I recently bought my second Maverick 88 18.5 inch barrel defense shotgun. My eyes far away are as sharp as an eagles but up close i need glasses or something bright to aim. I put a Hi Viz snap on tactical sight on my gun, i like the tactical model as it has metal inside the plastic. When i fired with J.M. 7/8 ounce slugs offhand the gun at 50 yards, the slug went about 6 inches high, groups were within an inch or so, so it groups good. I then tested with AA heavy target 7.5 shot, the AA kicked harder than the slugs. The AA shot went about 2-3 inches above center, both the slugs and shot, shot center just high. Could it be the Hi Viz sight?, if I take it off though, the bead will be lower set than the fiber optic and won't it shoot even higher? Also I can barely see the little bead. Thanks for any help.
Mav 88 shootin high?
- Thread starter old fart
- Start date
1KPerDay
Member
Bead-sighted shotguns hitting high with slugs is very common. I hold at the beltline (bottom of the torso steel) to hit center with my 590/bead sight with slugs.
When you say the 7.5 shot hit 2-3 inches above center, what exactly does that mean? Did you shoot 7.5 shot at 50 yards on a pattern board?? Is the entire pattern above the bead? Or do you mean the CENTER of the pattern is 3 inches above the bead at 50 yards? Because if that's the case, you have zero problems. IF the entire huge pattern at 50 yards is atop the bead, that may or may not be an issue, depending on where you like your gun to hit. Some people people like a 100/0 pattern rather than the common 80/20 pattern (80% of the pattern is above the bead, 20% below).
When you say the 7.5 shot hit 2-3 inches above center, what exactly does that mean? Did you shoot 7.5 shot at 50 yards on a pattern board?? Is the entire pattern above the bead? Or do you mean the CENTER of the pattern is 3 inches above the bead at 50 yards? Because if that's the case, you have zero problems. IF the entire huge pattern at 50 yards is atop the bead, that may or may not be an issue, depending on where you like your gun to hit. Some people people like a 100/0 pattern rather than the common 80/20 pattern (80% of the pattern is above the bead, 20% below).
I am sorry about the range on the shot, it was at 15 yards or somewhere close to that.
1KPerDay
Member
Ok... so the question still stands. Is the entire pattern above the bead, or is the center of the pattern above the bead?
Alex Clayton
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- Jun 25, 2020
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Before you try anything else have you fired it off a good rest? I would do that first if you have not. Make sure its the sights.
No the center of shot was about 2-3 inches high from center of target, there was shot above and below center of target. but from what I could see the main center was slightly high. so the center of the pattern was above the bead aimed
1KPerDay
Member
IMO this is not an issue
Shotguns often hit slightly high. They are really designed for hunting and/or shooting clay targets and since most game, or clay targets are shot on the rise it makes it easier get hits. Those guns with rifle type sights designed for slug use can be adjusted easily.
2-3" high at 50 yards using that type of sight is a non-issue.
2-3" high at 50 yards using that type of sight is a non-issue.
Mossberg and their 18.5 inch barrels. Yes it will shoot significantly high with slugs as well as flite control buckshot. As stated before, due to the bead being mounted directly to the barrel, it brings the poi way up. Your best bet is to get some quality range time and learn your holds.
This is part of the reason why I decided to get field barrels cut down to HD lengths, it's poa/poi are right on because the bead is a lot higher up on the rib and not the barrel.
This is part of the reason why I decided to get field barrels cut down to HD lengths, it's poa/poi are right on because the bead is a lot higher up on the rib and not the barrel.
Last edited:
entropy
Member
Another thing to consider. The mag tubes on Mossbergs screw into the receiver, and it is not unheard of for one to be threaded off concentricity.
Of this is so on yours, best to leave it a bit high vs. R, L, or down.
Of this is so on yours, best to leave it a bit high vs. R, L, or down.
Gator Weiss
Member
The Maverick is for sure a reliable shotgun, have had some, never disappointed me at all. Keep your maverick, it works.
Update: I found with the J.M Fiocchi 7/8 slugs that at around 40-50 yards I was 6" high with good groups but I set up at around 80-100 and they were much closer to the center. I also decided to take half the fiber optic bead and when I did that they centered at 40-50 and I will take a whole bead at near 100. I have decided however to use either Remington 1oz sluggers or Federal 1oz slugs, they kick like a mule but they are almost center at 50 and dead even at 80-100 with fantastic groups for a smooth bore, so they shoot with a much straighter line but they do kick like a mule. Thanks
Extra tall bead sights are available:
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