Mossberg 535 for Goose

[pccraig]

Have a very nice Mossberg 535 configured for Turkey. That is to say it only has a 20" barrel and a removable XFull choke.

I can't afford the 28" barrel that's available right now. Can I use this shorter barrel for waterfowl ?

And if so, what kinds of choke adjustments if any should I make ?

Thanks

 

[jordan1948]

Well I wouldn't suggest it but you have the XFull in and if your state laws are like mine you have to use steel shot for water fowl if this is the case then you'll need to check the choke to see if it says LEAD ONLY or not, best thing might be just search for the tightest choke you can get for steel, as for barrel length not quite sure I know most ppl try to get at least 28", I prefer at least 30.

 

[pccraig]

Thanks jordan1948

Appreciate the input on the chokes. I'll check that out.

For "recoil's" sake, I realize the 20" will be a bear !

I'm also wondering if anyone has any experience with a shorter barrel, and what kinds of results they had.

 

[chas08]

The 20 inch barrel will do allright. You see a lot more shorter barrels in the field these days. Steel tends to pattern tighter than lead and it is very important to not shoot steel through "lead only" chokes. Most are marked. Large steel such as T-shot patterns better in my goose gun with an I/C choke. BB or #2 steel patterns better with modified. Guns can be different though, so you really need to do your own pattern work. Good luck and happy waterfowling.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I used a 21" barrel for a few years on an 870, the overly publicized Frankenstein. With 3" steel BBBs and Ts, it worked over decoys but the blast was a bit much in a blind. Flash in low light was quite a show.

As to function, it worked and knocked them down nicely when I did my part. One does have to work a bit more keeping the swing going.

HTH....

 

[pccraig]

Thanks Dave,

I figured there'd be some issues with the swing / blast / & recoil. I just didn't want it to be a futile effort. I seem to do ok with the swing on the trap range, so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks again.

 

[pupchow]

Pat, how'd you make out with the turkey barrel? I'm in the same boat, so to speak -- 535 w/short turkey barrel, and want to use it for jumping geese (the pup's not trained yet). I picked up the Mod and Full Accu-Chokes, and a box of 3-1/2" Black Cloud #2. I'm hoping to pattern it soon.

 

[pccraig]

Pupchow

Wokes great for turkey with the Remington load and the XFUL choke it came with, and my 14yr old son dropped 2 pheasants with it this morning using a FULL choke and Fiocci 2 3/4" #6s.

But I don't think I'll try it for goose. I broke down and ordered the 28" barrel from Mossberg for waterfowl, didn't want to be an inconsiderate blind partner with the blast issues.

Let me know how that Black Cloud patterns.

 

[delta duck force]

blast issues...thats the whole deal right there. My hunting buddy just got into duck hunting this year with me and he uses his turkey gun also with a short barrel. It gets the job done but it is noisy. He can seemingly swing it faster than I can with a 28" barrel to get on the next bird. Try it, if nothing else at least youll scare the hell out of em. Waterfowling to me isnt all about killing. Its about hanging out with the boys and the dogs and drinking coffee all morning if we kill some thats just a bonus.

 

[pupchow]

So.... I finally got around to some patterning with the short barrel. Black Cloud, 3-1/2", #2. Run through a flush Accu-Choke in full, the patterns were too loose at any distance. When shooting through a ported Modified Pro-Factor choke, MUCH better patterns. And, all the way out to 60 yards. Not sure how much energy was retained out there, so I might have to see what I can come up with as a means of testing that.

I'm quite happy with the performance of the Pro-Factor choke, and wish I had a Full tube to test -- I got the 3-pack, which only has IC, MOD & XX-Full. The Accu-Choke was relatively worthless. I'm going to purchase a Full Pro-Factor and some more shells for testing, as I'm also going to use this setup for night time coyote/fox hunting.

I've used the turkey barrel with the Mod Pro-Factor tube to take a couple of pheasants with Remington Nitro Pheasant 2-3/4 #4. No problem with longer shots due to my slow reaction time.

 

[MCgunner]

Stick a modified choke in it, buy some 3" BBs or hevi shot, and go hunting. This gun is a 3.5"? You might consider 3.5" Ts if so. I hope they're decoying well when you go, though, LOL, if you're using BB. Ts and hevi shot will give you close to 20 yards more thump in my experience. The 20" barrel will work just fine. I have a 24" on my goose gun. Well, it's really a turkey gun, but I couldn't get the 32" and I prefer the shorter barrel, anyway. Mines a 10 gauge and I shoot T shot out of it with a modified choke for 90% plus patterns in a 30" 40 yard target. Generally, a modified lead choke will work bets for a full choke pattern in steel, but it always helps to pattern the load if you have time.

My 12s all have 28" barrels, but my 20 SxS is a 20" coach gun and has no problem reaching out 40 yards with good patterns on dove. There's not a lot to lose by using a 20" gun if you can swing it smoothly. That's the catch, the gun will balance a little closer to you and might be a little whippy on steady flying geese. You gotta resist the urge to point shoot and follow through with your lead. I sometimes have to concentrate pretty hard on that if I'm rusty.