Question for MOSSBURG 500 RIFLED SLUG BARREL USERS
Question:
> > > > Got a new trophy slugster pump, is it normal for the spent > > > shell to start to eject after firing? It’s like it unlocks and > > > the shell and action move back 2 inches from the > > > recoil. Also what sabots are printing best for you?
Try this… Take the gun unloaded (remember to treat it as if it is loaded though), snug the gun tightly into your shoulder (like your ready to fire a magnum or slug load) and dry fire it. I’ll bet the forearm is pulled back because your front hand is pulling the gun into your shoulder! The locking mechanism on most (if not all) pumps is controlled by dropping the hammer. Whether or not the cartridge fires is of no consequence. –Ken
Response:
Hmmm–live and learn! I had NO IDEA my 500 was supposed to pre-eject a hull–I’ve shot slugs out of it for 7 yrs. now, without this happening (more on shell selection in a moment). I did have this happen with a 3" magnum turkey load the 28" barrel, and a Hastings Choke; I made 110% sure I didn’t touch the forestock on the next shot, and thought that it was just me.. Thanks for the info that Mossberg says this is OK. For slug guns I started with the old BRI slugs. If you have ‘em get rid of ‘em. Not that they’re not accurate, but that the alloy is too hard to kill a deer quickly. Pass throughs with no deformity have been known to happen–the deer dies, but it doesn’t drop right away. I’m shooting tight groups with Winchester 2 3/4" standard velocity loads; I tried the high velocity loads and found that the hull would jam in the barrel (just the opposite of everyone else’s findings with "auto ejecting"). Not good when you want a second shot in the barrel as you check on the deer. My groups run about 3" at 50 yds with a zero power red dot scope–and I don’t wear my reading glasses when I shoot. I’ve had about the same results with Federal sabots. In a rifled barrel DO NOT shoot Brenneke Rottweil’s. They’re made for smoothbore guns–ideally with IC chokes–and they don’t print well out of the Slugster. Figure on 8-10" at 50 yds, and figure they’ll pattern about a foot below the sabots, AFTER they break your shoulder. I used to use a 4X32 scope on my slugster but found that where I live the deer hit the heavy cover on opening day, and you don’t normally need to be able to center the crosshairs on a buck at 100 yds. (though I did kill a doe at 90+ yds a few years ago)–instead quick aiming and accurate groups at 50-75 yds are the key. Hence, my loads and my sight (and a Cabela’s leather Monte Carlo cheek pad for my OLDER model 500) are an optimal combo. Hope this helps.
Response:
Ken and Crew: Agreed (and seconding) with Ken–sandbag the pump, hammer a 3-in. slug, and when it ejects–or the receiver opens three-quarter, you’ll get the feeling there’s something semi-auto about the gun. Naaaah. It’s just physics working slightly faster than the human can observe. //Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Explation: > When the forearm/bolt comes back on its own, as described, it is > exhibiting momentum from the recoil, recoil that has ALREADY been > imparted to the forearm/bolt/slide assembly. As the gun slows down > against your shoulder, the momentum of the slide and bolt continue their > motion backwards, opening the action. > BUT before this happens, the forearm/slide/bolt exhibit INERTIA as > they resist the recoil and try to maintain motionless (the definition > of inertia). At this time the gun is moving backwards and the > mechanism stays in place, or in relation to the gun, moves FORWARD. > It is the forward action that unlocks the bolt. If this forward > action does not occur, the bolt does not unlock, as you can discover > by doing the simple test above. Since the backwards movement must > be preceded by the forwards movement, the gun cannot unlock > "too soon". > I NEVER had the bolt unlock "by itself" when trap shooting. I first > noticed this behaviour (safe, correct if startling behaviour) when > a friend shot my Mossberg. He’s a good pistol shooter, and tried > to translate his style. He pushed forward with his forearm to > resist the recoil, but pulled back hard with his pistol grip hand > for stability. Naturally, the gun started ejecting immediately > (though safely as you will see). He was startled and was afraid that > it was ejecting while the pressure was still high. I showed him > the thin plastic low-wall hulls and said, if it was ejecting > too soon, it would show it. > I showed him my style and it stopped doing that. > The only time the forearm comes back for me "on its own" is when I shoot > slugs from the bench. The bench rest bean-bag holds the forearm > forward under recoil, and then it unlocks. The gun lifts and moves back > against my shoulder, and as it slows from my body’s resistance, the > forearm/bolt assembly continues and partially opens. > This is not broken, it’s not a design flaw, it’s not a problem common to > the gun. It’s also not open to debate. If anyone contradicts this (I’m > so tired of some of these flame wars) I invite them to try shooting a > Mossberg with the forearm held back hard, as I described, first, BEFORE > posting. You’ll see it won’t unlock until you relieve the tension. > Or, take one apart and see how it really works. Just because it > never did it to you when shooting birdshot while standing, doesn’t mean > you know how it works, and that it won’t do it for you on the bench. > It’s not broken, it’s working fine. > Ken. > — > WWW: http://www.charm.net/~kmarsh | me that UNIX is too complicated.
Response:
> > Got a new trophy slugster pump, is it normal for the spent > shell to start to eject after firing? It’s like it unlocks and > the shell and action move back 2 inches from the > recoil. Also what sabots are printing best for you? > I have owned a rifled slug barrel for around 6 years > I have no explanation as all shots were at the same target range on the > day changing the firing order of the guns to assure fatigue was not the > cause. I have fired over 100 shells through each gun.
1. I own a Winchester Model 120 Ranger. I recently had it drilled and tapped for a scope and had a REMCHOKE system installed with which I can use a rifled Choke tube. I only sight my shotgun in at 65 yds as this is the maximum distance that I could legitimately shoot at a deer in the areas that I use a shotgun for hunting. 2. I find that the standard Remington Slugger, 2 3/4", 1oz slug grouped well at this distance. As a matter of fact, I had a 1.5 inch goup with all three holes actually touching. The Winchester Super X, 2 3/4", 1oz slug performed equally as did the Active slug of similar specs. 3. Slug performance dropped off dramatically at ranges of 75 yds and further. 4. My shotgun action opens at the shot as well. This is generally due to the fact that when the shell goes off, the action latch is freed allowing the shooter to work the action quickly to chamber another round. When I shoot the shotgun like a rifle, my left hand is on the forearm of the gun and the recoil seems to force the slide to move backwards. This is common amongst all the other shotgun hunters that with whom I am associated. 5. In response to the gentleman who found varying performance from each of the slugs at the range, shooter fatigue is probably one of the root causes of the inaccuracy. I find that shooting shotgun slugs produces abnormal wear on my ability to shoot accurately. 6. In addition to number 5, some of the slugs that you are shooting are simply ballistically superior to others as you shoot them from your specific firearm. The same is true for Muzzel Loading ammunition, Centerfire ammunition, Shot Shells and Pistol ammunition. Some ammunition simply works better in one firearm than others. BRABSTON
Response:
> > > Got a new trophy slugster pump, is it normal for the spent > > shell to start to eject after firing? It’s like it unlocks and > > the shell and action move back 2 inches from the > > recoil. Also what sabots are printing best for you? > —snip— > Hello! > No, it is not "normal" for the action to unlock by itself.
Sorry. On this one you are wrong. It’s perfectly normal for a Mossberg 500 to do this. >If the action opens by itself, something is wrong and you > should give Mossberg a call.
It will. Mine did. I wrote to Mossberg. They replied in a form letter that it is normal operation and that if you want to avoid it, simply put forward pressure on the forearm. The opening does not occur until after gas pressure has dropped to almost ambient level. My 500 will not open with lighter loads but it always will with heavy ones. With 3" slugs it will sometimes actually open and eject the empty. There are no signs of pressure and no case bulging. It isn’t unsafe and there’s no need to worry about it. The Elitist
Response:
Hi, There’s a lot of confusion and some smoke blowing. I’ve fired thousands of shots through my 500, have handled and smithed several more… > > Got a new trophy slugster pump, is it normal for the spent > > shell to start to eject after firing? It’s like it unlocks and > > the shell and action move back 2 inches from the > > recoil. Also what sabots are printing best for you? >No, it is not "normal" for the action to unlock by itself. Here’s a >little test: Fire the weapon one handed, i.e. keep you hand off the >forestock. If the action opens by itself, something is wrong and you >should give Mossberg a call. If the action doesn’t open (and I suspect >it won’t) then it is OK and there is nothing to worry about because >you’re pulling it open by the rearward pressure on the forestock.
If the disconnector was broken, you would KNOW IT! The forearm would strip the skin off of your hand as it recoiled backwards, the shell would eject like a bat-out-of-hell, it might even blow-out the side off the hull. The recoil on your shoulder would be two-staged instead of a solid thump. It would be a memorable experience. And, due to the design of the Mossberg, a highly unlikely one. The action can unlock remarkably soon after firing- it is one of the most favourable points of the Mossberg design. Think fast, fast, fast. I used to shoot trap with mine (poor college student at the time). My style is to pull back on the forearm and hold the pistol grip lightly. Shot like this with trap loads, the receiver stays locked. It will not open until the tension is relieved. You can duplicate this test with slugs, but you must not use a rest and you must hold the forearm back with considerable force. Please try this experiment- holding the forearm back hard, standing. You’ll see that it won’t unlock until you ease it forward a tiny bit. Explation: When the forearm/bolt comes back on its own, as described, it is exhibiting momentum from the recoil, recoil that has ALREADY been imparted to the forearm/bolt/slide assembly. As the gun slows down against your shoulder, the momentum of the slide and bolt continue their motion backwards, opening the action. BUT before this happens, the forearm/slide/bolt exhibit INERTIA as they resist the recoil and try to maintain motionless (the definition of inertia). At this time the gun is moving backwards and the mechanism stays in place, or in relation to the gun, moves FORWARD. It is the forward action that unlocks the bolt. If this forward action does not occur, the bolt does not unlock, as you can discover by doing the simple test above. Since the backwards movement must be preceded by the forwards movement, the gun cannot unlock "too soon". I NEVER had the bolt unlock "by itself" when trap shooting. I first noticed this behaviour (safe, correct if startling behaviour) when a friend shot my Mossberg. He’s a good pistol shooter, and tried to translate his style. He pushed forward with his forearm to resist the recoil, but pulled back hard with his pistol grip hand for stability. Naturally, the gun started ejecting immediately (though safely as you will see). He was startled and was afraid that it was ejecting while the pressure was still high. I showed him the thin plastic low-wall hulls and said, if it was ejecting too soon, it would show it. I showed him my style and it stopped doing that. The only time the forearm comes back for me "on its own" is when I shoot slugs from the bench. The bench rest bean-bag holds the forearm forward under recoil, and then it unlocks. The gun lifts and moves back against my shoulder, and as it slows from my body’s resistance, the forearm/bolt assembly continues and partially opens. This is not broken, it’s not a design flaw, it’s not a problem common to the gun. It’s also not open to debate. If anyone contradicts this (I’m so tired of some of these flame wars) I invite them to try shooting a Mossberg with the forearm held back hard, as I described, first, BEFORE posting. You’ll see it won’t unlock until you relieve the tension. Or, take one apart and see how it really works. Just because it never did it to you when shooting birdshot while standing, doesn’t mean you know how it works, and that it won’t do it for you on the bench. It’s not broken, it’s working fine. Ken. — WWW: http://www.charm.net/~kmarsh | me that UNIX is too complicated.
Response:
>Got a new trophy slugster pump, is it normal for the spent >shell to start to eject after firing? It’s like it unlocks and >the shell and action move back 2 inches from the >recoil. Also what sabots are printing best for you? >I can’t get the Remington Coppers to group >at all at 100 yards. thanks mike
My 500 does this with any bbl shooting any magnum load, but never with light loads. My slugster bbl did OK with Remington Coppers, but when they were unavailable, I switched to 3" Winchester Hi-Impact hollow point sabots. Tighter pattern, cheaper, too. jej
Response:
> Got a new trophy slugster pump, is it normal for the spent > shell to start to eject after firing? It’s like it unlocks and > the shell and action move back 2 inches from the > recoil. Also what sabots are printing best for you? > I can’t get the Remington Coppers to group > at all at 100 yards. thanks mike
This is normal operation, the Winchester pumps do the same thing. It is using some of the explosive action of the fired round to start the ejection process of the spent shell by opening the "action" and releasing the shell. When you pull back the forearm and finish the ejection process you should notice that it is much easier and faster than older pump action guns. I personally found it hard to get used to initially, looking at my gun and seeing the action open, caused me to want to close it before fully ejecting the shell, thus causing a jam. You should get used to it with regular use. Try going trap or skeet shooting or general target or patterning for a while and it will become reactionary before you realize it. Good Luck and Good Hunting!!! - Warren
Response:
I have read that the FEDERAL Premium 2 3/4" 1 ounce sabots are the best. I am using a reload myself. Lyman 1 1/8 ounce sabot, 31 grains of wsf, yellow AA wad, in a AA 2 3/4", and win 209 primer. This load is known to shoot into 1MOA out to 150 yards. I’m trying it for my rifled mossberg next week. The US Constitution spells out our rights, we must secure them ourselves.
Response:
> > Got a new trophy slugster pump, is it normal for the spent > shell to start to eject after firing? It’s like it unlocks and > the shell and action move back 2 inches from the > recoil. Also what sabots are printing best for you?
—snip— Hello! No, it is not "normal" for the action to unlock by itself. Here’s a little test: Fire the weapon one handed, i.e. keep you hand off the forestock. If the action opens by itself, something is wrong and you should give Mossberg a call. If the action doesn’t open (and I suspect it won’t) then it is OK and there is nothing to worry about because you’re pulling it open by the rearward pressure on the forestock. — The above comments are my own and not my employer’s. Have a great day!
Response:
> Got a new trophy slugster pump, is it normal for the spent > shell to start to eject after firing? It’s like it unlocks and > the shell and action move back 2 inches from the > recoil. Also what sabots are printing best for you? > I can’t get the Remington Coppers to group > at all at 100 yards. thanks mike
I have the same problem with mine I have owned a rifled slug barrel for around 6 years As far as ammo is concerned it seems as though each gun has one type of ammo works better than any other. I can typically shoot a 2.5-3" group with Federal premium sabots 3.5-4" " " federal classic sabots 3.5-4.5 " " winchester sabots 5" " " federal foster slugs 6" " " winchester foster slugs 6" " " remington foster slugs 8" " " breneke slugs another mossberg I use does best with winchester sabots I have no explanation as all shots were at the same target range on the day changing the firing order of the guns to assure fatigue was not the cause. I have fired over 100 shells through each gun. Hope this helps Marsh
