Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Does anyone use the Mossberg 500 .410?

I was thinking of getting a pump .410 and I was looking at the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870. I have used and owned 870's in the past. I have no experience with Mossberg. What are your opinions?

My pal has one of the 500's in a .410. It is a blue grouse killer for sure..

It looks like a neat little shotgun.

My father-in-law has one that he uses during early squirrel season. Works great while the leaves are still thick in the trees. Aim it like a rifle and you won't shoot up the squirrels.

I sold one that I shouldn't have...

I agree, they're nice little shotguns.

My thoughts were squirrel and rabbits early season. Did he ever shoot a slug or buckshot through it? I thought it may also double as a home defense gun for the wife.

He didn't, but my wife's grandfather shot slugs out of his Stevens 311 with great success. For home defense, I would use the ammo designed for the Taurus Judge. There are some very effective loads out there.

Thanks.

I've got the 500E. Nice little shotgun, use it mostly for chipmunks and red squirrels that get into the barns. Something that surprised me, it will shoot around an inch at 50 yards with the brenneke 3" slugs. Only problem is I needed to pound each of them out of the chamber after firing, those things are loaded hot! None of the other big name brand slugs shot this good.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/55...ifled-slug-box-of-5?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Good to know. Thanks. How did the other brand of slugs shoot?

Riley has a 500 in 410... it is far from the slickest and neatest shotgun in the house...

My dad has one he traded for when I was in diapers. It was supposed to be my gun but by the time I was big enough for it to fit I was using real shotguns to great effect. I have shot some doves with it and it is less than ideal for anything but possibly squirrels or some such. It's choked like a rifle for one, the forend rattles like a Ford hubcap with a handful of gravel in it, and the stock is much too straight for me. It feeds and functions okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one unless it was nearly free.

Does that mean it is upstairs, and the Browning Citori collection is in the basement?

I had one of the synthetic stocked 500Es for several years; sold it not long ago to fund a 16 ga 11-48 that I was craving and will probably use more than the .410.

Mine is an exceptionally nice Winchester 42, modified choke, that I picked up at a gun show about fifteen years ago. My first thought was for grand kids until prices started climbing.

My granddaughters are tall anyway, so the ten year old is already using her aunt.'s 28. Daughter and SIL have a place managed for birds and game. It is a dove heaven.

Last opener, I decided to take the 42 along with my Superposed 20 Pigeon Grade. Doves were thick. I broke out the 42, stuffed it with #8.5 clays loads and went to work. Actually, my skills have slipped with scatter guns over the years, but my kill ratio with the little .410 was just about even with the 20. It has been a long time since I had that much fun shooting dove. I just passed on the long shots.

Of the two you mention, the 870 Wingmaster would be my pick. I think most of us could find a place for a nice 410. My testing of shot shells tells me that the clays load mentioned penetrates pine boards better than the 3" shot, plus it patterns better.

Enjoy,

Jack

Thanks for the post. I may try and find the Wingmaster. I got to see one of the Mossbergs up close and I wasn't impressed. The Wingmaster is about twice the money, so I will keep looking the used gun rack and see if I can find something at a reasonable price.

I've taken a three bird limit of wild pheasant, but now it's been taken by my daughter. Bunny thumping machine, best used with an inch of freshsnow!