Yes, a Mossberg 500 with a 28-inch barrel can absolutely shoot slugs. In fact, longer barrels like the 28-inch are often preferred by many for slug shooting due to several key advantages. Let's delve into the details to understand why and what to consider.
Why a 28-Inch Barrel is Suitable for Slugs
The longer barrel length of a 28-inch Mossberg 500 offers several benefits when firing slugs:
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Improved Accuracy: A longer barrel allows for more complete powder burn and therefore, higher muzzle velocity. This translates to flatter trajectory and increased accuracy at longer ranges. The increased barrel length allows the slug to fully stabilize before exiting the barrel, leading to a more consistent and accurate shot.
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Reduced Recoil: While counterintuitive to some, a longer barrel can sometimes slightly reduce felt recoil. The longer barrel distributes the recoil impulse over a longer period, potentially making the shot feel less harsh. This is most noticeable with heavier slugs.
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Greater Velocity: As mentioned, the complete powder burn in a longer barrel leads to a higher muzzle velocity. This is a significant advantage for slug shooting, particularly when aiming at targets further away.
Considerations for Slug Shooting with Your Mossberg 500
While the 28-inch barrel is well-suited for slugs, there are still some important factors to consider:
Slug Type:
The type of slug you use significantly impacts accuracy and performance. Different slugs are designed for different purposes. Consider these options:
- Foster slugs: These are the most common type and are relatively inexpensive. They are generally accurate at shorter ranges.
- Sabot slugs: These slugs are encased in a plastic sabot that helps them stabilize in flight. They often offer greater accuracy and range compared to Foster slugs.
- Rifled slugs: Designed for rifled barrels, but can still be used in smoothbore barrels, often with improved accuracy. However, they are generally less accurate in smoothbore than in rifled barrels.
Experimenting with different slug types is key to finding what works best for your Mossberg 500 and your shooting style.
Choke:
While a Mossberg 500 typically doesn't utilize interchangeable chokes in the same way a shotgun intended for birdshot does, the barrel itself acts as a choke. A cylinder bore (no choke) is typically the best choice for slugs in a smoothbore barrel. Using tighter chokes can lead to accuracy problems with slugs.
Sight Picture:
Accuracy with slugs often requires a clearer sight picture than when shooting shot. Consider adding aftermarket sights, such as ghost ring sights or even a scope, for improved precision, particularly at longer distances.
Conclusion
A Mossberg 500 with a 28-inch barrel is perfectly capable of shooting slugs, and in many ways, the longer barrel offers advantages over shorter barrels when it comes to accuracy, velocity, and potentially, recoil management. Remember to choose appropriate slugs and consider supplemental sighting systems for optimal performance. Safe and responsible shooting practices are always paramount.
