Mossy 500 v/s 835

[erik the bold]

First time posting but long time reader........ Going to purchase new shotty before deer season, and looking at the following two combos from Mossberg.

Combination #1
p/n 52143 - 12 ga Model 500 - Mossy Oak New Break-Up camo finish, 12 gauge Pump Action 2-barrel COMBO, synthetic stock, ported 24" Fully Rifled Trophy Slugster® barrel w/ integral scope base and a camo matching 28" VR Accu-Choke barrel with 3 choke tubes and dual-comb stock

Combination #2
p/n 62414 - 12 ga Model 835 - Mossy Oak New Break-Up camo finish,12 gauge Pump Action 2-barrel COMBO, w/ DUAL-COMB® synthetic stock, ported 24" VR, Overbored Accu-Mag barrel w/ adjustable Fiber Optic sights and an ‘Ulti-Full’ turkey choke tube plus a ported 24" fully rifled Trophy Slugster® barrel with integral scope base.

Use is mostly deer hunting and occasional clay targets in the back 40. We're starting to see a lot of turkeys in my area so that may be thoughts for the future as well. I've got a 20ga Mossberg 500 that has provided excellent service, and was also used to bag that first buck, but that's kinda been taken over by the lil' woman for now. I'm looking for opinions, good or bad on the above two choices, as well as a good inexpensive scope. How 'bout it you experts.........

 

[Dave McCracken]

Either one will do the job. The 835 has a skosh more versatility with the 3 1/2" shell capability.

Cheap scopes and shotguns go not well together. Spend the bucks and get a Leopold....

 

[WhiteKnight]

If you can afford it, you might look into a Mossberg model that you really want, and then an additional NEF Tracker slug gun (they only cost about $105 and come with open sights and a rifled barrel).

 

[mons meg]

If $$$ is not that important, I would go with the 835, since it was basically built to be a turkey gun. I believe it also shares its action with the 590 and would be more durable as a result. Ditto on the 3.5 inch chamber.

 

[adaman04]

I have both the 500 and the 835 and I like them both. For deer, turkey, etc. I would recommend the 835. I recently bought a Remington 870 and I think I am going to sell the 835. It is a great gun, I just don't really need the 3.5" wallop. It is parkerized/synthetic with the 28" ported barrel. Darn good gun.

 

[HSMITH]

The 835 is far and away a better shotgun than the 500, no comparison is even possible. The ONLY way I would steer someone toward a 500 instead of the 835 would be if they were smallish in stature and could not comfortably run the slightly longer pump throw of the 835. The 835 is a darn good shotgun, the equal of the 870 and the 590. The 500 is a workable gun, but not in the league of the 870, 835 or the 590.

I do have one gripe with the 835, I dearly hate ported barrels on hunting guns because of the added noise they present to the shooter who is almost always without hearing protection while hunting.

 

[skeetlover]

835

Im not sure if you have made your choice yet, but I highly recommend the 835 I love mine and its a blast to shoot. I know Smith said the only person he would not recommend the 835 to is a smaller person, but I am 5'6 and 125 lbs and it shoots great for me, I shoot the thing pretty darn well too, at times the 3.5 inch chamber can be a pain to pump when shooting 3 doubles on report on the skeet field although If you've had enough sugar with your breakfast you don't even know your pumping the gun

The gun can also be quite heavy sometimes at 7 3/4 lbs, but thats the only complaints from me. Otherwise a great indestructable gun its a pump, it will go forever. Plus the 3.5 inch is fun to play around with when the opportunity arrises. The overbored bbl is a good factor too, but make sure you do not shoot slugs out of your overbored bbl. The slug will bounce around in your overbored bbl. Only shoot them out of the designated "slug" bbl.

Good Luck
Mark

 

[erik the bold]

Thanks for the great information......... If I can scrape up the cash, I'm going for the 835.

Any suggestions for a scope suitable for deer in the 100 yd or closer range with this piece?

 

[Dave McCracken]

I like Leopold scopes very much. The 2 1/2X shotgun scope is nigh perfect for this.

High power is more of a hindrance than help where I hunt. Long shots are those over 50 yards. I use a peep.

HTH....

 

[skeetlover]

Scopes

Hmm scopes, so many options. I would first say what kind of environment you are shooting in, and what kind of reticles you like. I really don't even know where to tell you to start. Like Dave said Leupold does have nice shotgun series scopes. Also post your price range for scopes, and hopefully with that info I should be able to help you choose a good scope. Also a website to check out is www.swfa.com they have great rifle scopes for great prices well worth a look, I bought a Bushy 3200 from them.

 

[erik the bold]

I found a (deal?) on a Simmons 800865 ... $129

AETEC 2.8-10x by 44mm wide angle with lighted reticle: http://www.simmonsoptics.com/page6_7/SimmonsPage6_7.html

My deer hunting is typically confined to open field from ground blind, range 30-80 yards. The deer around here don't stick around much after sunup in the morning and usually don't come in until dusk in the evening. Figured I'd use mostly at lower magnification levels, but the lighted reticle would help in lower light conditions.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[skeetlover]

Stay far far away from simmons/tasco/bsa scopes, spend the cash and get a scope that will hold a zero and have quality clear glass. You get what your pay for in scopes, and you can't shoot anything you can't see. Leupold,Bushnell,Burris,Nikon,Weaver is the way to go. Check out Bushnells 3-9 firefly's.

Mark

 

[erik the bold]

Update

Just ordered a Mossberg combo #62414 and Nikon 2-7x shotgun scope. Combo was a good deal (I think at just under $370) Will post a review maybe after receipt and some plinkin'