I have the Mossberg 535 turkey/waterfowl combo 12ga. I am planning on deer hunting this fall. What is the better setup? Do I purchase the rifled slug barrel, or can I set up the 28" smooth bore for waterfowl with a choke for rifled slugs? If so, what's the best configuration?

So... I have an improved cylinder choke that came with the gun... Now, my question is... Is it better on the 22" barrel with rifle sights or on the 28" barrel, which has the single sight

Best configuration; for deer hunting or for turkey/waterfowl ?

Deer = slug barrel

Turkey/waterfowl = smooth bore


Hunting all of the above.................one of each (both barrels).

If your state demands the use of a shotgun for deer hunting, then buy a fully rifled barrel, and get the one with the cantilevered scope mount if you can afford it.

Does your state allow pistol or muzzleloader for deer? If so, you do have other options that might cost no more than a brand new rifled slug barrel.

If your state does NOT demand a shotgun (or pistol or muzzy) you could probably find a used deer rifle for about what the rifled barrel would cost.

But if you're set on having the 835 serve both purposes the cantilevered-scope-mount fully rifled slug barrel is your best option .... the fully rifled barrel with rifle-sights-only your next best bet.

Now, if you know you're going to have real close shots, buckshot has killed an awful lot of deer over the years, as long as keep your shots in the vitals at an effective range.

You'll have folks tell you they've killed deer out to 50 yards with buckshot, but that is probably pushing the envelope a bit. If you can pattern your barrel and know the pattern while keeping your shots within 35-40 yards you can kill deer with buckshot consistently. Closer is better and way closer is way better.

I'd opt for the slug though, if you can afford the barrel.

For deer hunting get the rifle/cantilever barrel and decent scope

I tried both the 22" and the 28" barrels with the IC choke today with rifled slugs. Not too bad. Had a good grouping at 75 yards. But using the waterfowl barrel was hard to sight at that distance. Little better with the rifle sights on the 22"...

Definitely going to go with the rifled barrel with a scope using sabot slugs. Hear they pack a wallop at 100 yards and are pretty accurate.

Can only use slugs in Illinois. Not bad, though... Going to be about a 600$ investment all day... But I will have 3 barrels and am covered for hunting everything.

I have a great rifle.. Remington 721 30-06.. Legal for coyotes here, that's it...

Looking forward to hunting out of state for whitetail with that bad boy.

Thanks for the advice everyone

I like a scope in 3-9x40, you can find decent ones in the low price range from Nikon, Bushnell, Leupold, they also make more expensive ones. I love the Leupold VX-2 with a plex, about $300