The Maverick 88

[fiVe]

Yesterday, I became the proud owner of a Maverick Security 88. 18½ inch barrel with a 5-round magazine tube. I bought it at Academy Sports for $169.00 and I'm glad to finally have a HD shottie.

3 questions:

Does a standard Marverick 88 have a cylinder bore or improved cylinder?

What is a slug barrel?

I've researched the Cylinder bore. At 40 yards, 40% of shot would be in a 30" circle. Does this mean that firing a 15-pellet shell of buckshot would always put 6 pellets in the circle? I guess I asking is this a hard and fast rule? If not, what other forces, variables, etc. are in play here?

Thanks for your time,
fiVe

 

[zinj]

What is a slug barrel?

There is no hard and fast definition of a slug barrel. However, a slug barrel is generally going to have rifle sights or a cantilever for mounting a scope. They usually are also 22" or less, and have IC or Cylinder chokes, if they are not rifled for sabots.

I've researched the Cylinder bore. At 40 yards, 40% of shot would be in a 30" circle. Does this mean that firing a 15-pellet shell of buckshot would always put 6 pellets in the circle? I guess I asking is this a hard and fast rule? If not, what other forces, variables, etc. are in play here?

You have to shoot each individual load through each individual choke to see what it does. There are too many variables to list that effect patterning. There are a few rules, but they are are broken quite frequently.

1. Tighter chokes (up to a point) mean tighter patterns
2. Softer shot material gives a looser pattern
3. Plated shot patterns tighter
4. Buffering material helps with tighter patterns

I would ignore pattern percentages. A choke becomes ineffective at the range when holes begin to develop in the pattern.

And as an aside, buckshot's effective range is measured in how far it keeps all pellets in the target.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I'm trying to join the 88 club but one of the stores near me wanted $300 for one!!!!! Good GOD!

I'll keep looking around.

 

[GlenJ]

$300? I just bought a Mossberg 500 Persuader/Cruiser yesterday for $300.

 

[Blue .45]

I just bought a Mossberg 500 Field/ Security combo for $343 and guns are high where I live. The Maverick goes for about $250 or so around my area of Illinois.

 

[Zach S]

Its a cyl bore bbl.

In my 20" 590, also cyl bore, my best patterns are from Federal LE133-00 (2.75" reduced recoil 8 pellet 00 buck), LE132-00 (9 pellet, otherwise the same as LE133), and H132 00 (in a differnt box than LE132, but otherwise I think its the same). H132 is what I have in it now, I got it locally. I ran out of LE133 and 32, which I got online.

All of these will keep all of the shot center mass of an cardboard bad guy 25 yards away (IDPA target). Cheaper shells, such as wolf and S&B do about the same at half the distance on a good day.

 

[pablo45]

I too have a Maverick 88 and it is my favorite shotgun. I have shot numerous amounts of slugs through mine and it has been fine. I was told by someone at a gun shop and he told me that the maverick can not handle slugs for some reason. I think he was jealous because he wanted a Maverick and i got the last one. I am not exactly sure what a slug barrel is. But if you are worried about shooting them through the Maverick don't worry about it. It will handle anyhting you put in there except 3 1/2 inch shots. I hope you enjoy it. God knows i have. I put pistol grips on mine for home defense and when i go hunting it goes with me in the truck. Congrats again.

 

[fiVe]

Thanks for the info and comments. I am confident I have a real winner here.

I've done research, but I still feel a bit ignorant about home defense and how to best load my shotgun.

For now I have it in "Cruiser ready" mode (safety off, not cocked, chamber empty, mag tube fully charged) with the following shells loaded:

1st shot: Federal #4 Turkey Magnum shot - 2.75"
2nd shot: Remington 00 Buck - 3"
3rd shot: Remington 00 Buck - 3"
4th shot: Remington 00 Buck - 3"
5th shot: Remington Slug - 2.75"

I tried to find some #1 Buck, but the stores were either out or did not carry it. I welcome any recommendations/suggestions about home defense loads.

Thanks for your time,
fiVe

 

[ZeSpectre]

Finally, Success!

Finally a success, found a Mossberg Maverick 88 “All Purpose” Field Model at the local pawn shop last night and was able to talk 'em down to $160. From what I can tell it had never been fired but was suffering from a bit of neglect as it had a light patina of rust on one side of the barrel and all over the magazine tube. I disassembled it and had at it with some fine steel wool and Kroil and now it looks great.

I had really wanted a shorter barrel but I'm not going to complain, especially that that price.

Wonder how long before I actually get over to the range to shoot it

 

[evbutler462]

Methinks you paid a little too much for the pawn shop Maverick. They usually sell new in box for $160.00 at Walmart and most of the big box stores. Good gun though.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I might have agreed (that I paid too much) but as I said in an earlier post I'm finding them around here for $250-300! (None of the Wal-Marts here carry guns, heck only a few of them carry ammo any more).

 

[evbutler462]

Are there any Dick's or Bass Pro or Gander Mountain? If not, try gunbroker.com. I have bought several guns off their site and only buy the bargains, brand names only. Saves a lot of money that can be used to buy ammo to go BANG!!!!!!

 

[Antihero]

Thanks for the info and comments. I am confident I have a real winner here.

I've done research, but I still feel a bit ignorant about home defense and how to best load my shotgun.

For now I have it in "Cruiser ready" mode (safety off, not cocked, chamber empty, mag tube fully charged) with the following shells loaded:

1st shot: Federal #4 Turkey Magnum shot - 2.75"
2nd shot: Remington 00 Buck - 3"
3rd shot: Remington 00 Buck - 3"
4th shot: Remington 00 Buck - 3"
5th shot: Remington Slug - 2.75"

I tried to find some #1 Buck, but the stores were either out or did not carry it. I welcome any recommendations/suggestions about home defense loads.

Thanks for your time,
fiVe

Well it depends on where you live and what you are defending your home from. If you live in an apartment you have to worry about over penetration, i would really recommend against 3" 00 buck and slugs. Others will have a better opinion about low penetration shotgun loads.

On the other hand if its bear and other wildlife i wouldnt use birdshot ever, i would personally use slugs all around or mixed with 00 or 000 buck.

I also have a Maverick 88 and love it, it scarily accurate with slugs for a smoothbore.

 

[chris in va]

WalMart can order one for you.

I noticed they raised the prices recently. The 870 used to be $229, now it's $269. 500 was $199, now $209.