i own a mossberg 500 ... it has the factory 28 inch barrel on it...i've shot all kinds of slug through it with no problem... of course i've always had an improved cylinder in it... its not very accurate (they reccomend a modified choke tube)...so i would definately recommend a slug barrel... but the incedent you described doesnt seem quite right ...what kind of barrel was it??

I have that same special issue hunting tag on my truck

I havent used my mossburg 500 using slugs in 15 + yrs but when i did shoot foster type slugs deer hunting etci never had a problem with it.(think it had the long trap vent rib/factory type barrel on it backthen.

yep They seem to have a variety of aftermarket barrels at good prices- slug barrels etc& a blackpowder barrel.

Id agree/go with the obstructed barrelpossibilitys

Several of us who use guns have been wondering what could have happened. It sounds like bigbulls has as good an answer as any we've theorized.

It's a good thing he wasn't aiming normally this time or he would be in "heap big trouble" (Indian lingo ).

I'll ask him some more questions about this and post them if I find out anything pertinent.

My buddy shot at a 6pt last year at 10yds. The deer was standing still He was using an 835, too. He pulled the trigger, and the buck just looked at him. He looked through the scope to shoot again...and couldn't see the deer very well.

It seems the end of the barrel had "banana-ed"....(peeled like a banana) and was split 3 ways.

Obstruction most likely wasn't the problem in his case...as he was in a stand and didn't walk far to get there.

Pro-Line, was your friend using a dedicated slug barrel for his 835.

If not the slug could easily get cocked sideways inside the bore and when it got to the choke peeled the barrel.

Remember we are dealing with 46 thousandths of an inch or 3/32nds" of extra diameter in the barrel of an 835. That is huge inside a barrel.

Years ago LOT'S of police departments bought Mossberg 500's. I saw the officers many times at the range, filling them with slugs and buckshot and shooting the he!! out of them!

Never heard of one blowing up though.

Drilling Man

my model 500 has handled slugs without fail. the manuel states slugs are alright and i believe even recommends a modified choke to pattern. i would have to think it was a abnormality with ammo or gun or both. unlucky things happen, ive seen super solid actions and barrels rupture, when its thier time its time.

i dont think its a mossberg flaw in general

Any chance they were using 3" shells in a 2 3/4" barrel?

Model 500 barrels have 3" chambers.

Mossberg

Can I fire slugs through my 835® vent rib, Accu-Mag® choke tube barrel? No, 835 field barrels (those with a ventilated rib) are "overbored", the extra inside diameter may cause the projectile to "wobble" producing unreliable accuracy. A projectile may wedge inside the barrel causing an obstruction. Obstructions of any kind can cause damage to the firearm resulting in personal injury. Dedicated smoothbore or fully rifled slug barrels are available for the Model 835®. Other 835® Accu-Mag® Choke Tube notes: Buckshot and steel-shot loads are not recommended for use with an Extra Full Turkey tube installed.