I bought my first shottie today (thanks Dave!) and I am rather clueless about shotgun ammo. Browsing several sights and what's available there are about 100 different kinds of ammo. I have no idea what the best "range" ammo is so I figured I would ask here.

 

The shotgun I purchased is a Mossberg 590A1. Since it has a shorter barrel and no chokes I think that I am looking for buckshot (00?) and maybe slugs? The gun will be used for range fun only, since I don't think it would be very good at shooting pigeons or skeet and I do not intend on using it for home defense where I am currently living.

 

Please recommend some ammo choices and also what a current market fair price would be. I looked here and sgammo has a case of Federal 00 buck for $195. No idea if it is a good price or not.

 

http://www.sgammo.com/product/12-gauge/250-round-case-12-gauge-00-buckshot-federal-estate-9-pellet-275-inch-1325-fps-sku-i

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

If your looking for fun on the range for low cost check out "Wax/Glue Slugs" on Youtube.

What do you actually plan on doing with it ?

We also need to know the specs on the barrel.

CHOKE ?

Length ?

What type of site ?

Most people shoot slugs at the range. I'd recommend you get a regular barrel and try some skeet. It's fun.

I have 00 buck and slugs for mine. Mine is chambered for 3in shells but i only use 2 2/3 (little cheaper, less recoil).

 

I have a riffled slug barrel and a smooth barrel. I keep the buck in the tube with slugs on the carrier JIC. I use the smooth barrel for HD.

 

 

I think i used to pay about $1/rd for the buck/slugs so $200 for 250rds seems like a decent deal to me but i have never purchased a case of shotgun ammo.

 

Trap/skeet ammo (bird shot, #7 or 8 i would think?) is cheaper...

 

Eventually i would like to get a longer barrel myself and try hitting clays..

Thats kinda pricey. From Sportsmans guide I recently got 250rnds of 00 Buck shipped for $126. Check them out

IMO you should get some 00 buckshot for HD, and shoot some of it to get a feel for what it's like and how it patterns. You might want to shoot a few slugs just for the fun of it, but you are unlikely to need them for HD/SD, and they are pretty pricey.

 

For the fun of just blasting away, either at paper or clays, get some #7.5-8.5 target loads. They go for around $75 for a case of 10 boxes, or 250 rounds. I also have a 590 A1, and while it's fun to shoot, it's not particularly useful for clay shooting; however at Thunder Mountain (kind of far from you) they have an area they call "practice trap," where you stand close to where the targets are launched, and they go out in the same direction each time. My 590 A1 works just fine for that, and it's a nice break from blasting holes in paper.

big pellets for big things.  little pellets for little things.  Slugs for big things if you can aim well.

 

Deer, 00, or 000 buck shot or slugs. 

Rabbits and squirrels - #6 or #8 shot.

Home defense - I would go with a lot of little pellets like #8 shot.  It won't penetrate as deeply but at close range, it will all hit within a very small circle (a few inches at the most) and make an impressive wound that would change my mind if I was an intruder.  The smaller pellets are also less likely to penetrate walls and other things to hurt people you didn't mean to hurt. 

 

But, there is no wrong answer - try a few different types and see what each does.

i shoot 00 buck out of my 590... u can shoot slugs with the ghost sights amd a decent slug i can see u being on target at 50 yards easily... skeet shooting.. ummm.i suck to.begin with.. but i found.i.had to aim over 3 feet in front of the clay and shoot it quickly otherwise it was to far away. now get a bayonett for that sexy beast!

Thanks for the input guys.  I am going to get some 00 buck and some slugs from a member who offered to sell some to me, and look into buying a case of target loads like frank rizzo suggested.

 

Like I said in my original post, I am not going to be using this for home defense, so whatever is the most fun taking out water bottles and similar targets at the range will most likely be what I continue to use for ammo lol.

so whatever is the most fun taking out water bottles and similar targets at the range will most likely be what I continue to use for ammo lol.

 

Any ammo will be good for that.

^ Range 14 only allows buck and slugs on the rifle range...