A little help with 12ga. ammo

[HELLSING]

I never really took my Mossberg 500 to the range with me because of the pistol grip only handle. But today I replaced the grip with a recoil stock + grip and it's quite comfortable to shoot now.

Anyhow, what are the types of ammo for it I should start to acquire? All I have now is some 00 Buck, and the Federal target loads. This will be for range use mostly, the 00 Buck is for home defense in case the need ever arises.

 

[Rule3]

Ammo depends on what you want to do? Hunt, shoot clay birds??

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

What kind of range work? Punching paper or breaking clays? If breaking clays any cheap target/multipurpose load in #7-12-#9 shot works just fine. #9 is a bit on the small side for longer range shots you may encounter in trap or sporting clays however.

For paper, I'm not too keen on shotguns and paper, but you can practice with slugs and you 00 buck to pattern it at varying ranges. Bird shot I think is pretty useless on paper unless patterning chokes cause it shreds targets fairly quickly.

 

[kwselke]

I generally use mostly heavy dove loads for clay target use as well as dove hunting. 12 gauge 2 3/4" 1 1/8 OZ in either 7 1/2 or 8 shot. I've used Remington, Winchester, Federal, and Estate and generally just buy whichever is cheaper.

 

[NYlakesider]

Shoot what target type loads you have at want you want. Save the 00 stuff for serious things that go bump in the middle of the night. Of course you got to practice with the 00 stuff to get used to its kick and general uses!

I have a Mossie 590 12 gauge with a nine round capacity. I load it to fire first 5 rounds of 00 backed up by 4 slugs with a bandoleer type belt next to it with lots more rounds handy. NOTE I have no close neighbors and over penetration is not a concern with either 00 or slugs.

I wanted a do anything gun as I live out in the woods a bit and we have bears and other nasty critters around in addition to marauding humans. Do to long distances, no cell phone area, LEOs assuming we could even call for help could be a long wait.

 

[walkin jack]

I generally use mostly heavy dove loads for clay target use as well as dove hunting. 12 gauge 2 3/4" 1 1/8 OZ in either 7 1/2 or 8 shot. I've used Remington, Winchester, Federal, and Estate and generally just buy whichever is cheaper.

7 1/2s and 8s work well on sporting clays as well. Lots of fun and great practice for the real thing.

 

[venomballistics]

this is kinda like asking what to put in the back of an F150.
shooting trap?, part of a HD strategy? Pest control? Auto repair?
We'd like to buy a vowel Pat

 

[Tenn2]

I have always felt that 7 1/2s were about as universal as you can get. Good for clays and you can also use it for HD. At room distances you would not need much more than that/

 

[kozmic]

I too have a Mossy 500 as my HD rig. I take it out back every once in a while and fire whatever I have on hand down range (usually that same 2-3/4" # 7-1/2 and 8 as everyone else). I will toss in a few 00's just to experience the feel and understand the pattern at home defense distances onto paper plates and targets.

Unless you have a special need, I think you're 100% on track now!

 

[Rule3]

this is kinda like asking what to put in the back of an F150.
shooting trap?, part of a HD strategy? Pest control? Auto repair?
We'd like to buy a vowel Pat

Around here, any kind of lawn equipment. You are now a lawn maintenance expert, throw in a ladder and pole saw and you are a arborist.

 

[model70hunter]

For plinking on the range as those above suggested get the cheapest in 7.5 or 8 shot which is also the best to bag small birds.

If you think you might want a few boxes for hunting # 4 or # 6 works great for rabbits or Squirrels.

For Turkey use #4 or # 6 in heavy loads like 3" if you gun is so chambered.

For Ducks or geese you'll have to use steel or heavy shot. Find a local Duck hunter to get the best size for your area.

Buckshot;
00 Buckshot is a 32 caliber round lead ball, big and heavy, it has the potential to penetrate walls in your house and a neighbors house if you have close neighbors. It has potential collateral damage, your kids or neighbors.

0 "Ought" Buck is a 30 caliber ball and still pretty dangerous. See above.

#4 Buck, a long time ago a game outlaw who is now long deceased in my hometown used #4 Buckshot to reduce the deer count. From what I heard it was deadly.

#4 Buck and the 20 gauge shotgun. When I was with the Sheriff's Dept a City PD officer responded to a call and ended up having to use his 20 gauge Model 37 Ithaca with #4 buck. It was instant and terminal. I saw the body. Lots and lots of holes.

For years I kept an old Mossberg in the closet loaded with #4 Buck.

 

[chief38]

If you have no Kids in the house and are not closely situated next to other homes, I would use 00 buck for home defense. If there are over penetration concerns, #4 Buck might be a little better.

For general practice and familiarization with the shotgun at the Range, #8 low brass (usually can be found on sale as target or small game loads) is the way to go. Just make sure you fire a magazine full of what you are loading for home defense so you know what to expect.

 

[Duster340]

Over the last 30+ years I have fed my 500 a variety of loads. I use light 7 1/2 - 8 shot for skeet, 5-6 Hi-Brass shot for pheasant, squirrel & rabbit, 3" 5-6's for turkey And foster style slugs for deer (they group surprisingly well out to 75 yards from my 24" smooth bore w/rifle sights.), and 00 as the old home defense stand by. If I had time to grab just 1 piece, my trusty old 12 ga Mossy 500 would be it.