You shouldn't have any problem with 25 - 50 yards shooting slugs out of the Mossberg with the smoothe bore. I do kind of the same thing, When I hunt in the woods and my range is limited I use my Mossberg 500 with a smoothe bore slug barrel with rifled sights - It loves the Federal Tru ball slugs - I would deffinately advise looking into them - I feel very confident shooting that setup out to about 80 yards I could probably go further but when I hunt in more open areas I use my 11-87 with the fully rifled barrel with a nikon scope and shoot the Hornady sst's, those I feel good about shooting 150 yards plus with a good rest.