Mossberg 395ka

[sert01]

Hey all. First time posting on the Mossy site but I have a couple of questions for any of you knowledgable bolt action shotgunners. I've got a 395ka and was wondering about shooting steelshot in it. I have some 3 inch BB and #2 & #4 steel. I know enough not to have the c-lect set on full choke or modified choke, but what about improved cylinder? Going up to Pymatuning Lake in northwestern Pa. the 8th of November and don't want to have to borrow a shotgun for steel if I don't have to. I've got some HV Turkey 3 inch #4 shot. If the HV shot would work, what would be the best choke setting for it? I was also wondering if a barrel off a 395s (slugger) would fit on my 395ka. Should be the same thread pattern, shouldn't it? I also see that Havlin Sales has a synthetic stock that would fit it.Getting tired of Gorilla gluing my stock. I could get one from Numrich but I would prefer a synthetic. Really love shooting this gun and am trying to hold it together until I get money for another stock!! I've posted on other topics before and really enjoy all the feedback I've gotten from everyone. Sure is alot of Knowledge floating around out there!!  Thanks, Sert01

[stringofpoloponies]

ive got a 395k. sorry cant help you with the steel shot questions. i have purchased the synthetic stock from havlin. it works great. you need to tell them what model you have because they need to make room for the clip on the 395. its basically a 695 stock. i bet they know what shot you can use in it.  i would give them a shout. i took my old wood stock and sprayed it with truck bedliner and then for fun i painted it pink and used the krylon webbing spray paint to give it a synthetic stock look. came out nice.  

[sert01]

Thanks for the info, String. I'd camouflaged my stock quite a few years ago. Just the standard brown, green, and black.I also took the barrelled action out of the stock and heated it with a propane torch and painted it with matte black high temp spraypaint.Did that 4-5 times and wiped it with a rough shop rag in  between each heating-painting session. Ended up looking pretty decent. Man, I just don't know about showing up in the goose blind with a pink camo shotgun!!!! Bet it looks sharp, though. Maybe I'll get hold of Havlins and see what they say about the steelshot issue. Gonna have to hold off on the stock until I get some bucks together. Times are really tight around here right now.(still got some Gorilla glue and duct tape left, thank God!!!) I'll see if I can get a picture posted. Thanks, Sert01.

[sert01]

Hey String, sent an e-mail to Havlin Sales about the steel shot question and inquiring about their 395ka stocks. Cheryl confirmed what you had told me about the 695 stock having to be milled out for the 395 model. Also told me that it wouldn't be a good idea to put steelshot down the barrel as it would more than likely screw up the C-lect choke. As far as finding a 395s slug barrel , she said that in the 28 years that Havlins has been in business, they have NEVER seen a 395s barrel for sale!! So much for that great idea!! I'm considering cutting the choke off of it and putting on a set of open sights or scoping it and see what I can get out of it accuracy-wise. I'd still be able to use it for small game, then stuff slugs in it for anything bigger.Has anyone out there ever done a conversion like that? I'd appreciate any advice you can give me. Man, I just have too much time off from work to sit around and think!!!  Sert01.

[stringofpoloponies]

 for fun i sent  my 395 barrel action to  williams gunsight  company. they tapped and installed weaver bases. i had to use high rings  with my bushnell banner 3x9x40. i just screw the choke out to the imp, cylinder. i use the  federal tru ball slugs around 4$ a box. i can get 3- inch groups or better from 50-80 yards.  i dont shoot much further than that. those tru ball slugs make a freeking huge hole! i would imagine having the scope and the choke set on full would make a great turkey gun. if you got the machine skills you could tap the mounts yourself or add adjustable sights.  not sure but this 695 mount may be an option. i found it after i had my gun tapped. it is a one piece base that i like better.http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=39_129&products_id=228&zenid=ae170f55153773ebb81b4b42b77cd048

[sert01]

Thanks for the feedback, String.       I cut my barrel back to 23.5 " and put a brass bead on it. I have a set of Weaver 2-piece bases I'm going to put on it after I drill and tap it. Probably have to go with the see-thru scope mounts so I don't run into ejection problems. Figure I can still use it for small game with lead shot and use it with steelshot for ducks and geese now that I don't have to worry about the C-lect choke on it anymore. Anxious to see what kind of slug groups I get after mounting a scope. I hunt alot of Mountain laurel, Rhododendren, etc. so most of my shots are fairly close anyway. Still might mount a set of rifle sights on it . Being off work for injuries, it's given me something to do for a couple of weeks anyway!!! Thanks, Sert01.