buying my first shotgun on saturday

welder01

welder01

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I just wanted a cheap shotgun to head out to the hills with my buddy and shoot some clays. Got a deal for a maverick 88 ,12 ga. 28" barrel , modified choke for $180 in great shape. I think it will be fine for my first shot gun . I figured If I dont like it I can always flip it and get my money back. Also ,what ammo should I get for shooting hand thrown clays?
 
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Is a 12ga not too much for grouse? I always thought a .410 was supposed to be better. Also can slugs be shot with a modified choke or just a rifled barrel? Sorry for all the newbie questions but I know nothing about shotguns
 
welder01 said:
Is a 12ga not too much for grouse? I always thought a .410 was supposed to be better. Also can slugs be shot with a modified choke or just a rifled barrel? Sorry for all the newbie questions but I know nothing about shotguns
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12ga works just fine for grouse, just aim a little high and pop there little heads. A direct body shot would result in ... well not much left. However a direct shot with a 410 will also destroy the meat. so either way just aim slightly high. I think your best bet is still 12ga. Thats what i prefer anyway. And its cheaper to feed.
 
Slugs should be fine - improved cylinder or modified choke. Check your owners manual to be sure of manufacturers recommendations.
I've shot quite a few grouse with the 12 guage. If you're close range aim high. Longer shots, say 30 yards out your looking at 55%of your shot hitting a 30" circle so you're not gonna damage too much meat
 
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I bought one of those shotguns when I was a kid it is still kicking around and works like a charm, its getting old now and doesn't like the heavy loads anymore but light loads and small game loads are no issue for it. You will enjoy it.
 
Target loads, #7.5 or #8 shot. Because you'll be throwing your clays by hand they aren't going too far or too fast. An open choke like IC is ideal and will smash them to 25+ yards easily.

For wingshooting grouse a 12 ga. is fine. If all you're doing is shooting them on the ground, get a .410 or .22. But I see you're practicing at shooting clays in the air rather than just putting them on the ground and shooting them.
 
Ok, I got the gun and it is in pristine condition. I did notice though that when I tip the gun up and down there is something sliding around in there. I am not sure if this is normal or not. I sounds like it might be coming from the magazine but not entirely sure. I thought maybe there is a spring in the mag sliding back and forth but not sure. It does it with the action open or closed. Can someone enlighten me?
 
welder01 said:
Ok, I got the gun and it is in pristine condition. I did notice though that when I tip the gun up and down there is something sliding around in there. I am not sure if this is normal or not. I sounds like it might be coming from the magazine but not entirely sure. I thought maybe there is a spring in the mag sliding back and forth but not sure. It does it with the action open or closed. Can someone enlighten me?
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The mag plug
 
Check out CT, welder, they have boxes of a 100 Target Loads for $30 and change usually. In use them for grouse as well.
 
So I got the mag plug out, wow that is a simple barrel to take off. I have yet another question for you guys though, My 28" barrel says modified choke right on it, yet to me it looks like a completely smooth down the barrel. Like there is no choke at all. Also I thought Maverick 88's had removable chokes, mine does not seem to. is this normal? how noticeable should a modified choke be?
 
You will be required to re-install the plug back in again (as per Regs) if the plan is to hunt with the shotgun.

Looks like the barrel is equipped with what is generally known as a "fixed" choke. In other words, the bore (at muzzle end) has a constriction equivalent to what would be a Modified choke constriction. Having said that, the same may not always hold true particularly if the firearm was acquired used because the previous owner may or may not have further opened up the original choke constriction (as stamped on the barrel). At this point, the only way to ascertain exact choke would be via taking a measurement of same.
 
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