Jun 14, 2017 - The Mossberg Shockwave, though, with its 14-inch barrel and bird's. The Shockwave starts talking in birdshot, buckshot or slugs.author photo. Mar 23, 2018 - Mossberg shockwave round recommendation Shotgun Forum. Slugs work too, but for me, I think buckshot is the sweet spot for these guns. I keep the Aguila Mini. Low recoil federal flite control LE buck, or brenneke thd.
“Conducted with a Mossberg 500 Shot Gun & Hawke Endurance Scope”By Bob Shell Mossberg 500 Slug Gun with a Hawke Endurance 3-9X40mm ScopeApache Junction, AZ -(Ammoland.com)- For generations many youngsters started out with an inexpensive shotgun to start their activity in hunting.I was one of those youths that started out with a bolt action Mossberg shotgun.It was a 12 gauge with a barrel longer then a week but it served for some years until I got a little older. It harvested some rabbits and squirrels among other critters. Years ago if you used a shotgun for large game that was considered a handicap but that is no longer the case.Back in the day, I knew a guy that owned a large pig pen and my brother and myself shot many rats there using a Mossberg 12 gauge. Since I was rolling my own, cost were kept down. Throughout the years, I had a couple of pumps in 12 and 20 gauge.The little 20 was my favorite dove gun for years until I was talked out of it.
I still regret that mistake.The one 12 gauge I had was bought with a barrel that someone sawed off. Though legal, it looked like they used a wood saw to accomplish that task.
As bad, as it looked it was a good brush gun for rabbits.The way we hunted rabbits was in thick brush and frequently close shots and moving targets was the order of the day. A short barrel with no choke was the other order of the day.The other barrel had screw in chokes for other hunting chores.
The bottom line is I have used Mossberg shotguns for years and never had problems with them. They didn’t look great but always performed which is by far more important.For info on their extensive line of products you can go toI originally came from an area that required slugs for deer hunting. Due to the flat terrain rifle, bullets were considered too dangerous due to the distance they can travel. ( This myth has been proven unfounded today.
)A couple years back I picked up a model 930 which is an auto loader and as in my experiences it is trouble free. I have used it on some dove hunts and obtained good results. It has the regular screw in chokes that are so common today which gives you many options. Mossberg 500 Slug GunRecently due to an assignment request, I picked up another Mossberg 500 Slug Gun this one with a rifled barrel. I am running some tests on modern slugs so this is the perfect platform for this job.Some years ago Mossberg started to produce a model 500 with a rifled barrel. That gives a hunter a better and more accurate slug gun. Normally about 100 yards was considered the max distance that you could reliably hit a deer.
Like everything else, there has been some improvements with slugs. Some are effective out to a couple hundred yards due to velocity and aerodynamic design. To top it off a Hawke scope was mounted and my previous experiences with Hawke scopes has always been positive. Hawke Endurance ScopeI requested and received a Hawke scope to enhance the utility of this shotgun. While the 500's sights are good the scope is a 3 X 9 especially made for muzzle loaders and shotguns. It is the Hawke Endurance 3-9X40mm 30/30 Centre Cross Reticle model HK6356.
Hawke Endurance 3-9X40mm ScopeFor someone who wants a quality scope at a reasonable price. It has clearly visible dots that have the ability to light up in red. The strength of the lighting is adjustable and the dots should help you out at various ranges. As with all Hawke products I use the optics are crystal clear. Based on my experience with this and other Hawke scopes I would definitely recommend it. The optics are first class and it held up its end during the tests.For info you can go to www.hawkeoptics.comWith a Mossberg 500 Shotgun and a good scope such as the Hawke, used in the test, you are on level ground with a rifle out to 200 yards.Keep in mind shotgun slugs have a lot of recoil so a good quality scope is important.
For info on their line of products go to Shotgun Slug Ammo Line Up 12 Gauge Slugs Run DownI have tested quite a few brands of slugs including some of the well-known names such as the Brenneke Slugs. They have been around for over 100 years and are still one of the top choices for deer. Lightfield offers a full line of slugs including some big bear busters. Like any type of shooting you should try a few brands to see what you gun likes best.With the Mossberg I was working with it shot all of them pretty well, though some better than others. If I was going to take it hunting the slug chosen would be the one to match the game and conditions. Since there is a good choice I would try several brands. Any one of the brands I tried could be recommended as they are quality products but need to be matched to the gun.
Foster slugs are still available but probably don’t benefit from rifling but can be used. I have used them in smoothbores and they are good from 75 to 100 yards depending on the gun. To help out a little in trying some of these projectiles here is the contact info.
For Lightfield go to Kent makes various types of shotgun ammo including slugs and various types of birdshot. If you are looking for some shotshell ammo you should check them out. For info you can go to Since 1895 Brenneke has been producing superior slugs and in fact they were the first company to make an effective slug. Many of their current slugs have the design that came out in the 1890’s and they still work for info you can go to Shotgun SlugsThere are a number of other brands and such companies as Remington and Winchester make good slugs. There are some lightweight copper slugs, which I have shot in the past, and they are impressive. If you have a smoothbore and are on a budget the Foster slugs are still available and they still work. The original 12-gauge Sabot slugs for shotguns (the BRI – patented in 1968) was specifically for smoothbore (there being no rifled shotgun barrels then) barrels.
Smith and Wesson bought them out and marketed them heavily to police agencies. Officers purchased them as (much more accurate) slug rounds for deer (etc.) hunting and their reputation spread thru the hunting crowd. At that time gun manufacturers began making rifled slug barrels which extended the accurate range noticeably.
Any Sabot of a configuration similar to the BRI will shoot accurately thru smoothbore. Even more accurate and longer range with a rifled barrel obviously. Read your article and followed the link to the Hawke Scope you mentioned.I too have a Mossberg 500 with rifled barrel, but the combo came with a scope I am not at all pleased with. I shoot Hornady 12 guage sabot slugs and am very interested int he Hawke scope for my setup.
But, the link you provided for the scope indicates 2 different model scopes one for a 30-30 and one for the.223/.308. I understand the storied history of the Winchester Model 94, 30-30 as a great brush buster deer rifle, but was curious if this scope (eye Read more ».
NRA Instructor and RSO Aili deGreef of C2 Tactical demonstrates, Shockwave is aimed like a regular shotgunThe Mossberg® 590® ShockwaveTM is one of the hottest new firearms to hit the market in 2017. That’s not at all surprising, since the Shockwave offers shooters a compact, 14-inch-barreled 12-gauge reminiscent of the legendary Witness Protection Shotgun of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) but with no NFA (National Firearms Act) restrictions, as confirmed in a letter to Mossberg from the BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives).What makes this possible is the fact that a shotgun that has never had a stock on it isn’t technically a “shotgun” but a “firearm” insofar as Federal law goes. And if it has an overall length (OAL) greater than 26 inches (the Shockwave has an OAL of 26.37 inches), it’s not considered an NFA Title 1 firearm. Transfers only require the traditional 4473 when purchased from a dealer and, since it’s a pistol-gripped firearm, you need to be over 21 years of age to purchase one.The reason for this is that the BATFE considers an OAL of 26 inches or under to be concealable, which would make a 26-inch or shorter an AOW (Any Other Weapon) and subject to the purview of the NFA.
If it meets the mandated OAL to be considered non-concealable, barrel length is irrelevant. Keep in mind this only applies to Federal law. Your state or local laws may differ.
Although Mossberg 590 Shockwave only has a 14-inch barrel, it meets the overall length requirements to be BATFE compliant. It does not need the Federal paperwork and tax stamp for a short-barreled shotgun. MOSSBERG 590 SHOCKWAVEThe Mossberg 500® platform has been around for more than 50 years, with over ten million produced.
It has proven to be one of the most versatile and reliable pump-action shotgun platforms. It’s the only pump action to meet the rigorous testing requirements demanded by the U.S. Military to be declared milspec. It has seen action in combat around the globe and continues to do so.The 500 platform features a lightweight anodized aluminum receiver.
Dual extractors for reliable extraction, positive steel-to-steel lockup, non-binding twin action bars, and an anti-jam elevator/lifter ensure smooth operation. A top-mounted safety provides for ambidextrous operation. A large ejection port ensures smooth ejection. It has a combined trigger guard and lockplate made of glass-filled reinforced nylon polymer that can be easily removed to allow for limited trigger adjustments. Like all Mossberg shotguns, Shockwave has dual extractors for reliable functioning Large port ensures smooth ejection.The Shockwave has a matte-blued finish and features a three-inch chambered, heavy-walled 14-inch smooth-bore barrel with a cylinder bore. It also features a convenient clean-out magazine tube with 5+1 capacity with 2.75-inch shotshells, gold bead front sight, and web-strapped forend to keep the shooter’s lead hand clear of the muzzle and keep it in place during recoil.
Weight is 5.25 pounds. Forend has a nylon strap to ensure shooter’s hand does not cover the muzzle and stays in place during recoil.
SHOCKWAVE TECHNOLOGIESThe Shockwave features the Shockwave Technologies Raptor® Grip designed for the 500 series. The Raptor Grip is a new bird’s head grip developed and manufactured in the USA by Shockwave Technologies. It is molded of tough glass-filled nylon polymer. Reminiscent of the grip developed by Scattergun Technologies for the aforementioned USMS Witness Protection Shotgun but significantly improved, the unique angle of the Raptor Grip minimizes felt recoil and aids in control.It also brings the OAL of the Shockwave with 14-inch barrel to just over the required BATFE minimum. Both the Raptor Grip and forend feature a non-reflective black finish.
Bird’s-head grip is key reason why Shockwave meets BATFE’s length requirement. AT THE RANGEI tested the Shockwave at C2 Tactical in Tempe, Arizona. Located right off the I-10 freeway, C2 Tactical has been voted Best Indoor Range in Arizona. It has a 25-yard state-of-the-art range with 23 air-conditioned shooting lanes, a new state-of-the-art simulator, full retail store (including NFA firearms), gunsmith services, and much more. It also offers numerous training courses.
C2 Tactical is an authorized Mossberg dealer. They’re great people and have graciously provided use of the range for my evaluations.Federal and Hornady® generously furnished all the ammo used for testing, including Federal Premium® 00 Police Load, Federal Premium Low Recoil Rifled Slug, Federal Premium Magnum #4 Buck, Federal Premium 00 Buck, Hornady American Gunner® Reduced Recoil® 00 Buck, Hornady one-ounce rifled slug, and Hornady BLACK 00 Buck.The Raptor Grip and forend strap on the Shockwave did a great job of mitigating recoil. The low-recoil loads were very manageable and pleasant to shoot.
The standard loads were controllable, but the additional recoil was noticeable. The magnum loads, as expected, were downright uncomfortable. Low-recoil loads are clearly the way to go in a weapon of this type.The Federal ammo with its FLITECONTROL wads was the tightest patterning, with 00 patterns averaging around four inches at 50 feet from the Shockwave. The Hornady patterns were just a tad larger but still outstanding. Both companies make excellent ammo. You won’t go wrong with either.Functioning of the Shockwave was smooth and flawless, no surprise as there is no more proven action than the 500. Although I didn’t actually measure it, I would guess the trigger pull to be about 6.5 pounds.
The ambidextrous tang-mounted safety and Raptor Grip are an ideal combination, as if they were made for each other.The safety was easily manipulated. I have read reports that some users have found it difficult to get adequate thumb purchase on the Mossberg factory safety, especially when wearing gloves. I haven’t had any problems in this regard and prefer the snag-free design of the factory safety. Tang-mounted safety is ambidextrous.
Many experts believe it’s the ideal location for a safety.That being said, Brownells® offers a drop-in replacement that will address any concern. The Brownells safety features matte-black oxide-finished hardened all-steel construction and is shaped for no-slip operation with larger grooves. At just under $20, it’s inexpensive too.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONSA lot of misconceptions exist about firearms like the Shockwave. First, despite what you see in Hollywood action flicks, it isn’t designed to be fired from the hip. You can do so, but the correct technique is to bring it up to eye level and use it like a standard shotgun, except it isn’t shouldered.When so employed, the Shockwave is capable of surprising precision at the close ranges it is intended for.
We had no difficulty keeping all shots center mass at the 50-foot distance we were shooting at the range. The bead front sight proved more than capable.Recoil management is different with the Shockwave than it is with a standard shouldered shotgun.
You should ride the recoil, not fight it. As mentioned, the Raptor Grip and forend strap help greatly.
With reduced-recoil loads, there was no difficulty rapidly emptying the Shockwave into the target. Recoil was noticeably lighter than with the commonly encountered pistol grip.The Shockwave is designed for close-range applications. Coolness factor aside (it definitely is very cool), it’s a niche weapon. It’s not a general-purpose shotgun. But within its intended parameters, it’s an outstanding weapon.The Shockwave is a great gun for anyone who needs a compact gun with the punch of the 12-gauge round.
It’s an ideal firearm for home defense with the proper rounds, and a great car gun where allowed. There are also a variety of professional applications in which a short-barreled 12-gauge such as the Shockwave really shines. Mossberg 590 Shockwave meets requirements of those who need a compact gun with the punch of the 12-gauge round.
OTHER NEW MOSSBERG SHORT-BARREL OPTIONSIn addition to the non-NFA Shockwave, Mossberg has also come out with two new subcompact NFA shotguns—the 590A1® and 500 Compact Cruiser® AOWs. The 590A1 Compact Cruiser features a 10.25-inch heavy-walled barrel, 3+1 capacity, metal trigger guard and safety button, cleanout magazine tube, and parkerized finish.
The 500 Compact Cruiser features a 7.5-inch heavy-walled barrel, 2+1 capacity, and parkerized finish.As AOWs (Any Other Weapon), the 590A1 and 500 Compact Cruiser only require payment of a $5 transfer tax in addition to the required NFA paperwork. As many of you know, Short Barrel Shotguns (SBS) require payment of a $200 transfer tax.
Additionally, unlike an SBS, an AOW can be transported interstate without having to file a Form 5320.20 with BATFE.NFA versus non-NFA aside, the Shockwave is a much more practical weapon for most applications in which a short-barreled shotgun will be employed. The 590 and 500 Compact Cruiser AOWs are highly specialized weapons designed to serve very limited roles. Definitely a lot of fun, but for most readers not the best choice for personal defense. The Shockwave is a much better option in this regard. FINAL THOUGHTSIf you’ve wanted a short-barreled shotgun without the NFA hassle, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave won’t let you down.
It’s a great gun worthy of the Mossberg name. It has an MSRP of $455.00 and comes with a 10-year limited warranty covering defects in material or manufacture.Eugene Nielsen’s background includes protective intelligence investigations and threat management, as well as red teaming security consulting. He has a BA degree from the University of California. He currently owns and operates an investigative and security consulting firm and is licensed in both California and Arizona. MOSSBERG & SONS, INC.(800) 363-3555BROWNELLS(800) 741-0015C2 TACTICAL(480) 588-8802FEDERAL PREMIUM AMMUNITION(800) 379-1732HORNADY MANUFACTURING COMPANY(800) 338-3220SHOCKWAVE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC(727) 877-8277Photos by Cameron HopkinsTags.