Gift recommendations on a Mossberg

[Lucky Strike]

We do a name drawing for christmas gifts on my wife's side for the "kids"(all of us that are under 35). I drew my sister-in-law's boyfriend and last time i was at a family function he mentioned that he was just given a Mossberg shotgun as a gift from his boss.

I'm pretty sure he said it was a model 88 and I think he said something about it not being able to shoot magnum loads if that helps identify things. I know he mentioned that he wanted to do some birdhunting with it.

Anyway we have a $25 limit on the gifts and I thought something for his new mossberg would be a gift he'd really appreciate since he was excited about getting it from his boss. I've never owned a shotgun (and only fired one like 2 times) so any suggestions on something i could get him would be appreciated.

 

[jesse485]

A box of shells is all a pumpgun really needs, around $20 for 100 if you buy from a big box store.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Yeah Wal-Mart has the 100 round packs for $16 or so.

 

[Rock_Steady]

Another option is to go to www.claytargetsonline.com and see if there is a local place that does Sporting clays or instruction. Might be able to get him a round, or $25 towards learning how to run that pumpgun a little better.

 

[redneck]

Any idea how much gear he already has? If he's just starting out, you could probably get him a boresnake, can of gunscrubber, and some oil for $25. That way he can take care of his new gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Mossberg shotguns usually come with only a few chokes including Modified and Improved Cylinder. If he wants to shoot clays he will need a sheet choke which isn't included when you buy a Mossberg shotgun. That would be a great gift accessory for his shotgun. Sheet chokes cost $15. The choke a small choke lube and you have a great gift without going over the price limit.

 

[Lucky Strike]

well it sounded like he just got it so perhaps he doesn't have cleaning stuff yet.

Getting him a box of shells with some cleaning supplies (or that skeet choke) sounds like a good way to go i guess.


Now i need help on what kind of shells to get.

I know he said it was a 12ga but as far as buckshot/birdshot, 2.5", 3", etc I don't know what would be good to get.

What would be a standard for target practice or killing birds?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

LS,
Check my post above your's, I was still writing when you posted and don't know if you saw it.

If he wants to bird hunt you don't want to buy him Buckshot, that's for Deer. It depends upon what birds he wants to hunt but usually something in a 3" shell and #8 shot will do for most small bird applications. For skeet to practice 2 3/4" #8 shells are better because they don't beat you up too much for practice.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Cool....thanks...yeah i'll look into the choke/shell combo gift. Any brands of shells in particular to look into or are they all pretty much the same

 

[rantingredneck]

If his gun won't handle magnum shells then it is likely a 2 3/4" chamber only. For upland bird hunting and clays 2 3/4" shells are the standard.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Any brands of shells in particular to look into or are they all pretty much the same

LS,
For breaking clays just about any name brand shells are fine. I have shot Federal Classic the most because they are usually on sale. I now shoot Winchester AA Low Recoil or Remington Managed-Recoil STS shells because I'm old now and my shoulder isn't what it used to be. When either is on sale I buy a case or two.