Steel shot + Mossberg 88

[Dr.Rob]

Another firearm I am supposed to sell is a Mossberg 88, looks clean, synthetic furniture plain jane +extra vent rib barrel with choke tube.

It's got a shell caddy on the stock for HD... and it's 3 inch BB STEEL SHOT I am guessing the owner had some goose loads left over? The only other shells was a 100 count of target loads.

I found 20 more shells on a camo bandolier so it may NOT have ever had steel shot through it. BUT... what if it did? Any harm?

Both barrels bright n shiny, not a mark on them.

 

[ugaarguy]

No harm. The Maverick 88 is a modern era shotgun and made to handle steel.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I guess I am still of the 'if its not explicitly marked for steel shot don't use it' mindset. Mossberg's site wasn't explicitly clear.

Nice utility shotgun though.

 

[ugaarguy]

Interestingly, the Mav 88 and the Moss 500 use the same bbls. The butt stocks can also be interchanged, and it sounds like the example you have has a Moss 500 SpeedFeed stock. That stock and the spare bbl make pricing it interesting. Academy Sports sells them new with one bbl (your choice of field or HD) for $190.

 

[Dr.Rob]

No it just had an elastic shell caddy. Forearm is nice though. It's no 'collector'. I have an offer on it already, probably sell the 26 inch barrel separately.

 

[ugaarguy]

Ahh, I misread that.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I had never taken one apart, I didn't realize you couldn't extend the magazine.

 

[Miked7762]

If it has the interchangeable choke tubes it's fine with steel.

From the Mossberg website:

Can I shoot steel shot through all barrels ?

No, not all barrels. Barrels with an interchangeable Accu-Choke™ or Accu-Mag™ choke tube system, yes (with proper tubes installed.) However, steel shot is not recommended for older "C-Lect Choke®" or fixed-choke barrels.

http://www.mossberg.com/frequently-asked-questions

 

[USAF_Vet]

I've shot steel aplenty through my Mav 88. Newer model, 28" vent rib accu-choke barrel, as well as 18.5" cylinder bore barrel. No issues at all.

 

[Kp321]

Even if Mossberg says steel is OK, I would invest in an extended choke tube for steady steel shot use. On the extended tubes, all of the constriction is past the end of the barrel. That way, if the steel shot does deform the choke, it does no harm to the barrel, just the $30 choke tube.