William Suter
Well-known member
I doubt I will go with an AR style shotgun, to old school for that. When I get ready I'll look for an 870 or a Mossberg and probably a good reliable pump.
AR Shotgun?
- Thread starter William Suter
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bowhunter57
Well-known member
The only "jamming" issues I've had was during a sporting clay event and it was ammo related. I was using some Winchester 1 oz. loads at 1150 fps. As soon as I switched to Federal 1 1/8 oz. loads at 1250 fps, it fed, fired and cycled perfectly.
bowhunter57
Well-known member
As much as I like AR style anything, I'm in the old school train of thought too and always end up with a bolt-action rifle or something more traditional in a shotgun.
I have a Mossberg 500 Turkey Special in 12 gauge with a 3" chamber and a 20" barrel. I originally purchased it to serve double duty as a turkey hunting shotgun, as it was designed, but also for home defense. Since any shotgun with a "tactical" title will cost another $100 to $150 more, this shotgun would perform the same tasks at a fraction of the cost. It came with fiber optic open sights and I added a Sightmark red dot, later.I've owned this shotgun for over 20 years without any issues!
William Suter
Well-known member
Found a used 835 in a pawn shop today. May go back tomorrow and take a look at it. I didn't have time today.
William Suter
Well-known member
Went back for another look at the 835. One thing I was hoping for is it was cut for chokes and it is. Its not mint by any means but isn't hammered. They're asking $225 which sounds like a fair price. Probably go back this coming week and see if I can deal them out of it.
William Suter
Well-known member
Made another trip for one last look at the 835. Turns out its an Ulti-mag (plus) and condition isn't bad at all (plus) and its in a plastic stock(+/- I don't really care about that as it will probably get a paint job) and it was cheap (big plus). I put it in lay away as I'm in no big hurry for it as when I do get it I'll clean it and set it in the loading room till I get around to shooting it.
Cal Taylor
Sponsor
The AR style shotguns feel very awkward and just don't point well for me. And since they don't fit properly recoil is horrendous. On the subject of Remington autos I had tried a couple 550's and gave up. I called them 550's because it was an 1100 that worked about half the time!
GC
Well-known member
WS, take what I am about to say with a grain of salt. I personally would pass on the 835. Lots of people love their 835 shotguns so keep that in mind as you read forward. Are you going to shoot 3.5" shells? For the uses you described, it seems very unlikely, which leaves you with an unnecessarily bulky awkward gun. The 835 is a big bulky package. For many people, the 835 slaps them in the face under recoil. Something about the stock dimensions and a narrow comb.
But for me, the oversized .775" bore is a no-go. That bore size is the same as for a 10 gauge. If you intended to shoot 3.5" magnum shells with 2+ ounces of shot it might not be a bad thing. Which is what the 835 was designed for. But for the shooter that isn't going to cram those Roman candles in the gun that oversize bore can cause problems. Some 12 gauge loads won't obturate enough to seal that overly large bore. That means gasses are blowing past the wad or slug and will affect shot patterns or slug accuracy. It is a whole lot too much bore for the average 12 gauge shotshell. It's an easy pass for me. A Remington 870, Mossberg 500, or something along those lines found on the used gun rack in good condition would be a better choice in my humble opinion. My two cents for what it's worth and just something to mull over.
But for me, the oversized .775" bore is a no-go. That bore size is the same as for a 10 gauge. If you intended to shoot 3.5" magnum shells with 2+ ounces of shot it might not be a bad thing. Which is what the 835 was designed for. But for the shooter that isn't going to cram those Roman candles in the gun that oversize bore can cause problems. Some 12 gauge loads won't obturate enough to seal that overly large bore. That means gasses are blowing past the wad or slug and will affect shot patterns or slug accuracy. It is a whole lot too much bore for the average 12 gauge shotshell. It's an easy pass for me. A Remington 870, Mossberg 500, or something along those lines found on the used gun rack in good condition would be a better choice in my humble opinion. My two cents for what it's worth and just something to mull over.
William Suter
Well-known member
Wish I'd read your post yesterday. It's already in my possession. Can I improve the patterns with chokes? It came with a modified but I'm not against buying a few new chokes. Worse case is I can always flip it. Truth of the matter, its going to have more time setting in a corner than being used. I just didn't want to not have a shotgun and once again it was cheap and it is in pretty good shape.
Driven2tri24
Active member
Mine has never failed to cycle. I've never tried to run "Low Brass" shells with velocity below 1100fps though. It is designed for High brass shells ONLY and it has 2 selectable pistons. 1 is for 1300-1500fps(the one I run for 2.75 & 3" Buckshot/TSS shells at 1198fps chrono'd). The other is for 1500fps and above , which would be your Slugs and sabots.
Mine puts some amazing patterns at 50 yds with both 4 buck and TSS#2"s. Just took some patterning and trying handful of chokes, but I'm putting all 80 of 85 TSS 2 Pellets(1.5oz) into a 30" circle at 50 yds using a Carlson Buck Shot Choke(.695). FWIW I also get a consistent 22-24 of 27(2.75") #4 buck pellets into a 30" circle at 50yds.
I"ve done a lot of patterning over the years for turkey and coyotes and honestly can say that although it's a "cheap" gun, it patterns and cycles great.
I too woud never have considered one of these cheap guns if I wasn't trying to overcome the challenges of running a short eye relief thermal on one for night purposes.
Traditional shotguns and their receiver mounts along with drop etc, just have too many challenges to ignore with a Thermal.
William Suter
Well-known member
Driven2tri24
Active member
Tight enough for me.. I actually prefer a pattern with all of it's pellets spread evenly across a 36" pattern at 50yds. but the only roll of wrapping paper I could find was 30" this time. I like as many in the core 8-10 inch like anyone but whats more important to me is that it fills the 36" circle at 50 yds, that way not too tight in close yet still tight enough if beyond 50.
Widow maker 223
Well-known member
Thats actually a decent pattern at 50YDS !! That TSS carries the mail. I know people killing turkeys at 65-70yds.
Driven2tri24
Active member
I moved it up about 5 clicks, but this is 3"Apex TSS #2's 1.5oz load. They offer a 2.0 oz and 1.5 oz loads. I chose the 1.5oz in TSS2's to keep speed up in this short 18.5" barrel. I chrono'd at 1195fps in it so I imagine would get the advertised 1250fps in a longer barrel.
FWIW I will be trying the 2.0oz BB load next(as originally what I wanted to order but was talked out of). I personally think that inside 50yds, good ole 27 or 41 pellet 4 buck does all you need, hell even 3" lead BB(which patterns amazing in Winchester Varmint X)...but neither of which have "breakdown power" on running away shots where you call doubles. I have shot only 1 running away at 50yds with TSS2's and it did crawl and die 50yds later (on other side of fence which makes it unrecoverable). I couldn't do any kind of autopsy on it, but I do know I want more incapacitating power than the TSS#2's. I would say that my experience with 4 buck is equal to the sample of one I've had with TSS2's. I'm willing to trade pellets (pattern) on target (aka more shock) for penetration at longer ranges on those running away shots because I think the TSS has the pattern and shock to spare. Just my 02. I've shot my share with 4 buck, Lead BB inside timber at extended shotgun ranges when they hangup (not as many as a lot of others on here)and although have replaced the shotgun with suppressed carbines in the timber to overcome shotgun range limitations at 75 yds when they hangup. I'm now revisiting it because of TSS potential and some new calling strategies I'm utilizing at night with the thermal shotgun.
FWIW I will be trying the 2.0oz BB load next(as originally what I wanted to order but was talked out of). I personally think that inside 50yds, good ole 27 or 41 pellet 4 buck does all you need, hell even 3" lead BB(which patterns amazing in Winchester Varmint X)...but neither of which have "breakdown power" on running away shots where you call doubles. I have shot only 1 running away at 50yds with TSS2's and it did crawl and die 50yds later (on other side of fence which makes it unrecoverable). I couldn't do any kind of autopsy on it, but I do know I want more incapacitating power than the TSS#2's. I would say that my experience with 4 buck is equal to the sample of one I've had with TSS2's. I'm willing to trade pellets (pattern) on target (aka more shock) for penetration at longer ranges on those running away shots because I think the TSS has the pattern and shock to spare. Just my 02. I've shot my share with 4 buck, Lead BB inside timber at extended shotgun ranges when they hangup (not as many as a lot of others on here)and although have replaced the shotgun with suppressed carbines in the timber to overcome shotgun range limitations at 75 yds when they hangup. I'm now revisiting it because of TSS potential and some new calling strategies I'm utilizing at night with the thermal shotgun.
