 100 percent sure
as to what chokes were installed either at the factory
or by the previous owner. I now know there are basically
5 different types of chokes. I also purchased shotgun
shells all 2 3/4. My concern is with knowing for sure that
I have the correct barrel type to use (lead or steel) shot
the correct choke and the correct shell type to use since
all three from what I understand have to be correct
So you don't damage the shotgun, the barrel, the chokes,
and of course avoided inflicted bodily injury. How
do I go about resolving these questions? Also all of
my shells are 2 3/4. Some shells are 00 buck and some
birdshot and target loads. Could someone please explain what
I need to do in order to be safe in regards to the questions I asked?
Thanks in Advance

Good puchas for a first shotgun IMO, My first 12 gauge was a 500 and I now have 2 500's and a 835. The two notches on the choke are for the wrench to remove it. If it didn't come with it you can pick one up at any LGS and they should be pretty cheap. I know that 500 should have come from the factory with three chokes (full, modified, and improved cylinder). You will have to remove the choke to see which it is it should say on it. The mossberg 500 will handle any shot steel or lead you can fire through one. Steel is harder on the barrels I believe but unless you plan on hunting water fowl there is no need two use it. You didn't state on what you plan to do with this gun so if it didn't come with multiple chokes you should probably see which one it came with and get different ones for whatever it is you intend to hunt. If you want to us this for home defense I would also look at getting the 18 1/2 inch barrel for it. They switch out very easily and it makes the gun alot more manuverable in close quarters. One more thing if you plan on hunting with this make sure it has the magazine plug installed. This looks like a dowl rod and is removed from the front of the magazine with the barrel off. Hope I answered your questions I'm sure someone else will post anything I missed.

[Fighting_Fool]

The only way to know for sure is to use a choke tube wrench to pull the choke. IIRC Mossberg actually prints Full, Modifided, etc. on the side of the tube itself. The notches MAY or may NOT follow the pattern of

1= Full
2=IM
3= Mod
4=IC
5=Cylinder

As for the use of steel shot, you should be OK. The practice of producing factory ported Mossberg 500s is fairly recent (less than 20 years old IIRC) which would be after the 1991 ban on lead shot for hunting waterfowl. Ergo, your 500 is probably new enough to handle steel shot. YMMV

[WoodWorker]

I think the only one you have to worry about it is the XFull Turkey Choke. That one has "Lead only" imprinted on the outside of the choke. Copper-plated or nickel-plated lead shot is fine with that choke, but not steel or hevi-shot.

Congrats on the 500! I just went through this a couple of weeks ago myself. What are you planning on using the 500 for?

Best regards,
-Dave

[jeepin]

Welcome to the forum. As others have posted so long as you are putting shot through the gun the choke on it should be fine.

Do a Google search for shot gun choke, there is a lot of good information on the web.

The 500 is a great gun, I have two and really enjoy them. Break down and cleaning are pretty simple. Good you tube vids will show you step by step

[vstar1300]

I think the only one you have to worry about it is the XFull Turkey Choke. That one has "Lead only" imprinted on the outside of the choke. Copper-plated or nickel-plated lead shot is fine with that choke, but not steel or hevi-shot.

Congrats on the 500! I just went through this a couple of weeks ago myself. What are you planning on using the 500 for?

Best regards,
-Dave

.


I think where I'm at with this after reading the various posts in relation to my
question is that I need to get a choke wrench first for the Mossberg 500.
Since after reading the various posts in reply to my original question one
of the posts mentioned that even though I have two notches
on the choke, I shouldn't assume that two notches is associated with a
particular choke type and the definitive way to know which choke I actually
have is to use the choke wrench and remove the choke from
The barrel. And of course that choke type should say on the side of the
choke the actual choke type. I purchased the 500 used so I didnt
receive the three chokes that come from the factory with a new
purchase like the one post mentioned. And being new to the shotgun
world so to speak I haven't memorized all the choke types and all
the various particulars that come with shotgun shell choices. And needless
to say the manufacters assume a persons knows the particulars before they
purchase shotgun shells. The Devil is really in the details although I have
been researching these topics on the web. To answer your question my
application is for Self Defense and I've considered possibly hunting Turkey.
My experience with firearms goes back to when I was enlisted when
I was in the US Army many years ago. And at that time my experience was
military weapons (M16 M60) I never owned or received any training on shotguns
and their various applications. Obviously there are a myrid of choices when it comes to shotguns.

[R L Suehr]

A good shotgun is possibly the most versitile weapon on the planet IMO. A simple change of loads and twist of the barrel or choke and you can go from HD to turkey ot waterfowl to small and large game. If I could only own one gun it would probably be the exact one you just bought. Like I said above for HD use I personally would spend the extra $100 bucks on a shorter 18 1/2 barrel when you have it. It is a lot more manuveral. The 28 inch barrel is longer than a lot of turkey guns but I hunted them with mine and it worked great. As far as shells go try a couple different brands of 00 buck for HD use I prefer federal 2 3/4 inchers they don't have an excessive amount of recoil and work extremely well. I also like the Winchester PDX shells but for practice these are pretty pricey to be hammering through at the range. For turkey loads I used Federal 3 inch turkey mags and an extra full turkey choke. These seemed to pattern the best out of my 500 and the recoil while not pleasant wasn't punishing at all. I've moved on to 3 1/2 turkey loads and a dedicated shotgun for them as well but I took my first gobbler and a couple jakes with this setup. Hope you find this useful and good luck.

[francis j]

im not an expert
heres the recomendations from shotshell web sites







Doves, pigeons, and woodcocks
6, 7 ,8
Modified
Improved Cylinder




Turkey
4, 5,6
Full
Extra Full




Pheasants
4, 5, 6,7
Improved Cylinder
Modified
Improved Modified




Ducks
BB, 1, 2
Modified
Improved Cylinder
Improved Modified




Geese
BB, 1
Modified
T, BBB,
Improved Cylinder




Quail
7, 8
Modified
Improved Cylinder




Trap
7, 8
Full
Modified




Skeet
8, 9
Skeet Choke
Improved Cylinder


Sporting Clays


7,8,9


Any Choke depending
on the practice you want

note no steel larger than #4 through a full choke
be sure your choke is ok for steel

00 buck i wouldnt go tighter than mod

[WoodWorker]

Vstar,

Everyone I talked to and everything I read said you can't go wrong with a 500. Then by chance I came across a used deal that I couldn't pass up!

The barrel should have the gauge and shells you can use stamped onto it (2 3/4" and 3" for mine), and the choke should have a similar marking. Did you get a chance to see what's imprinted on yours?

As long as you follow what's printed on them, you might not be optimal for Home Defense or Turkey or whatever, but you should be safe, which was your original question.

Best regards,
-Dave