A heavy-racked 12-point buck walks into the meadow. With a typical 5×5 frame and double drop tines for good measure, it’s a sight to behold. It feeds in your food plot, and you carefully raise that battle-tested slug gun. All that separates you from big buck glory is a well-placed slug round.
Ready to execute, you slow your breathing, steady your heart rate, and find balance. At first, the crosshairs dance wildly on the vitals. Now, they settle into a slow, rock-steady fixture on your aiming point. With a final exhale, you pull the trigger and drop the hammer. That slug gun bellows, and the buck falls.
Deer hunters live for moments like those mentioned above. And in those moments, they require reliable equipment that gets the job done. There’s no room to second-guess. It must perform.
Enter the realm of trusty slug guns. The Mossberg 500 Slugster is one to consider for most shotgun hunters. Read on for my take on this offering.
First Impressions of the Mossberg 500 Slugster
My first, out-of-the box impression of the Mossberg 500 Slugster was quite good. It looked rugged, and it is. It doesn’t have bells and whistles, and that’s OK, because this is a deer hunting gun that will be used in the field. It can handle scrapes and scratches and keep shooting just fine, and at the price point, it won’t hurt my feelings if I put a few scars on it. After all, hunting guns are tools, not showpieces, and they’re meant to fill tags, put meat in the freezer, and stack antlers. My first impression of the Mossberg 500 Slugster is that it can do a darn good job of just that. It groups well at acceptable shotgun slug yardages.
Mossberg 500 Slugster Specs and Details
The Mossberg 500 Slugster isn’t new on the block. This series has been around for decades, and it’s been honed since its inception. It’s ideal for hunting and sporting alike.
It’s offered in 20-gauge, but this review is in for the 12-gauge model.
The action is smooth, and it incorporates a standard pump. It also has dual extractors, twin action bars, anti-jam elevator, and steel-to-steel lockup. It includes a 3-inch chamber, which is perfect for most slug ammo offerings. It has a five plus one capacity (five in the tube and one in the chamber).
The gun does come with a fully rifled bore, which does enhance downrange accuracy. With a 24-inch barrel length, that’s perfect for increased accuracy and performance. The barrel has a matte blue finish. For the aiming system, it comes with adjustable rifle sights.
This model comes with a composite stock. It has an ambidextrous safety. Its length-of-pull is fixed, and it measures 13.87 inches. The overall length is 43.5 inches. It weighs 7 pounds.
Pros (Advantages) of the Mossberg 500 Slugster
The biggest advantage of the Mossberg 500 Slugster is its rugged design. I could immediately tell that it’s a well-built gun that can handle a bit of rough handling in the field. It offers that durability.
This gun also has a pump action, so shooters don’t have to worry about a semi-auto-related jam. That adds improved reliability. With proper cleaning and maintenance, jamming setbacks shouldn’t be an issue.
Compared to some other slug guns, this model has a better ammo capacity. With five plus one, that’s significantly more than other guns in its class, and even those at higher price points.
It’s also known for good accuracy, especially given it’s a budget build. All said, this gun is a great selection for those needing a slug gun in that $450 range.
Cons (Disadvantages) of the Mossberg 500 Slugster
Being a budget-level slug gun, it does come with some disadvantages. First, it has a fixed length-of-pull, but many slug guns do. Furthermore, it seems to have a stouter trigger pull weight, which might not be as appealing to some shooters. (A gunsmith can remedy this.) Also, it only comes in right hand, but the safety is ambidextrous. Lastly, given that it’s a budget-based, price-point slug gun, shooters might experience slightly lesser accuracy than with mid-grade and top-end slug guns. Compared to other models in its class, it performs quite well.
Who Should Buy the Mossberg 500 Slugster
Some might wonder, who should buy the Mossberg 500 Slugster? For starters, those who hunt in states that don’t allow necked-down calibers with cartridges and that have shotgun seasons. Those who live and hunt in states with shotgun hunting seasons are prime candidates. Examples include Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and more.
In places that allow shotguns, straight-wall rifles, and muzzleloaders, shooters must choose what they prefer, and which gun type best suits their needs. While shotguns have long reigned supreme, better barrels, increased accuracy, and other improvements have greatly elevated the abilities of muzzleloaders and straight-wall rifles. That’s certainly something to keep in mind.
All said, anyone who’s destined to hunt a shotgun season, and who wants to remain in that $400-$600 budget category, should definitely give the Mossberg 500 Slugster a long look.
A Personalized Opinion on the Mossberg 500 Slugster
My personal opinion of the Mossberg 500 Slugster includes positive and negative points. Overall, it tracks with the pros (advantages) and cons (disadvantages) I outlined above. These are arguments for and against buying this gun. For the money, it’s an excellent buy. It stacks up well to the slug guns within $150 of it. Of course, you get what you pay for, and guns in each of the higher “weight classes” have more to offer. Overall, this slug gun groups well and is plenty accurate.
Mossberg 500 Slugster Pricing
Head over to Mossberg.com and they have the 500 Slugster priced at $533. Sportsman’s Warehouse has it for $449.99. According to Grand View Outdoors, in 2012 (https://www.grandviewoutdoors.com/big-game-hunting/whitetail-deer/a-slug-gun-for-any-budget), a close cousin of this gun (the Mossberg 500 Turkey/Deer Combo with two barrels) was $521. Given the current climate, and recent bouts of inflation, the gun seems about right in pricing. Ask me five years ago, though, and I’d have said it felt about $75-$100 overpriced. Use Mossberg’s dealer location tool (https://www.mossberg.com/dealers/) for potential buying opportunities.
Mossberg 500 Slugster Price Point Comparisons
Those interested in shopping around, or comparing popular slug gun options, might check out the various comparisons below. From budget to top end, here are some other commonly selected slug guns, ranging from $579.99 to $2,149.
- Winchester SXP Black Shadow Deer Winchester’s SXP Black Shadow Deer is another great budget shotgun. It boasts a fully rifled barrel, fast rotary bolt action, Inflex Technology recoil pad, and TRUGLO fiber-optic sights. The gun comes in 12- or 20-gauge and is chambered for 3-inch for each. For the look, the stock finish is satin, and the receiver and barrel finishes are matte. It includes checkered textured grip panels. Aluminum alloy comprises the receiver material. The trigger and trigger guard finishes are matte black. The bolt slide finish is matte black chrome. The barrel length is 22 inches. Length of pull is 13 3/4 inches. The drop at the comb is 1 5/8 inches and at the heel is 2 inches. Overall length is 43 inches, and overall weight is 6 pounds 14 ounces. The gun holds four 2 ¾-inch shells. MSRP is $579.99.
- Browning BPS Rifled Deer Hunter Available from the long-trusted Browning brand, the BPS Rifled Deer Hunter is chambered in 3-inch 12-gauge. It features a steel barrel with a matte-blued finish, matte-blued receiver finish, satin stock finish, grade No. 1 black walnut stock finish, chrome-plated chamber, and a black ventilated recoil pad. The sling swivel studs are matte blued, trigger and trigger guard material are alloy, and trigger and trigger guard finishes are matte black. It has Cut 18 LPI checkering and the famous Buck mark in black. The length-of-pull is 14 inches, barrel length is 22 inches, overall length is 42 ¼ inches, and weight is 7 pounds 10 oz. The drop at comb and heel is 1 ¾ inches. It holds up to four 2 ¾-inch shells. MSRP ranges from $624 to $839.99.
- Henry Single Shot Slug Barrel Shotgun The Single Shot Slug Barrel Shotgun is a surefire winner by Henry. As Henry puts it, this is the elegant but tough solution for those who plan to hunt shotgun seasons. This break-action 12-gauge is chambered in 3 inch. The barrel is 24 inches, has a 1:35 twist rate, and comes as round blued steel. Overall length is 39.5 inches and the gun weighs 6.88 pounds. It comes with fiber optic front and rear sights and drilled and tapped scope-ability (Weaver 82 scope mount type). The stock is American walnut, butt plate is rubber, and length-of-pull is 14 inches. It has a single-round capacity. MSR is $636.
- Savage 212/220 Slug Savage’s 212/220 is a popular selection in the shotgun realm. This 12-gauge is chambered for 2 ¾ and 3-inch shells. The barrel is fully rifled, and the bolt-action slug design offers an accurate and rugged build. Furthermore, it features a synthetic stock, button-rifled barrel, two-round detachable box magazine, thread-in barrel head-spacing, and more. It even comes with the heralded AccuTrigger system. An oversized holt handle makes for easy operation. The matte receiver comes drilled and tapped with a one-piece rail for mounting. The trigger pull weight ranges from 2.5-6 pounds. The barrel material is carbon steel and receiver and barrel finishes are matte. It comes with a 1:35 twist rate. The overall length is 43 inches and weight is 7.85 pounds. MSRP is $819.
- Remington Model 870 SPS SuperSlug The Remington Model 870 SPS SuperSlug was made for the shotgun hunter. Offered in a 12-gauge model, it has a 25 ½-inch barrel with five longitudinal flutes that boost barrel rigidity and minimize weight and heat buildup. It comes with six Parabolic Ultragon rifling grooves, 1:35 twist rate, and is pinned to the receiver for better accuracy. A 3-pound trigger pull assists with accuracy, too. The 870 SPS SuperSlug also features a ShurShot pistol-grip synthetic stock, rubberized overmolding, and a SuperCell recoil pad. Length of pull is 13 ¾ inches. The drop (at the heel) is 2 inches. The receiver comes drilled and tapped and has a Weaver rail. It includes sling swivel studs. The receiver finish is matte black, and synthetic stock is Kryptek Obskura Transitional camo. The capacity is four rounds. Overall length is 47 inches, and average weight is 7.88 pounds. Get it for $849.99.
- Ithaca Deer Slayer III The Ithaca Deer Slayer III gets its name honestly and offers a lot to whitetail shotgunners. Its barrel and receiver are CNC-machined to aerospace tolerances using American steel. It’s built around the Model 37 action, has a fluted heavy-walled barrel, resulting in an Ithaca-reported 4-inch grouping at 200 yards. It’s available in 12- and 20-gauge — both chambered in 3 inch. The fluted fixed barrel is 26 inches. The 20-gauge has a 1:24 twist rate and 12-gauge has 1:28 twist rate. All models come with a gold-plated trigger, sling swivel studs, and a crisp 4- to 6-pound trigger pull. It has a five shot (four plus one) capacity. Select an optional thumbhole stock for 12-gauge only. It features bottom ejection. Choose between Grade A, AA, or AAA Walnut. Variations produce a variable MSRP ranging $1,399-$1,949.
- Benelli Black Eagle 3 The Benelli Black Eagle 3 is an excellent semi-auto slug gun option. It’s offered in 12-gauge (2 ¾- and 3-inch), 20-gauge, and 28-gauge, as well as compact and standard sizes and right- and left-hand models. The gun features a standard grip. Barrel lengths include 24, 26, and 28 inches. Length-of-pull is 14 3/8 inches, overall length is 49.5 inches, and weight is 5.4 to 6.9 pounds. It comes in six different stock finishes, including Black Synthetic, Gore Optifade Marsh, Gore Optifade Timber, Mossy Oak Bottomland, Realtree Max-7, and more. Choose between various barrel and receiver finishes. Capacity is three plus on. MSRP varies from $1,949 to $2,149.
More Info on Slug Guns
Some shooters might be new to slug guns. If so, it’s good to know the basics of this firearm type. While it certainly isn’t an exhaustive description, here are a few considerations regarding slug guns.
First, there are two types of slugs. The first is a rifled slug. The second is a saboted slug. Each comes with its own advantages, disadvantages, and best use cases. Generally, saboted slugs are more expensive than rifled slugs. Saboted slugs also tend to be more accurate downrange. Regardless of which you choose, be sure it’s compatible with your slug gun.
While slug guns have been dominant in the past, and to a degree, still are, one specific resurgence hasn’t helped their cause. Ammunition companies are pouring money into the improvement and revitalization of straight-wall calibers. With improved accuracy, reduced recoil, better ammo availability, more appealing trajectories, and other advancements, these are becoming more popular. Where these and slug guns can be used, some hunters are gravitating more toward the former. Recent inventions of Winchester’s .350 Legend and Remington’s .360 BuckHammer, have only compounded that.
Modern saboted shotgun slugs are more accurate than ammo of the past, though. However, because slug guns are usually known for lesser accuracy than rifles and muzzleloaders, some hunters might take steps to elevate performance. First, shotgun barrels move, and that decreases variability and accuracy issues. Consider allowing a gunsmith to pin the shotgun barrel — which improves performance. Second, you can improve the bore by modifying the forcing cone, crowning the barrel, and more. Another big one? Installing an after-market trigger. Slug guns are known for rough triggers, and that can be fixed with a replacement. Other options include reducing recoil with a pad, installing better optics, and more.
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