I was wondering if the spread will be that much different on a shorter barrel than it would be with the stock 26 inch barrel. I am planning on doing some hunting and was wondering if I should still use 00 Buck shot or just Slugs since the barrel is shorter now?
2006-11-29 19:14:10 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
P.S. There is no choke on the 18.5 inch barrel.
2006-11-29 19:36:58 · update #1
I have a Remington 870 with interchangeable barrels, the 18" one is for slugs and has rifle sights on it.
2006-11-29 19:26:45 · answer #1 · answered by Sean 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming you're hunting deer via the 00 buckshot? Make sure buckshot's legal in your area....it's not here in WI. I can tell you from experience in trap and target shooting that you would be wise to buy a longer barrel, they're not that expensive. Your patterns on shot and your accuracy with slugs will be borderline hideous with that barrel if it's not fully rifled or at least choked. I've noticed an incredible difference between even a 26" barrel and a 30" or 32" with lead shot. I can't imagine you getting any kind of grouping shooting slugs out of that thing and God knows we don't need any more wounded game running around. Peace.
2006-11-30 01:45:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately use slugs, I also have mossberg 500 with a 18 inch smooth bore slug barrel. It shoots great groups with slugs out to 100 yards. I once tried to pattern buck shot through it just to see the spread pattern and it really sucked not very good past maybe 30 to 40 yards max. My stock 26" barrel puts about 2-3 pellets into a paper plate sized target at 75 yards using remington 3" magnum 15 pellet 00 buckshot shells.
2006-11-30 00:55:09 · answer #3 · answered by Jon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 18.5" Mossberg is my most farorite gun. It is a fine slug gun to at least 75 yards, though I try to rarely shoot longer than 50 at anything other than paper. That Cylinder choke barrel though won't give you good performance with Buckshot beyond 20-30 yards, it just isn't designed to.
Remember though that Mossberg makes a variety of barrels for this gun for different purposes. If I were going to hunt say, Deer with slugs, with a 500, I'd buy the 21" rifled slug barrel that comes with rifle type sights. It can be had for a hundred bucks or so and will give you all the range and accuracy that your slugs are capible of. Then I'd keep that 18.5 on it in the closet at home for just-in-case, loaded with buskshot.
And if you decide later you want to hunt birds, you can get a ported 28" barrel with changeable choke tubes for everything from Skeet to Super-full-choke Turkey hunting to Steel Shot Duck hunting.
2006-11-30 05:02:43 · answer #4 · answered by Ohari1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 18.5" barrels are designed primarily for home defense or tactical use, they are made to shoot buckshot and get rapid pattern expansion. They will shoot good groups with buckshot out to 20 yards or so, with no choke they will not hold a pattern much further than that. Your best bet would be to shoot rifled slugs. Remington Sluggers, or Winchester rifled slugs have always worked well for us. But sights are another consideration when shooting slugs. With just a bead your accuracy will be limited. If you are serious about hunting with that barrel, getting some additional front and rear sights would be beneficial. I have a 24" rifled barrel on my Mossberg.
2006-11-30 01:28:54 · answer #5 · answered by beare85 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spread will depend mostly on the type of choke your barrel has. A full choke barrel will have the tightest pattern. Of course the 26" or longer bbl. will have a tighter group at longer distances I believe. Depending on the choke you might want to load up some 00 buck and try it on paper at different distances to see how well it patterns for what you'll be doing. If it's not to your liking then yeah go with the slugs.
2006-11-29 19:24:47 · answer #6 · answered by Barry DaLive 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you hunting Deer I hope?
THe 18" barrel is made more for slugs I guessing. Probably doesn't have choke tubes.
I'd use the 26" if you are planning on using buckshot. Full Choke for tighter patterns at longer distances... I wouldn't shoot over 50 yards with buckshot.
2006-11-30 01:30:53 · answer #7 · answered by Michael D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
assuming hunting with an 18.5" barrel is legal in your state...(it's 20" here though you can own them with 18"). the best solution would be to go buy a 20" slug barrel and shoot slugs for deer. but the regular beaded short barrel would be OK with slugs or buckshot at appropriate ranges.
2006-12-03 03:55:34 · answer #8 · answered by legrandchat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mossberg 18.5 Barrel
2016-11-02 11:08:19 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mossberg 500 18.5
2016-12-15 08:55:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋