Author Topic: 835 or 500?  (Read 1913 times)

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Offline cgoff

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835 or 500?
« on: February 06, 2009, 02:39:35 AM »
I'm  looking to buy a new turkey gun and have decided on either the mossberg 835 or the 500. I don't really care about the ability to shoot 3.5" shells that you get with the 835, so I guess the big difference between the two would be the overbore barrel on the 835.  My question would be does the overbore make enough difference for the extra money?

 It also seems easier to find extra barrels for the 500. My other question would be which barrel length 20" or 24"?
The reason I chose mossberg is the cost and the fact that it has the tang safety which is important cause my kids are right handed and I'm left handed and they will be using the gun also.
I appreciate any input.
Not sure if this is a factor but the boys will be shooting #6 high brass loads instead of turkey loads.  I don't want them getting recoil shy from the heavy turkey loads.
 
 
 
 

Offline Swampman

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2009, 02:46:47 AM »
The 835 Turkey gun is a really nice looking & shooting gun.  It's cheap at Walmart.
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Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2009, 03:39:03 AM »
What Swampy said...  If you get an 835 the 3.5 inch capacity is there if you want it.  But those big shells DO thump you pretty good!   :'(  I don't know if the overbore works or not, but those who know more then I do about it say it does!  So, it couldn't hurt!   ;D

I don't know what extra barrels you would want, but I found an 18.5 inch barrel and between turkey seasons my 835 wears it and a magazine extension.  As you can see by the pic, the barrel on mine is long.  I would say 28 inches w/o the choke tube.  I think a 24 inch tube would be about perfect.

Just my opinion
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Offline hunt-m-up

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2009, 05:52:47 AM »
I had a wood-stocked 835 that I carried pheasant hunting for awhile, but it was damned heavy so it ended up with a slug bbl on it and finally went away as I shoot a mzldr for deer now and don't pheasant hunt as much. The overbore sure seemed to make a difference on roosters, it was a killing machine, just a couple pounds too heavy. Even the shorter bbl'd 835 might be quite a bit more awkward for a kid.

I've also owned 500's in every configuration and they will get it done just as well if turkeys are your only target. Buy the factory aftermarket adjustable stock for the gun to help out the boys. I think the stock has 6 positions? I think the 500 will do everything you need it to do and they are drilled and tapped for a scope and ported I believe.
As a sidenote, speaking of wally world, have you looked at the black synthetic Charles Daly auto? Fairly lightweight, 3" chamber, gas-operated=lighter recoil for the kids, price point close to the Mossbergs, very reliable with the heavier loads.
FWIW
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Offline BAP

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2009, 04:52:33 AM »
my son who is in law enforcment has the 500 and very dependable and the configurations are endless.

i myself have always had the 835s and love them for turkey hunting never had a gobbler walk away from a shot with it., then last year i purchased the tacktikal version with 18 inch barrell and colapsable stock.
i put in a comp-n-choke tube and filled my tags with it, awsome gun.
 after around 20 years of hunting with 835s i have never had a bad thing to say about them..

...bap

Offline FireStrut

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2009, 02:32:28 PM »
I have a 835 and it kicked like a mule till I added a Sims Limbsaver pad to it. Now I can not tell the difference between the 3.5 and the 3 inch shells.

Offline lil_hunter12

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2009, 03:49:27 PM »
my dad used to have an 835 and the 3.5's kicked harder than 3's
in my opinion. now i have a maverick 88 and it patterns tighter than the 835 ever did.

Offline lewdogg21

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2009, 05:55:46 AM »
835+ 3.5" shells = .338 win mag type recoil   :'(

Seriously though even with that lead barrel (whatever metal they use its freaking heavy!) that gun whips my ass after a few shells.  The recoil of the 835 makes duck and goose loads in my benelli feel like low base 8's in my 1187.

Offline dukkillr

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2009, 06:17:00 AM »
Neither. 

Offline Forestclimber

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #9 on: March 12, 2009, 03:35:02 PM »
I have an  835 with a Hastings extended choke tube.  I use Winchester #4's in 3.5 inch with 2.25 ounces of shot.  It kicks like crazy when I shoot it on paper, but I don't feel a thing when I shoot at a turkey.  I've shot over 10 turkeys with it.  It has the 24 inch barrel.  I like the longer sighting plane.  I also think it may help with the pattern.

Offline Swift One

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2009, 12:20:56 PM »
Had an 835 and used it for two uyears for turkey and deer.  Good gun and I am a mossberg fan.  The 3.5" shells kick the hec out of me though.  Went to a 500 tactical turkey and have been happy with it.  The birds haven't complained about the 3" shells out to 50yds either.
It's all a hot mess...........

Offline efremtags

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #11 on: May 02, 2009, 05:36:55 AM »
I've owned both. I would get neither and get a benelli Nova. Superior handling and action.

The 500 are pretty chinsy for thr money. The 835 is a little better made, heftier weight but jambs like crazy. I found 3 types of ammo that would not reliably eject 1 out of 5 shots.

The Nova has none of these issues and price point is right there with Mossberg.

Offline dukkillr

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #12 on: May 02, 2009, 08:56:17 AM »
I've owned both. I would get neither and get a benelli Nova. Superior handling and action.

The 500 are pretty chinsy for thr money. The 835 is a little better made, heftier weight but jambs like crazy. I found 3 types of ammo that would not reliably eject 1 out of 5 shots.

The Nova has none of these issues and price point is right there with Mossberg.
I've been saying this for years.  There simply is no reason to ever own a Mossberg.  The 870 and the Nova are close in price and superior in quality.

Offline hunt-m-up

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #13 on: May 02, 2009, 02:53:17 PM »
The 870 is king, I will definitely agree to that. Nova is awkward at best, not slick and ergonomic like the 870, for me anyway. Not had a jamming problem with any Mossbergs(except the 9200 auto,real crap), turkey loads, pheasant loads, slugs, none of them in multiple 500's and 835's. Not a waterfowl guy so I wouldn't know about those loads. Having said that, I don't own one anymore because I hardly use a shotgun, went with Beretta 390 and stuck with it because it sits there mostly.
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Offline woodsdweller

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2009, 10:08:38 AM »
if you go on the moss site they make decated turkey guns in both the 500 and 835.
located in ny love to hunt an shoot all forms of firearms.

Offline hawkenman

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #15 on: May 05, 2009, 03:23:56 PM »
My wife gave me a Mossberg 535 camo turkey shotgun chambered for 3.5 and I would not trade it or anything (well almost anything). It kicks like a 458 but I don't target shoot with it nor do I feel any discomfort when I see a gobbler in my sights. I killed two nice gobblers this year with it at over 50 yards each, something my Browning will not do.

Offline gstewart44

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #16 on: July 08, 2009, 12:27:06 PM »
I own both the 500 and 835.   I have taken turkeys with both.   No bird ever walked away from either.   If you want the heavy payload of a 3.5 shell then the 835 is your ticket.   My experience has shown me that the 3" shell from the 500 will do everything the 3.5  will do at turkey hunting distances.   

that leaves us to what feels better.   My 500 has a 28" barrel and balances fine and mounts to the shoulder perfectly for me.    The 835 has a 24" barrel and always feels front heavy and awkward when carrying and bringing to action.   My past three seasons the 835 has occupied my safe while the 500 has been out and taking birds.   

Just my observations and 2 cents.    If you can, pick them up and shoulder both at a sporting goods store and see what feels best.   they both will throw an incredible pattern.   Get the one that fits you.   


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Offline william_75

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Re: 835 or 500?
« Reply #17 on: September 09, 2009, 11:34:39 AM »
my maverick 88 will take anything I point it at.  As far as people sayig mossbergs are heavy, "grow stronger"  ;D  I think that nova is over rated by a country mile!  feels too much like a POS browning!