Mossberg 535 for Turkey?

baddarryl · February 11, 2012, 12:04 AM

What yall think? I have a Rem 1100 2 3/4 with a 28 inch mod barrel on it. I am thinking the Turkey version of the 535 would be a worthy improvement considering the 3 1/2 chamber and shorter barrel. I like that it is a pump too. Anyone have experience with these? Thanks.

Or maybe a Benelli Nova Pump?

natman · February 11, 2012, 04:14 AM

The 500 has a 3" chamber uses a standard 12 ga barrel and standard Invector/Winchoke/Accuset chokes. The 835 has a 3.5" chamber uses an overbore barrel and larger AccuMAG chokes.

The 535 has a 3.5" chamber but uses a standard 12 ga barrel. I've never understood the point of this setup while the 835 exists. I suspect you'd get better patterning with an 835 if you are going to shoot 3.5".

Or you could save some money and weight and just get a 500. IMO, if a turkey is so far away you can't cleanly bag him with 2oz of shot, he's just too far away.

Here's my turkey 500, model 522263:

customaquatics · February 11, 2012, 07:49 AM

ya im using my Mossy 500 next year for turkey.

baddarryl · February 11, 2012, 08:22 AM

Well I hunt the Eastern woods, so distance not often an issue. Will that 835 shoot the 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells too?

shortwave · February 11, 2012, 09:24 AM

Have just never seen the need of the 3.5" for turkey hunting.

When the ultra, super-duper 3.5" came out and we were being hammered with all the marketing/advertising hoopla from all the major shotgun manufacturers that the 3.5" (insert your fav. brand) was a 'must have' for turkey hunting, many guys I know went out and bought a 3.5" chambered shotguns. Today these same guys either got rid of the 3.5"'ers or went back to shooting 3" or 2 3/4" shells out of them.

They found out you just don't need to absorb the punishment shooting the 3.5" versus the 3" or 2 3/4" turkey loads to kill a turkey.

matthew261 · February 11, 2012, 10:01 AM

I agree with Shortwave...for me the 3.5 is just overkill. For that matter, every time I'm duck hunting or turkey hunting with 3s I often remind myself of all those birds that met their demise on the wrong end of 2.75s.

Pattern your favorite 12ga before setting out and you'll bring home the groceries.

baddarryl · February 11, 2012, 10:50 AM

So a plain ol 500 set up for Turkey would be a fine option too right? Not a die hard guy as it is, I may get lucky to get out there 2 or 3 times a season.

matthew261 · February 11, 2012, 12:24 PM

"So a plain ol 500 set up for Turkey would be a fine option too right?"

Absolutely! Just make sure you pattern it with the loads you'll be using and at varying distances. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be confident by the time you're ready to squeeze the trigger.

shortwave · February 11, 2012, 01:26 PM

Quote:

So the plain ol 500 set up for Turkey would be a fine option too right?

Yep!

Get you a full or extra full(turkey choke) and pattern your shotgun with different Brands and number shot using a turkey target aiming at mid neck area of target. I usually pattern out to 40yds. Use the shot that patterns most hits in the head/neck area.

Some loads with the extra full turkey choke will shoot out to fifty yds. or so. The downside to them is if the turkey comes in right on top of you, you'd better aim well.

Just check your max. range and stay within that range.

eeksplee · February 11, 2012, 06:05 PM

Benelli Benelli Benelli Benelli. Mine has been great. No issues at all. Had a 535 that had cycling problems. The Benelli is also a better build.

customaquatics · February 11, 2012, 06:07 PM

why spend a $1k when a $150 mossberg 500 can do the same thing?

baddarryl · February 11, 2012, 09:13 PM

Saw a very cool 535 ATS turkey/waterfowl combo at Dicks for $400 tonight. Very tempting considering my 1100 can't tolerate steel. Anyone have that?

On the lines of this if my 28 inch mod barreled 12ga is good enough for ducks I probably don't need to spend the extra $$ on a combo. Rem 1100 shoots 2 3/4 shot. I have to shoot the non steel ammo through it. Thoughts on this too?

February 11, 2012, 12:04 AM	#1
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	Mossberg 535 for Turkey? What yall think? I have a Rem 1100 2 3/4 with a 28 inch mod barrel on it. I am thinking the Turkey version of the 535 would be a worthy improvement considering the 3 1/2 chamber and shorter barrel. I like that it is a pump too. Anyone have experience with these? Thanks. Or maybe a Benelli Nova Pump? Last edited by baddarryl; February 11, 2012 at 12:14 AM.

February 11, 2012, 07:49 AM	#3
customaquatics Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2011 Location: illinois Posts: 678	ya im using my Mossy 500 next year for turkey. __________________ 23 year old NRA member AKaholic #158907 , 1942 Ex-Sniper Izzy Mosin Nagant, 1970's Marlin 30-30, Remington 870 tatical, Charter Arms The Pink Lady 38 Special.

February 11, 2012, 06:07 PM	#11
customaquatics Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2011 Location: illinois Posts: 678	why spend a $1k when a $150 mossberg 500 can do the same thing? __________________ 23 year old NRA member AKaholic #158907 , 1942 Ex-Sniper Izzy Mosin Nagant, 1970's Marlin 30-30, Remington 870 tatical, Charter Arms The Pink Lady 38 Special.

February 11, 2012, 09:13 PM	#12
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	Saw a very cool 535 ATS turkey/waterfowl combo at Dicks for $400 tonight. Very tempting considering my 1100 can't tolerate steel. Anyone have that? On the lines of this if my 28 inch mod barreled 12ga is good enough for ducks I probably don't need to spend the extra $$ on a combo. Rem 1100 shoots 2 3/4 shot. I have to shoot the non steel ammo through it. Thoughts on this too? Last edited by baddarryl; February 14, 2012 at 12:20 AM.

February 11, 2012, 04:14 AM	#2
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,607	The 500 has a 3" chamber uses a standard 12 ga barrel and standard Invector/Winchoke/Accuset chokes. The 835 has a 3.5" chamber uses an overbore barrel and larger AccuMAG chokes. The 535 has a 3.5" chamber but uses a standard 12 ga barrel. I've never understood the point of this setup while the 835 exists. I suspect you'd get better patterning with an 835 if you are going to shoot 3.5". Or you could save some money and weight and just get a 500. IMO, if a turkey is so far away you can't cleanly bag him with 2oz of shot, he's just too far away. Here's my turkey 500, model 522263:

February 11, 2012, 08:22 AM	#4
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	Well I hunt the Eastern woods, so distance not often an issue. Will that 835 shoot the 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells too?

February 11, 2012, 09:24 AM	#5
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Have just never seen the need of the 3.5" for turkey hunting. When the ultra, super-duper 3.5" came out and we were being hammered with all the marketing/advertising hoopla from all the major shotgun manufacturers that the 3.5" (insert your fav. brand) was a 'must have' for turkey hunting, many guys I know went out and bought a 3.5" chambered shotguns. Today these same guys either got rid of the 3.5"'ers or went back to shooting 3" or 2 3/4" shells out of them. They found out you just don't need to absorb the punishment shooting the 3.5" versus the 3" or 2 3/4" turkey loads to kill a turkey.

February 11, 2012, 10:01 AM	#6
matthew261 Member Join Date: February 9, 2012 Location: North Alabama Posts: 49	I agree with Shortwave...for me the 3.5 is just overkill. For that matter, every time I'm duck hunting or turkey hunting with 3s I often remind myself of all those birds that met their demise on the wrong end of 2.75s. Pattern your favorite 12ga before setting out and you'll bring home the groceries.

February 11, 2012, 10:50 AM	#7
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	So a plain ol 500 set up for Turkey would be a fine option too right? Not a die hard guy as it is, I may get lucky to get out there 2 or 3 times a season.

February 11, 2012, 12:24 PM	#8
matthew261 Member Join Date: February 9, 2012 Location: North Alabama Posts: 49	"So a plain ol 500 set up for Turkey would be a fine option too right?" Absolutely! Just make sure you pattern it with the loads you'll be using and at varying distances. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be confident by the time you're ready to squeeze the trigger.

February 11, 2012, 06:05 PM	#10
eeksplee Junior Member Join Date: November 18, 2011 Posts: 12	Benelli Benelli Benelli Benelli. Mine has been great. No issues at all. Had a 535 that had cycling problems. The Benelli is also a better build.