so i walk into a sporting goods store

How do you go to buy a rifle and come out with a shotgun? Did you just want to buy a gun?

proteus316 wrote: How do you go to buy a rifle and come out with a shotgun? Did you just want to buy a gun?

I've got a Mossberg 500 with a scope barrel and she is sexy.

Project Irene wrote: Nice.  Although you need to go back and get the 700 too.

Yeah, although the guy in the Lodge has me leaning more towards the Savage line of rifles.

The main reason I didn't buy one is you have to order one, put down a 50% deposit, and wait a month for it to get there. The Mossberg, on the other hand, was waiting for me in the back room .

I was planning on getting a shotgun eventually; I probably shouldn't have mentioned it to the salesman because he immediately unlocked it and handed it to me. Dang those salesmen.....

Beil wrote: Yeah, although the guy in the Lodge has me leaning more towards the Savage line of rifles.

Savage used to make sort of cheap, junky guns. Real low end stuff. But lately, they've been doing doing some serious development in their bolt action rifles. I wouldn't be embarrassed to own a new Savage.

I have four 700's in my house currently two 25-06's (mine and my dad's), a 243, and a 300 both are my dads. They are awesome rifles and have taken down a lot of deer, elk, and critters over the years.  

Mossberg 500 and 590.

Mossberg 500's are good guns. I've never used a slug version, but for combat shooting they are nice and rugged. Personally my preference is also for an 870, but there is nothing wrong with the 500.

One of the major strong points for the 500 design is the double action bars. It is very easy to twist a fore end and bend the transfer bar, thereby jamming up what is one of the hardest weapons to jam. The double bars makes it harder to twist the fore end, keeping the weapon running.

Good buy, especially for $200. Now you have to feed it :)
Remember , pull it tight into the socket, solid cheekweld, rock and roll.

Shotguns do work very well for what's essentially point shooting. The 500 is very good at pointing naturally. Generally shotguns work out the box, but they unfortunately are pretty crude. It's a good idea to get some "match" parts for it. Get it worked over by Vang Comp. Vang barrels are like sniper rifle barrels. Honestly, they do some amazing things with them. You don't need the compensator ports, but definately get one of their barrels. (I don't know if they make barrels for the 500, they do for the 590).

I also don't like the front bead sight. Many people say that's all you need, and given the point shooting nature of shotguns, the fact they do scatter, and the close ranges, they are generally right, but there is nothing better than a set of ghost rings and blade sights. The problem with the bead is you have to use the cheek weld as your "rear sight", something doable, but not perfect.

Savage vs Remington. Oooooh. That's a tough one. They both make damn fine weapons. Remington obviously have their name and reputation to stand by.But Savage make equally capable weapons.

Pretty much even. I've looked at some nice Savage rifles, and I've wanted one for a long time, but I would not pass up the opportunity for a 700.

Which specific models are you looking at?

KBK