Range report: Mossberg 590 A-1 "Persuader".

Howdy folks.

As some of you remember, I recently posted that I had finally found a particular Mossberg shotgun that I had been looking to find for some time. It is the 590 A-1 Special purpose "Persuader". It is a 9-shot 12 ga, with a 20" bbl., and ghost ring sights. Some requested a range report, so here it is.

First off, let me say that it has been quite a while since I have shot anything but birdshot out of a 12 gauge. I shoot a lot of CAS, and while there is plenty of scattergunning going on, it is nothing like shooting rifled slugs and 000 buckshot!!!

I had forgotten how absolutely devastating a 12 ga. can be. I first decided to dial in the adjustable rear sight (ghost ring) by shooting rifled slugs at a distance of 50 yards. It took 7 slugs to get them hitting dead on at that distance. So far, the shoulder held up fine.

I moved up to 25 yards to shoot the 000 Buck. I was expecting a much tighter group with these shells at that distance. The 20" bbl. is "Cylinder bore", so I guess that didn't help the pattern much. The spread was about an 18" circle. 4 rounds of those were enough. My shoulder was now reminding me that this weren't no cowboy load that I was shooting!

I then walked up to "In the house" distance (about 30'), and shot what I had chosen for HD loads. #4 Buckshot. This consists of shells with 27 pellets in them. I shot 5 of them. The group size was about 7-8" across, and evenly spread. They kicked like a mule. I am typing with my left hand only at this point.

Overall, I am very happy with this shotgun. It seems to be built very strong, and there is no mistaking that the barrel is "heavy walled" as advertised. The extra barrel weight actually does reduce felt recoil, and keeps the muzzle rise to a minimum.

I have a renewed respect for the power of the 12 ga. when loaded with hard hitting ammo. I would reccomend the Mossberg 590 series to anyone looking for a tough HD shotgun. It could easily be used for hunting with slugs as well, as the sights make it easy to shoot POA out to 50 yards. I think it would have done well at a longer distance had I tried it.

Serious shotgun for sure!

WG840

Howdy folks.

As some of you remember, I recently posted that I had finally found a particular Mossberg shotgun that I had been looking to find for some time. It is the 590 A-1 Special purpose "Persuader". It is a 9-shot 12 ga, with a 20" bbl., and ghost ring sights. Some requested a range report, so here it is.

First off, let me say that it has been quite a while since I have shot anything but birdshot out of a 12 gauge. I shoot a lot of CAS, and while there is plenty of scattergunning going on, it is nothing like shooting rifled slugs and 000 buckshot!!!

I had forgotten how absolutely devastating a 12 ga. can be. I first decided to dial in the adjustable rear sight (ghost ring) by shooting rifled slugs at a distance of 50 yards. It took 7 slugs to get them hitting dead on at that distance. So far, the shoulder held up fine.

I moved up to 25 yards to shoot the 000 Buck. I was expecting a much tighter group with these shells at that distance. The 20" bbl. is "Cylinder bore", so I guess that didn't help the pattern much. The spread was about an 18" circle. 4 rounds of those were enough. My shoulder was now reminding me that this weren't no cowboy load that I was shooting!

I then walked up to "In the house" distance (about 30'), and shot what I had chosen for HD loads. #4 Buckshot. This consists of shells with 27 pellets in them. I shot 5 of them. The group size was about 7-8" across, and evenly spread. They kicked like a mule. I am typing with my left hand only at this point.

Overall, I am very happy with this shotgun. It seems to be built very strong, and there is no mistaking that the barrel is "heavy walled" as advertised. The extra barrel weight actually does reduce felt recoil, and keeps the muzzle rise to a minimum.

I have a renewed respect for the power of the 12 ga. when loaded with hard hitting ammo. I would reccomend the Mossberg 590 series to anyone looking for a tough HD shotgun. It could easily be used for hunting with slugs as well, as the sights make it easy to shoot POA out to 50 yards. I think it would have done well at a longer distance had I tried it.

Serious shotgun for sure!

WG840

The Ramones actually did a song called something like "Ol' Scattergun" that was an ode to the Mossberg 590 and 000 buckshot. Have to love a gun with its own theme song. Glad it worked out fairly well for you. If you hold it right and get a feel for it, the kick becomes not so bad.

I had it tucked in pretty good, and there is a generous recoil pad on this gun. It's just that I have not shot any real power loads in some time. I really didn't hurt myself all that much (I really am typing with both hands! ). It was a true reality check to remember just how powerful the 12 ga. can be when fed the right stuff. I would imagine that the 3" fodder would not be necessary, at least where HD is concerned.

WG840

Originally posted by Wheelgunner840:
I would imagine that the 3" fodder would not be necessary, at least where HD is concerned.

WG840

Click to expand...

For real fun, try a coach gun with two 3" buckshot shells and firing both tubes off at once.

I moved up to 25 yards to shoot the 000 Buck. I was expecting a much tighter group with these shells at that distance. The 20" bbl. is "Cylinder bore", so I guess that didn't help the pattern much. The spread was about an 18" circle. 4 rounds of those were enough. My shoulder was now reminding me that this weren't no cowboy load that I was shooting!

Click to expand...

Pretty typical for Imp Cyl. Can't remember, did you have choke tubes for this Mossberg? If you can choke down to full you will see that tighten up considerably.

Good report. Got me thinking about digging out my 500 and do some shooting myself.

I like the Mossberg, I have a Persuader but I think it is 18". I particularly like the ghost ring sights on it.

I thought I knew how to shoot a shotgun right up until the point I decide to take a couple combat/defensive shotgun classes. Very humbling experience - reloading and shooting on the move, accessing cover, shooting from cover, moving about in congested areas with that long boom stick in your hands, variable lighting conditions, yelling instructors, smoke from rounds fired, trying to stay focused on the target while fumbling the reload, short shucking the pump stroke, etc...

Two and a half words,
KNOXX COMP-STOCK.
My same 590 after an afternoon with full power stuff did become tedious. The stock really works, you just shouldn't run optics (unless long eye relief type) due to the stock having 1 to 3 inches of collapse capable springs and cams at work. A very user friendly overmolded rubber with pebbled texture and palm swell at the pistol grip.

A 590-A1 is my HD shotgun. It is stuffed with Remington 2 3/4 00 Buck, 9 pellets. Perfectly adequate for the intended task. Also allows me to squeeze an extra round in the magazine.

I do want one of those Knoxx Stocks though.

Wheelgunner840;

Good report. What slugs were you shooting that worked well? The only problem with my 590 is that I can't find a slug that is accurate at 50yds. Can barely keep them on an IDPA target at 50 yds.

Steve

+1 on actually going to the range and finding out what how your shotgun performs! Sure beats asking on some forum, "What load should I use in my HD shotgun?"

The indoor range I frequent is selling managed recoil buckshot loads. I have never used them, but they might be better in a home defense situation.

Originally posted by Bassamatic:

I moved up to 25 yards to shoot the 000 Buck. I was expecting a much tighter group with these shells at that distance. The 20" bbl. is "Cylinder bore", so I guess that didn't help the pattern much. The spread was about an 18" circle. 4 rounds of those were enough. My shoulder was now reminding me that this weren't no cowboy load that I was shooting!

Click to expand...

Pretty typical for Imp Cyl. Can't remember, did you have choke tubes for this Mossberg? If you can choke down to full you will see that tighten up considerably.

Good report. Got me thinking about digging out my 500 and do some shooting myself.

Click to expand...

IIRC, the 590 Heavy Barrel does not accept choke tubes.

Thank you for the report. I just purchased a 590 "special purpose" last week and am looking forward to trying it out. It came with the heavy barrel and ghost-ring sites and 8+1 capacity.

AS Spotteddog already mentioned, the Knoxx Comptstock reduces the felt recoil by over 50%. I have it on my 18" Mossy 590-A1. Knoxx makes other systems, check it out.

http://www.blackhawk.com/catal...otgun-Stocks,165.htm

Pete

That 509-A1 is an excellent shotgun. I've fired one quite a bit during qualification. I'd like to get one.

My 590 approves of Remington "Reduced Recoil" and regular Foster type slugs.
Three inch groups at 50 yards are possible with those in my gun.

I haven't tried a lot of other kinds just bought a bunch of Remingtons.

Nice write-up. Well done!

The HD shotgun at my home is a 20" ghost ring Mossberg 590 9+1. I have found that shooting full-power slug and buck is downright painful if you either (1) shoot from a benchrest position, or (2) don't raise your elbow up just above horizontal, or (3) load just one shell with an empty mag tube.

I took a photo of the pattern my 590 shoots with Federal "Vital Shok" Reduced Recoil 00 Buck w/ Flite Control Wad. This was at 25-yards standing, about a 4" x 6" pattern.



The recoil is stiff but not objectionable, and the pattern from a cylinder bore is awesome! The Flite-Control wad pulls off the rear of the shot column without peeling open, which really keeps the patten tight.



Hope you didn't mind my mentioning all this in your thread, Sir.

Dave (nitesite)

Originally posted by nitesite:
Hope you didn't mind my mentioning all this in your thread, Sir. Dave (nitesite)

Click to expand...

Are you kidding me? I love learning about new stuff. With all the new ammo designs, I learn something new every day. Not sure if I can handle the "Sir" thing though! I am usually called by names that would most likely get someone in trouble with the boss here!

I will definately look into getting some of those shells. Thank you Dave.

Bassamatic,
The barrel is cyl. bore, and will not accept choke tubes. For it's purpose, it really doesn't need a mod. or full choke.

Rundownfid,
The slugs that I had were all 2 3/4, and were older ones, that included Remington rifled slugs (green hull), Winchester, and Federal tactical (white/clear hull). All shot to just about the same POA.

I may look into one of those Knoxx-stocks, but I don't think a pistol grip stock is the best choice if one had a bayonet fixed to the end of the shotgun!

Thanks for all the replies and advice.

WG840

+1 on the Knoxx stock and Flite control Wad, guys. Those are two things that really work. I fired a 4" 15 yd. group with my 20" cyl. bore Ithaca Deerslayer yesterday with Fed. FCW. That gun donuts and scatters everything else. It drives tacks with slugs though, which brings up another point, someone wanted to know which slugs are accurate, Winchester 2 3/4" (prod. # X12RS I think) shoot excellent from my 20" 870 and Ithaca. As often as not, the shots touch each other at 50 yds. Brenneke K.O.s are just as accurate, but I use the Winchesters. They kick a little more, but they're made in America.