Best choke and ammo for Mossberg 500?

Using a SG to get some close in (50 yards and in) action is something I've always wanted to do.

I would think a full choke would be my first choice followed by Mod. For ammo, it's hard to be the consistent patter the 8-pellet Flight Controlled Federal 00 Buck delivers.

BUT... I have ZERO field experience so my thoughts might be way off... I'm in for the info from others in the know to follow.
 
Pattern testing with various loads and chokes in YOUR shotgun is the only way to know what works. It is incredible the differences you will get by changing the brand of ammo or stepping the choke constriction up or down. Every shotgun is a snowflake so to speak.

I have a couple shotguns (Remingtons) setup for predators. One loves a .670” choke constriction shooting Winchester Varmint-X BB loads, while the other prefers a .685” constriction using Winchester 4 buck loads.

Good luck in your search for the best combination. I hope you get lucky right out of the gate. If you’d like to read through some extensive testing by some of our shotgun guru members, check this out. Lots of excellent insight here.

www.predatormasters.com

NEW Shotgun Pattern Test Results - Detail & Pic' heavy...

The Day, Range, and Set-up... The day was bright and clear. Temperature was in the mid-60's with a moderate swirling wind blowing. The range is equipped with large, very solid, wooden benches bolted to a concrete base. An Outers Varminter Rifle Rest was used to steady the shotguns while...
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As stated, you gotta pattern it. My 870 like Win Varmint X bb. It has a turkey choke that I don't remember the make or constriction, but I tried several different shells, and the Var X was best by far. AND it does hammer them out to 45-I haven't' shot past that.
 
Most of the shotguns I use for coyote hunting have fixed chokes, from IM to X-full. I use light loads 1 1/4 oz in the 12s and 1 oz in the 16s a load nickel plated BBs for both and am got to 40 yards. Patterning your shotgun will give you the effective range of your combination shot charge and choke.

I keep a 3" 12ga 870 turkey gun set up for firearms/non-tox restricted areas. Carlsons Dead Coyote choke Rem HD BBs and Dead Coyote Tungsten ammo. Is it the ultimate combination, I don't know? I just picked a choke designed for HD shot and keep my shots within the effective range of what I have. I used it hunting WPAs in WA, no lead shot, since moving to the SW it is mostly a safe queen as my combo guns are accepted almost everywhere.
 
There is no magical way or manner to get the right choke for any pattern you're seeking!
Any Trap shooting club has a pattern board just for that purpose. NO BUCKSHOT.
Two identical shotguns shooting the same shells and choked the same will most likely produce different results.
Test what you what and record your results.
Soup
 
What Soup said,,,, Also you have been given sound advice by at least 4 other people. You will have to test YOUR GUN with different ammo selections, and if your state allows then try different shot sizes with same shotgun and same choke FIRST. To keep things for reference only change one thing at a time.
Suggestion : I used to get white paper from butcher shop. Offer to pay for it. They will tear off 3' X 3' sheets for you. Not as cheap but I have had to go to Hobby Lobby and get white wrapping paper. Cut it 3' long.
Next I mark a circle in the center of the paper for a kill zone. This helps for pattern and tells you how YOUR gun shoots, with YOU. 4-6" diameter for aim points.
Ex: My Trap gun shoots a little high but my Rem 870 shoots flat. My kill zone is different if I bird hunt with one of those. 870 I am covering the bird. With testing, it will tell you 6 o'clock hold or aim dead on bullseye. Don't mean to sound like I am splitting hairs. I didn't forget we are coyote hunting. Just trying to help you understand how important it is to learn your gun and it's load. Keep Target papers with good patterns. Label them. Best to get more than one possible load, and or, once a load is found, get a case of that ammo with SAME LOT NUMBER. Well,,, get as much as you can afford. I like to have a choice on ammo in case I can't find my brand and shot size. But like Mick Jagger said "you can't always get what you wanted" good luck
CT
 
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