Shotgun Scope Help

IShootHostages

IShootHostages

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Victoria, BC
Need some advice regarding shotguns and scopes. I want to hunt deer on Saltspring again this year (it's shotgun only), last year I borrowed a friends semi-auto with a scope and managed to bag a decent size buck. I don't want to rely on him to borrow a shotgun every time I go out though so I need my own setup.

I have a Maverick 88, and I've looked high and low for a Mossberg barrel with an integral scope mount, but I can't find one anywhere. From what I've seen though the barrels cost about as much as the shotgun. On websites in the States I've seen shotgun scope mounts that attach without modifying the receiver, but I don't know where to find them in Canada. To be honest though the Maverick, while a good shotgun has horrendous recoil with slugs, partly due to it's light weight, it's fine for messing around at the range but I have serious doubts about whether I could hit a deer at 100 yards.

I've started to look at Mossberg Auto-loaders specifically the 930, because it is very reasonably priced. Additionally the Auto loaders really seem to soak up the recoil from the slugs allowing more accuracy. It sounds like the 930 comes with the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope mount, but I have been unable to find anyone who sells a scope mount for them ? On the Mossberg site they show a 930 package that comes with a rifled slug barrel and an integral scope mount on the barrel, but no one seems to sell the barrels here ?

I've even considered a Savage Slug warrior or an H&R break action with an integral scope mount, but I would prefer not to go this route unless I have to.

Anyone else been through the same thing getting setup for hunting with a shotgun ?
 
most big stores will sell slug barrels .i seen two of them yesterday for the mossberg one with sights and the other with cantalever base .if you buy a gun with screw holes in the gun already all dealers will have a weaver base to fitt .as far as scopes go you can buy cheap 1.5 to 4.5 bushnells and very pricey nikon and leupolds .sounds like you just need to bring up a name brand like S"I"R or cabelas or even BASS PRO thy all sell the stuff you are after DUTCH
 
Weaver base #417M is what you need to fit the 930 or any other Mossberg shotgun built after 1997 that is factory drilled and tapped. Anybody that carries Weaver products should be able to order it for you. Mine cost around $15 a couple years ago if I remember right.
 
I'm thinking about going with the Mossberg 930 Slugster, I've got a line on one, it comes with a 24" ported fully rifled barrel and has adjustable sights. I got confirmation from weaver that their 430M top mount will also fit on the receiver. I think I may try it without a scope to begin with, I'm thinking iron sights should be ok for under 100 yards. Thanks for all the replies
 
I have more than several Mossberg 500's, and I have been through 3=RED DOTS[BSA 30MM], and 1=3-9X40mm[BUSHNELL AO] scope, all of them 'blew up their objectives'. Now I need to clarify this, every failure was by an inexperienced shooter who didn't shoulder the shotgun correctly, and would let the gun 'jump around when firing' because of the recoil. Every piece of optic was warranteed by the factory, so I didn't even lose the postage, just some down time. I finally learned my lesson, ''I don't let ANYONE shoot my shotguns anymore'' so let this be a lesson to you, if you decide to allow some inexperienced shooter near your 12ga.! Other than these glitches, optics are a great advantage on a shotgun, don't let 'an uninformed know-it-all, who really doesn't know JACK!' tell you otherwise or dissuade you from this. They usually make ASSININE statements like ''yeah! it's a 12ga. just point it in the general direction, and you'll take down that whole barn''! Good Luck on whatever your choice.
 
IShootHostages said:
I'm thinking about going with the Mossberg 930 Slugster, I've got a line on one, it comes with a 24" ported fully rifled barrel and has adjustable sights. I got confirmation from weaver that their 430M top mount will also fit on the receiver. I think I may try it without a scope to begin with, I'm thinking iron sights should be ok for under 100 yards. Thanks for all the replies
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Hi IShootHostages,

Interesting handle you have... :D How about a side saddle mount like this one for your Maverick 88? www.opticsplanet.net/b-square-mossb...k-88-12-ga-shotgun-saddle-mount-no-rings.html.

Yah getting a shotgun barrel is about 80% the cost of a new shotgun. I went through the same thing a few years back with my Rem 870 looking for a short barrel. Luckily I found a used one for a reasonable price. In the process I also found another 870 that came with a fully rifled barrel with scope mount and scope on it for a good price. I decide to try it out too. From that experience I can tell you sabot ammunition, to get the best performance from a rifled barrel, is very expensive at $15+ per box of 5 rounds. I've also shot rifled slugs from my short barrel smooth bore. They are way cheaper at ~$5 for a box of 5 rounds. I prefer Federal Truball slugs as I found they gave the best accuracy (2" to 3" grouping) out to 50m. I have taken down a few deer with this combo. But if you want to shoot out to 100 yards the rifled barrel with scope is the way to go. As others have stated, get a good scope (more $) with a min of 3.5" eye relief. Another note, ported barrels make a hell of a report back towards the shooter. At the range with ear muffs on it is not bad, but in the field it could hurt.
 
If youre still considering scoping the 88, you will have to go with a side saddle mount. I picked up a wideview see-thru mount for mine off e-### for about $30 shipped. I wouldnt recommend this route as the barrel doesnt engage the reciever very well on a shotgun and shots will be all over the place as the barrel will shift a little shot to shot. This is why cantilever is a much better option for scoping. As for scopes, the lower end Leupolds are very affordable and the only difference between a VX-1 riflescope and shotgun scope is rifle has 1/4 moa click value and the shotgun has 1/2 moa. The eye relief is awesome and quality is fantastic for a cheap scope. As far as recoil with the 88, they have a long LOP and a hockey puck for a recoil pad. My Benelli was the same way and 3" Federals were brutal. A slip on limbsaver turned it into a loud, angry kitten. I went from pulling it into my shoulder tightly and flinching horribly, to just resting it on my shoulder and squeezing the trigger like I was shooting my .22. A precision fit limbsaver or similar would make a huge difference. Let us know how it works out and good luck!
 
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