It’s almost turkey season here in Nebraska, and there are plenty of rifles to choose from. But, for our money, few shotguns get the job done as well as a Mossberg 500. We know, we know: the Remington 870 is everyone’s first thought when it comes to pump action shotguns, but here us out! They’re both great guns, but let us make the case for trying out a Mossberg 500 this season.

Why The Mossberg 500 Is Well-Suited Turkey Hunting

Turkey hunting places unique demands on a shotgun. Hunters spend hours walking, sitting against trees, or crawling into position before getting a single opportunity at a tom.

The Mossberg 500 excels in this role because it’s:

• Reliable in mud, rain, dust, and cold weather
• Available in dedicated turkey configurations
• Compatible with a wide range of choke tubes
• Affordable compared to many specialized turkey guns
• Super easy to maintain in the field

The simple, pump-action design has been known to function under conditions that might cause a semi-automatic to become finicky. If you’re only firing a handful of shots, that kind of reliability (and affordability) outweighs fast follow-up shots. 

Coolest Features Of The Mossberg 500 

Tang-Mounted Safety

One of the Mossberg 500’s most recognizable features is its ambidextrous tang safety located on top of the receiver. It’s a clever design that lets you operate with either hand while wearing gloves. Left-handed shooters, in particular, often favor the Mossberg over competing designs specifically because of this safety location. 

Dual Action Bars

The Mossberg 500 uses dual action bars to reduce binding while cycling the action. This helps maintain smooth and reliable operation even after years of field use.

Massive Aftermarket Support

Because of its popularity, owners can easily find a huge array of aftermarket parts, including:

• Turkey chokes
• Slings
• Optics mounts
• Stocks
• Recoil pads
• Replacement barrels

Basically, what is already a great gun out of the box can be tailored to your personal standards. 

Mossberg 500 Variants Worth Considering

Mossberg 500 Turkey

The standard model is more than sufficient, but the Turkey variant adds a few bells and whistles specifically designed for hunting turkeys:

• Short maneuverable barrel
• Camo finish
• Extra-full turkey choke
• Optics-ready receiver

Mossberg 500 Field

This is a  traditional hunting model suited for a wider range of fowl, like:

• Upland birds
• Waterfowl
• Small game
• Turkeys with a choke change

Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870

No discussion of pump-action shotguns is complete without comparing these two legendary platforms.

Mossberg 500 Advantages

More left-handed friendly

The tang safety is easier for many left-handed shooters to use.

Typically lower cost

The Mossberg often comes in at a slightly lower price point than comparable 870 variants. 

Easy loading

The shell lifter design is convenient when loading the magazine tube. 

Remington 870 Advantages

Steel receiver

The 870 uses a steel receiver, while the Mossberg 500 uses an aluminum alloy receiver. This could be a pro or con, actually: steel is more durable, but aluminum is lighter. 

Exceptionally smooth action

Many shooters describe the 870’s action as slightly smoother when cycling. 

Which Is Better?

The honest answer is that both have proven themselves for decades.

If you’re a lefty or otherwise prefer ambidextrous controls and a lighter gun, we’d go with the Mossberg 500 (also it’s less expensive). Then again, if you like the smoother action and want a steel receiver, the Remington 870 would be more your style.

Pump Action vs. Semi-Automatic for Turkey Hunting

This debate seems to come up every season. For the average turkey hunter, a quality pump gun like the Mossberg 500 will be more than adequate.

Turkey hunting rarely requires rapid follow-up shots. The first shot is almost always the most important. As a result, reliability, durability, and affordability usually matter more than speed.

That’s not to knock semi-automatics.They can absolutely be used for turkey hunting and they are much better multi-taskers: you can switch out chokes and barrels to hunt both fowl and big game. If you hunt more than turkeys, a semi-automatic rifle may be the better long-term investment.

Practice For Hunting Season At Our Omaha Indoor Shooting Range

Whatever firearm you choose, practice makes perfect! Visit The Marksman Indoor Shooting Range to hone your skills before turkey seasons starts. Call to reserve your lane or walk in any time! 

The Marksman Indoor Range

The Marksman is Omaha's top indoor shooting range. Our instructors have been shooting and teaching for decades and look foward to helping you improve your skill, whether you are a novice or a seasoned shooter. Stop by or book a class online today!

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