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Author Topic: shotgun slugs  (Read 2095 times)

Offline steeleywhopper

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shotgun slugs
« on: November 14, 2008, 04:20:05 PM »
I am wondering what brand and style of slugs any of you guys use with good success out of a smooth barrel. I have a remington 870, 26inch barrel and shoots only 2 3/4inch shells. I seem to have good success with Federal Sabot slugs. seems to shoot pretty straight out to 75 yards.
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Offline Bscman

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Re: shotgun slugs
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2008, 04:14:05 PM »
I'm suprised you're finding that sabot slugs are shooting best for you.

Generally speaking, they are not designed for smooth bore barrels--they are designed for RIFLED barrels. Without rifling, it's very difficult to get a sabot slug to stabilize...my experience has them tumbling or flying very erratically.
However, they are typically lighter and faster (and of better design) so they can be great for hunting--you can take advantage of larger bullet design. A rifled barrel and sabots turns a shotgun into one heck of a powerful LARGE bore rifle.

That being said, my favorite slugs (and first choices if I ever hunted with a shotgun) would be dixie slugs out of my 20" smoothbore...next would be the Brenneke Black Magic. The latter is spec'd for 3" groups at 100yds--and I've come close to that with the few boxes I've tried. Both are designed to be TOUGH and are harder than most traditional foster slugs--which makes 'em great for larger game.

That being said, I find myself buying a lot of Winchester 12ga 2 3/4" rifled HP slugs from walmart since they're only $3.17 per box and do reasonably well from my 870...I mostly plink with them, but can't see why they wouldn't work well on deer with the 75yd range you've given.

You might consider a shorter barrel.
Most slugs optimize in 18-20" of barrel. Beyond that you're actually slowing things down (friction) and keeping the slug in the barre longer, which can decrease accuracy (and you take the recoil).
If you truly want to take advantage of your sabot slugs, but a rifled barrel. They can be had for ~$110 NEW if you shop around, and will at least double the effective range of those expensive slugs you're wasting through your smoothbore.
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Offline rainshadow1

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Re: shotgun slugs
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2008, 04:29:10 PM »
 :yeah:

I had a heckuvuh hard time shooting those spendy Hornady 300gr sabot slugs out of anything but a fully rifled barrel. They were awesome out of the rifled barrel, but WILD out of anything else, including a rifled tube.

Now I sold that gun and don't have a rifled barrel for my new one... Anybody want a good deal on a bunch of SST's?!?! I've got about 36 rounds!
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Offline CP

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Re: shotgun slugs
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2008, 04:31:51 PM »
I’ve found that Remington sluggers are most accurate in open or improved chokes.  They are slightly oversized and lose accuracy in tighter chokes.  The cheap Win and Federals work better for Mod or full chokes.  All are very effective for deer at close range.  No need for expensive slugs when shooting a smooth tube.

Offline MountainWalk

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Re: shotgun slugs
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2008, 09:59:44 PM »
I think sabot slugs are WAY overrated. The companies have been busy trying to sell and make a shotgun into something it is not, a long range weapon. We forget that England and Germany used to make fine twelve bore rifles. Instead of shooting 45 and 50 cal bullets out of a 72 cal gun, why not take their lead and make a slow twist shotguns with real full size 12 bore slugs. They have tons of horsepower, and shoot great out to 125 yards. But I guess its too easy to sell copper and plastic tipped bullets to folks.
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