I bought my Mossberg 500 slugster 1984. 24 inch smooth bore. Deer hunting in Michigan. mounted a scope, the rings kept loosening up from the recoil. I JB welded the rings used a 21/2 power scope. Where I hunted the deer came out in corn field 156 paces from where I sat. I have taken more than 40 deer one shot with that gun. It would hit a small paper plate at that distance. It liked Fed. and Rem 7/8 ounce slugs. Recoil would punish you so I didn't target shoot it. It is a excellent shotgun. I have had friends purchase all different brands of shotguns for deer hunting none have done any better than the Mossberg.