In the area that I go hunting there is regulations on what you can hunt with and the type of hunting you can do. This area has what is called a controlled hunt. What this exactly means will be covered in a different blog. In the controlled hunt you are allowed to shoot certain animals and hunt with certain firearms. This mainly being a muzzleloader or shotgun. This is done in more populated areas as the projectile doesn't travel as far making things safer.

You can go and purchase just about any shotgun for this hunt and it will work for you but in order to improve your success you will want to make certain upgrades. Upgrades can include but not limited to rifled barrel, synthetic stocks, slings, upgraded sights or optics, and even extra shell holders. The options are endless depending on you budget.

Here we are going to start out with a Mossberg 500 pump shotgun in 12 gauge. A very well built and dependable platform that is easily customisable. Here is a before picture showing a long barrel with adjustable choke and blonde wood stock. Great gun and I have used it a lot for deer hunting but it could be better. Here is what I have done to improve the overall usability of the gun. As an amazon associate I earn from qualified purchases.

Before - In need of some upgrades

1. The first thing I did to this gun was to replace the barrel. Now you can buy rifled barrels which means you should be shooting sabot slugs which cost way more or you can go with a cylinder bore choke and shoot rifled slugs, much more economical. I went with the later as I find the accuracy equally as good through this gun.
2. Remove the stocks and replace it with a synthetic plastic one. The reason I did this as some of the bush areas we hunt are very thick and wood stocks are prone to scratch but the main reason is the time if year we hunt. Either November or December can be very wet. Rain and snow is a constant occurrence while hunting and the plastic stock just gives you that extra level of durability and protection against the elements.

Hogue synthetic stock - https://amzn.to/3IwNfZw

3. In order to replace the rear stock on your gun most manufactures attach them with a long screw threaded from behind the but pad. You need a long flat screwdriver to reach this screw. An important thing to remember is to use Loctite when installing the new stock screw. Put a dose on the threads before reassembling it. I have had these come loose over time and boy does it throw your shot off. The last things you want when the moment of true arises.

Loctite - https://amzn.to/3TsMx5P

4. So now that we have our stock and barrel all installed the next thing is to add better optics. The way to do this with a shotgun is to install a saddle mount. This attaches via the pins in the guns receiver and sits overtop of the gun so you can add fiber optics, red dot or scope. What ever is your preference. I chose the sun optics all aluminum mount. Very well built and will last years of abuse in the bush. This installs by you drifting out two pins in your guns receiver. Remember when drifting metal pins, use brass or other soft material to not damage the finish. When you get the saddle mount put in place drift the main pin back in and install the bolt provided. Very easy to do with most guns.

5. Now that we have the scope mount in place the next thing to upgrade our slug gun is to add a red dot sight. This will attach to the picatinny rail you just installed the same as any scope mount on a rifle. Once installed you can sight it in for your desired distance and you are ready to go hunting.

Red dot scope - https://amzn.to/49FMV6C

Now we have a completely different looking gun than when we started. We took a 30 year old shotgun that always worked well and upgraded the barrel, stocks and optics. now we have a gun that will last in the weather and perform to anyone's standards. Click below to watch the video on all the process.