Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag

[alien319]

Hey guys, how many of you have shot or own a Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag?  I am thinking about purchasing a shotgun solely for Turkey.  I like the Mossberg 500 I have now, it has never failed me when trying to shoot something.  I am just wondering what your thoughts on the 835 Ulti-mag are.  Thanks guys.

[quickdtoo]

I've used one for about 5yrs, great turkey gun, it's got a MAD Super Max hevi-shot tube on it, I've made kills out to over 50yds with it shooting #6 Hevi-shot, the weight helps with recoil, carry it with a Claw sling, the only thing bad I can say about it is the noisey forend which you know about on the 500, and the safety is a little stiff.

Tim

[lil_hunter12]

my dad used to have 1 and i used it for turkey for about 4 or 5 years and squirrel almost that long. patterned tight but killed from both ends. i wouldn't hesitate to buy another 1 for turkey hunting.

[quickdtoo]

Put a limbsaver #10201 on it, then recoil is tolerable, 2oz, 3½" loads @1300fps are stout, to the tune of over 70lbs recoil which is about double that of a 375H&H. I have Limbsavers on every hard kicker I own, they are indeed the king of recoil pads as far as I'm concerned.

Tim

[kyelkhunter3006]

That's the one thing I've never understood about turkey hunting.....do we really need a load like that to kill a 25lb bird?  With recoil levels passing some of the dangerous game rounds?  I know a lot of guys who are scared of the little ole' 30-06 and 180 grain loads, yet they grab the 3.5" shells when it's turkey time.     I use 3", but just cause they patterned better at 40 yds than some lighter loads..  If I could find a 2.75" shell that patterns close to the same, I'd use it in a heartbeat.

[Piney]

Tim: 

The limb-saver pad you listed for the 835 (10201) is that a pref-it or grind to fit, etc.  I really need to to put something on my 835 to tame it down.

[quickdtoo]

It's a pre-fit pad.

http://limbsaver.com/Products/Firearms/Precision_Fit_Recoil_Pad.aspx

They have a new one coming out this month, the Speed Mount pad...

http://limbsaver.com/Products/Firearms/Speed_Mount_Recoil_Pad.aspx

Tim

[Piney]

Thanks for the info Quick!

Tom

[lil_hunter12]

i have been using 3 inch loads but i have a 2.75 load that matches or does better at 40 and even 50 yards than my 3 inch loads. if u want to switch try federal #6 shot with the flight control wad they will pattern tight at longer ranges.

[buck460XVR]

I never was a fan of 3 1/2'' 12 ga. guns. Had personal beliefs that it was a case of too much lead going thru too small of a hole.(my opinion only, no offense to others). Bought a Remington 870 supermag on sale cause it was cheaper at the time than a 3" 870. Bought a coupla different boxes of 3 1/2 '' turkey loads and decided to test them out against my standard 3'' loads. Both 3'' and 3 1/2'' loads were similar brands and shot sizes.  None of the 3 1/2 patterned as well as the 3'' loads with the 3 1/2'' loads having more inconsistent patterns at all ranges with more flyers and holes in the middle of the pattern spread. Matter of fact the 3'' loads patterned better in the supermag than out of my 3'' mossberg 500, that I have used for over 20 years....... Again this is only my personal experience, but after trying both and having my shoulder tore off with the 3 1/2'' loads, I'll be stickin with 3''.

[quickdtoo]

We're talking 835 here, not a 500, the 835 is overbored to .775", not the standard .731" of a standard 12ga, can utilize the 3½" loads very well, I've shot a lot of ammo thru mine, 2¾", 3" and 3½", thru 8 different turkey tubes, the 3½" reigns suppreme over any lesser load with the right tube. I pattern while standing, shooting over a standing bipod to reduce felt recoil, shooting from the bench would be suicide, IMO!!

Tim