I'm a shotgunning newbie that needs a little bit of help. I have a Maverick 88 as of now and i'm looking to trade up to something a little bit more versatile. I need a shotgun to do a little of everything: turkey, rabbit, light clays, birds, squirrels... you name it. The thing is as a college student I have a limited budget. What do you all suggest?
New shotgun for a new guy
- Thread starter alex909
- Start date
ThePunisher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Belleville/Kingston Ontario
Remington 870 wingmaster would be a good start, though you would probably have to go used to keep the price down.Look on the EE, they usually pop up for a reasonable price. 870's have lots of potential, and are very tough. Wingmasters have better quality finish than the 870 express. There are also many different barrels, from 30" to 12" plus slug barrels that are rifled and can accept scopes. Sometimes it is better to save a bit longer and get a gun that will last and be more reliable.
ThePunisher said:
My Mossberg/Maverick works great, and for under $200 brand new.
Goto the store, shoulder both, and see which one fits you better...physical, and pocket book wise.
Mavericks will take all of the Mossberg add ons/barrel types etc...except the fore end is different, but can be replaced later with a Mossberg one.
alex909 said:
That's easy...
Take it into a gunsmith and have him thread the barrel for some accu chokes, and buy yourself a short rifled barrel to throw on for Deer and such.
What more do you need?
BTW does your Maverick have one or two action bars attached to the fore end?
MauserMike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Well he says he wants to shoot trap for one thing. 28" or even 30" barrel is much more suited for trap.
I went through the same thing as you. My wife isn't exactly gun friendly so I picked the 870 Wingmaster figuring it is unlikely I will be able to own a closet full of shotguns. Brand spanking new, came with three chokes and a beautifully finished stock. Gonna marry my two daughters with that gun
There isn't anything you can't do with the 870. You can add a rifled barrel later if you get serious about shotgun deer hunting. Myself I like to blast birds with it - clay, duck, goose or turkey. Its reliable, well made and doesn't rust like the express 870's I see.
11-87 premier is a beautiful gun too if you want an autoloader.
I went through the same thing as you. My wife isn't exactly gun friendly so I picked the 870 Wingmaster figuring it is unlikely I will be able to own a closet full of shotguns. Brand spanking new, came with three chokes and a beautifully finished stock. Gonna marry my two daughters with that gun
There isn't anything you can't do with the 870. You can add a rifled barrel later if you get serious about shotgun deer hunting. Myself I like to blast birds with it - clay, duck, goose or turkey. Its reliable, well made and doesn't rust like the express 870's I see.
11-87 premier is a beautiful gun too if you want an autoloader.
Then buy a longer barrel. 
IMHO the length of the barrel doesn't make that much of a diff'...guys at our trap range are using 18.5"ers, and are getting pretty much the same scores they did with the longer barrels. Mind you I'm not sure what the official trap shooting regs on barrel length are.
But if your set on buying another shotgun I'd be the last to stop yah...just trying to save you a little money.
IMHO the length of the barrel doesn't make that much of a diff'...guys at our trap range are using 18.5"ers, and are getting pretty much the same scores they did with the longer barrels. Mind you I'm not sure what the official trap shooting regs on barrel length are.
But if your set on buying another shotgun I'd be the last to stop yah...just trying to save you a little money.
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If it were me (and I'm also a student on a budget), I'd pick up another barrel for your 88. Look at a 28" or 30" barrel (they take Accu-chokes I think) and pick up a Modified choke and you're good to go for Geese and Ducks.
Your current setup with the 18.5" will be fine for rabbits, grouse, deer etc.
The barrel and choke shouldn't set you back more than 200 taxes-in and you effectively have 2 guns.
Your current setup with the 18.5" will be fine for rabbits, grouse, deer etc.
The barrel and choke shouldn't set you back more than 200 taxes-in and you effectively have 2 guns.
- Location
- Near Coldwater, Ont
A 28" barrel to fit your 88 will actually run you around $150 to $160 from SIR or Wholesale. It comes with 3 chokes (IC, Mod and full). You can get a new model 88 with a 28" barrel and one choke for around $200 from the same sources.
I've had a mav 88 for close to thirteen years, tough, unbelievably tough. I've got the 28" barrel, us eit on rabbits, grouse, pheasants, ducks/geese, and clays. Like was mentioned for under 200 you can pick up a longer barrel with interchangable chokes for different conditons and your shorty would make for a great bush gun.
New barrels are all you need bud.
Remember - Mossberg 500 barrels fit your gun. I saw some cheap online at SIR a ways back - i'd start my search there if i were you and check out some of the other outlets.
Mossberg/maverick barrels are fairly inexpensive. So you should be able to afford a couple over time.
Remember - Mossberg 500 barrels fit your gun. I saw some cheap online at SIR a ways back - i'd start my search there if i were you and check out some of the other outlets.
Mossberg/maverick barrels are fairly inexpensive. So you should be able to afford a couple over time.
