First Mossberg 500 Session

MichaelJay · August 26, 2002, 09:49 AM

This past weekend my wife and I were able to get out and enjoy my new Mossberg Shotgun. It is a Persuader model, 20" smooth bore barrel, pistol grip, parkerized.

I used the information given to me when I was looking to purchase on how to get acquainted with my new SG. We replaced the pistol grip with a shoulder stock, for comfort and consistency. We got two of the bulk packs of Winchester and Federal from Walmart, 100 shells @ $15.98 each. Some butcher block paper and firing strips from Home Depot.

We setup by yardage: 7, 12, 15, 25 and 50. Overall the pattern seems to be an oval, majority of the pellets landing centered left and right and squished top to bottom, center a ragged hole about 2x3 inches. As the distance grows out to 25 yards, it becomes more egg shaped. Narrower at the top, even distribution in the bottom 2/3rds, center was a hole about ½ x 3/8 inch. At 50 yards I was useless. I don't know if I it was bad aiming, landing short, too much cross wind or what, but there was very little on the paper to mark my attempts.

Well that was informative and necessary, but hardly the fun a person would associate with a warm afternoon and shotgun. Soooo we put the pistol grip back on, out came the tin coffee cans, AOL CDs (we knew we would find a use for them!), and various other things to "blast."

Four hours, two hundred shells, two sore shoulders and a bunch of debris to clean up marked our first outing with this fine shotgun.

Lessons learned:
1.We would have been very frustrated to shoot for "fun" without the patterning first. We knew where the bulk of the shot was going to go.
2.The shoulder stock is preferable for "learning" to place shots. Trying to hit the 15 yard target with the pistol grip from the hip was amusing to watch, but really not very practical.
3.We stuck with a limited ammo brand selection to try to keep things consistent.
4.Next time we'll try some other brands of shells or different loads.
5.A little extra padding on the shoulder would make Monday morning a happier experience.
6.We wore eye and ear protection. We fired it once without the ear protection and even outdoors it is loud.
7.Even out in the country, on private property, the deputy sheriff will eventually find you. If he is a hunter, he'll give you tips and then tell you to be careful and have a fine day.
8.A pad of paper and pencil are indispensable when recording shot information and and what the pattern looks like.
9.Plan enough time to make the experience enjoyable. This same activity at a range where you pay by the hour would have made us rush. We went down and looked at each shot and planed the next one.
10.Rapid fire is a relative term with a shotgun.

Thanks for everyone's assistance in selection and tips for getting to know the capabilities of the Mossberg 500.

Michael.

Poodleshooter · August 26, 2002, 11:16 AM

Quote:

At 50 yards I was useless

At 50 yds, everyone using a cylinder bored shotgun with birdshot is useless.
If you want to shoot that far, better get the shorter magazine tube, and a Mossy accu-choke barrel with a full choke tube.

Dave McC · August 26, 2002, 03:18 PM

Sounds like a fun and informative day, Michael.

Kudoes for cleaning up.

50 yds is well past where a cylinder bore works best. Full and Extra Full are good long range chokes.

As for rapid fire, a few more range sessions will find you amazing yourself. The Archives contain some fun and effective training COFs that'll definitely wind your clock.And that Mossie will smooth up some with use, and you'll speed up with the practice.

AOL discs? Good idea!!

I do suggest doing fewer rounds each session, and more sessions. 50 each is a nice starter.

Also,a hand trap and case of clays is lots of inexpensive fun. One throws, one shoots.....

August 26, 2002, 09:49 AM	#1
MichaelJay Member Join Date: June 21, 2001 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 49	First Mossberg 500 Session This past weekend my wife and I were able to get out and enjoy my new Mossberg Shotgun. It is a Persuader model, 20" smooth bore barrel, pistol grip, parkerized. I used the information given to me when I was looking to purchase on how to get acquainted with my new SG. We replaced the pistol grip with a shoulder stock, for comfort and consistency. We got two of the bulk packs of Winchester and Federal from Walmart, 100 shells @ $15.98 each. Some butcher block paper and firing strips from Home Depot. We setup by yardage: 7, 12, 15, 25 and 50. Overall the pattern seems to be an oval, majority of the pellets landing centered left and right and squished top to bottom, center a ragged hole about 2x3 inches. As the distance grows out to 25 yards, it becomes more egg shaped. Narrower at the top, even distribution in the bottom 2/3rds, center was a hole about ½ x 3/8 inch. At 50 yards I was useless. I don't know if I it was bad aiming, landing short, too much cross wind or what, but there was very little on the paper to mark my attempts. Well that was informative and necessary, but hardly the fun a person would associate with a warm afternoon and shotgun. Soooo we put the pistol grip back on, out came the tin coffee cans, AOL CDs (we knew we would find a use for them!), and various other things to "blast." Four hours, two hundred shells, two sore shoulders and a bunch of debris to clean up marked our first outing with this fine shotgun. Lessons learned: 1.We would have been very frustrated to shoot for "fun" without the patterning first. We knew where the bulk of the shot was going to go. 2.The shoulder stock is preferable for "learning" to place shots. Trying to hit the 15 yard target with the pistol grip from the hip was amusing to watch, but really not very practical. 3.We stuck with a limited ammo brand selection to try to keep things consistent. 4.Next time we'll try some other brands of shells or different loads. 5.A little extra padding on the shoulder would make Monday morning a happier experience. 6.We wore eye and ear protection. We fired it once without the ear protection and even outdoors it is loud. 7.Even out in the country, on private property, the deputy sheriff will eventually find you. If he is a hunter, he'll give you tips and then tell you to be careful and have a fine day. 8.A pad of paper and pencil are indispensable when recording shot information and and what the pattern looks like. 9.Plan enough time to make the experience enjoyable. This same activity at a range where you pay by the hour would have made us rush. We went down and looked at each shot and planed the next one. 10.Rapid fire is a relative term with a shotgun. Thanks for everyone's assistance in selection and tips for getting to know the capabilities of the Mossberg 500. Michael. __________________ "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." - George Orwell

August 26, 2002, 03:18 PM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Sounds like a fun and informative day, Michael. Kudoes for cleaning up. 50 yds is well past where a cylinder bore works best. Full and Extra Full are good long range chokes. As for rapid fire, a few more range sessions will find you amazing yourself. The Archives contain some fun and effective training COFs that'll definitely wind your clock.And that Mossie will smooth up some with use, and you'll speed up with the practice. AOL discs? Good idea!! I do suggest doing fewer rounds each session, and more sessions. 50 each is a nice starter. Also,a hand trap and case of clays is lots of inexpensive fun. One throws, one shoots.....