Slug guns in 12 ga

[JDHasty]

When they were making them at King Ferry they had some that the bluing freckled on and that is what my favorite is.  I think I paid something like $350 for it.  You are right, 20 ga DSIIs go high or go fast.  The 870 can be modified by a number of means to get them as accurate as a DSII, maybe.  But it costs quite a bit.

[Magnum_Willys]

We got the mossberg camo ata 12 gauge comes with rifled and regular barrels for about $400. Tack driver out to 200 yards. Very happy with em. Any slug gun is very sensitive to brand of ammo - we tried 3 before we found one they liked.  Winchester sabot xps
Not sure you can get mossbergs new now? Been a couple years.

[JDHasty]

We got the mossberg camo ata 12 gauge comes with rifled and regular barrels for about $400. Tack driver out to 200 yards. Very happy with em. Any slug gun is very sensitive to brand of ammo - we tried 3 before we found one they liked.  Winchester sabot xps
Not sure you can get mossbergs new now? Been a couple years.

My experience is that some slug guns are ammo sensitive.  Mine are pretty darn accurate w/most any and outstandingly accurate w/those they like.  I have a couple solid frame DSII, and a smooth 24 inch take-down DS barrel that I have a cantelever scope mount that I got from Brownells silver soldered to, and a rifled 20 " takedown DS barrel w/open sights that I use in an Ultra Featherweight and only shoot the reduced recoil Lightfield Hybrid Elite out of that one. 

This is what causes a lot of "ammo sensitivity:"

[JDHasty]

Cleaning the plastic and lead out of the barrels is what it has taken for me to make that statement.

Here is how you do that: get a steel one piece Kleen Bore or similar rod and a big aluminum jag and it should fit so tight that you need to put the handle on the ground and use both hands to push the barrel down over it. Soak the barrel with Shooters Choice, Kroil or whatever and then shove the patched jag through. If it takes two or three patches to get it so it is really tight, then do that. Then get an ALL COPPER Chore Boy (and I mean all copper, some of them are now copper plated steel wool. Take a magnet with you to buy them) and tear off a hunk and shove that through the same way. The lead will come out in flakes on the patches and more will come out with the Chore Boy and you can see it.

Repeat this a few times and your barrel will then be clean and then I have never had any accuracy issues with slug guns. Me, I like Ithaca's and I do get better accuracy than what others around here have using other brands of slug gun, but after cleaning the barrel the way I said their slug guns shoot entirely acceptable groups.

Then keep it clean and don't allow the lead and plastic to build up.

[JDHasty]

I got into slug hunters like these when I was living back east, the bolt action fully rifled slug guns are a lot of fun.  Look into the website "Tar Hunt Rifles" they are about as good at building bench rest quality slug guns as you can find and their shooting tips are as close to gospel as I have ever read. 

I currently own a Browning A-Bolt Slugger 12 Ga and a Mossberg 635 in 12 Ga.  With lightfield commander 3 inch slugs they are exceptionally accurate.  The Mossberg is a heck of a deal for the money.  It is a fully rifled and ported 3' Magnum bolt action with two in the magazine one in the chamber.  The picanny rail is ideal for mounting any optic you like.  You can find them on GB for 250-350 dollars with a little surfing.

That is good advice.  Tar Hunt's methodology for bench shooting has much to be recommended over my methodology at least until you are really getting your shoulder into the stock or shooting off a bench (like mine) that adjust to such height that you can stand and shoot from it.  Shooting one of these 12 ga slug guns off a bench when you are sitting and not really able to rock back with the recoil and not holding onto the fore end when shooting 3" slugs can cause you to be seriously injured.  I do shoot these guns from a bench sitting down and I do not grip the fore end at all, it just lays on my front rest bag, but again I really, really must caution against this practice.  These guns have more free recoil than most all African game rifles.

If you doubt me, here's your free recoil calculator:  http://handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp 

 

[finnman]

This has been a great read! I am in the market for a slug gun, I anticipate my wife will be drawing her Umatilla Wildlife refuge tag this year in Oregon, I borrowed a friends old bolt slug gun in 2011 when I drew this tag, lets say it was a nightmare. So I am looking at buying a brand new one. The 20 ga. does have me asking questions about why go with a 12?

[JDHasty]

This has been a great read! I am in the market for a slug gun, I anticipate my wife will be drawing her Umatilla Wildlife refuge tag this year in Oregon, I borrowed a friends old bolt slug gun in 2011 when I drew this tag, lets say it was a nightmare. So I am looking at buying a brand new one. The 20 ga. does have me asking questions about why go with a 12?

A lot more available on the used market.  Seriously, I have never used a 20 ga slug gun, but hear that they are just fine for deer.  I do use the reduced recoil lightfields in my aluminum frame Ultra Featherweight and they work just fine.  Actually the regular 2-3/4 works better than the 3" out to about a hundred yards.  The reduced recoil are pretty easy on the shoulder, I can't imagine anyone having a problem with them if they can shoot a 243

[Bob33]

This has been a great read! I am in the market for a slug gun, I anticipate my wife will be drawing her Umatilla Wildlife refuge tag this year in Oregon, I borrowed a friends old bolt slug gun in 2011 when I drew this tag, lets say it was a nightmare. So I am looking at buying a brand new one. The 20 ga. does have me asking questions about why go with a 12?

A 12 has more energy, and is the minimum legal caliber for elk. Other than that, the 20 is fine.

Remember that it is far easier to download a 12 gauge, than it is to upload a 20 gauge.  I use these in 12 gauge for deer: http://www.hornady.com/store/12-GA-Custom-Lite-Slug/

[JimmyHoffa]

I got into slug hunters like these when I was living back east, the bolt action fully rifled slug guns are a lot of fun.  Look into the website "Tar Hunt Rifles" they are about as good at building bench rest quality slug guns as you can find and their shooting tips are as close to gospel as I have ever read. 

I currently own a Browning A-Bolt Slugger 12 Ga and a Mossberg 635 in 12 Ga.  With lightfield commander 3 inch slugs they are exceptionally accurate.  The Mossberg is a heck of a deal for the money.  It is a fully rifled and ported 3' Magnum bolt action with two in the magazine one in the chamber.  The picanny rail is ideal for mounting any optic you like.  You can find them on GB for 250-350 dollars with a little surfing.

That is good advice.  Tar Hunt's methodology for bench shooting has much to be recommended over my methodology at least until you are really getting your shoulder into the stock or shooting off a bench (like mine) that adjust to such height that you can stand and shoot from it.  Shooting one of these 12 ga slug guns off a bench when you are sitting and not really able to rock back with the recoil and not holding onto the fore end when shooting 3" slugs can cause you to be seriously injured.  I do shoot these guns from a bench sitting down and I do not grip the fore end at all, it just lays on my front rest bag, but again I really, really must caution against this practice.  These guns have more free recoil than most all African game rifles.

If you doubt me, here's your free recoil calculator:  http://handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

I'm normally up for shooting ridiculously punishing guns, but man oh man--put a 1 oz slug in a scoped slug gun and shot it prone....not doing that again!  Don't know what got it worse....my shoulder or my nose.  I keep the 1 oz for the pump now.

[JDHasty]

This has been a great read! I am in the market for a slug gun, I anticipate my wife will be drawing her Umatilla Wildlife refuge tag this year in Oregon, I borrowed a friends old bolt slug gun in 2011 when I drew this tag, lets say it was a nightmare. So I am looking at buying a brand new one. The 20 ga. does have me asking questions about why go with a 12?

If I ever do stumble across a 20 ga DSII for a good price I will have it, that much I can promise you.  I prefer to shoot an Ithaca Mod 37 20 Ga bird gun whenever I can get away with it and the thought of having a little 20 DSII is quite alluring to me. 

[Widgeondeke]

This has been a great read! I am in the market for a slug gun, I anticipate my wife will be drawing her Umatilla Wildlife refuge tag this year in Oregon, I borrowed a friends old bolt slug gun in 2011 when I drew this tag, lets say it was a nightmare. So I am looking at buying a brand new one. The 20 ga. does have me asking questions about why go with a 12?

A 12 has more energy, and is the minimum legal caliber for elk. Other than that, the 20 is fine.

Remember that it is far easier to download a 12 gauge, than it is to upload a 20 gauge.  I use these in 12 gauge for deer: http://www.hornady.com/store/12-GA-Custom-Lite-Slug/

not arguing with ya Bob33. just stating frustration: It is legal to use a .243 rifle, bow & arrow, muzzleloader and a .25 handgun(if barrel is 4"), but a 20ga slug isn't adequate by the law 
All 4 hits on our deer were complete pass thru: 1 liver/gut(kids first ever shot on a deer and it was at 112yds), 1 heart and 2 lung. Blew right thru the ribs on both sides.

[fishnfur]

I got into slug hunters like these when I was living back east, the bolt action fully rifled slug guns are a lot of fun.  Look into the website "Tar Hunt Rifles" they are about as good at building bench rest quality slug guns as you can find and their shooting tips are as close to gospel as I have ever read. 

I currently own a Browning A-Bolt Slugger 12 Ga and a Mossberg 635 in 12 Ga.  With lightfield commander 3 inch slugs they are exceptionally accurate.  The Mossberg is a heck of a deal for the money.  It is a fully rifled and ported 3' Magnum bolt action with two in the magazine one in the chamber.  The picanny rail is ideal for mounting any optic you like.  You can find them on GB for 250-350 dollars with a little surfing.

That is good advice.  Tar Hunt's methodology for bench shooting has much to be recommended over my methodology at least until you are really getting your shoulder into the stock or shooting off a bench (like mine) that adjust to such height that you can stand and shoot from it.  Shooting one of these 12 ga slug guns off a bench when you are sitting and not really able to rock back with the recoil and not holding onto the fore end when shooting 3" slugs can cause you to be seriously injured.  I do shoot these guns from a bench sitting down and I do not grip the fore end at all, it just lays on my front rest bag, but again I really, really must caution against this practice.  These guns have more free recoil than most all African game rifles.

If you doubt me, here's your free recoil calculator:  http://handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

I'm normally up for shooting ridiculously punishing guns, but man oh man--put a 1 oz slug in a scoped slug gun and shot it prone....not doing that again!  Don't know what got it worse....my shoulder or my nose.  I keep the 1 oz for the pump now.

    I feel your pain JimmyHoffa - I think I have a few permanent scope eye scars myself.  Lying prone with a big hitter is no fun for the shoulder at all. 

Re: Mossberg - there are many pros and cons to this choice.  Great price and multi-function, just so- so reviews.    I finally dropped it off my list because there are a significant number of dissatisfied owners.  Some love 'em, some hate 'em.  I kind of liked the option of having interchangeable barrels, one for field, one rifled for deer, but most serious deer hunters needling a slug gun lean towards a dedicated deer slug gun w/o an option to change barrels for other purposes.  I took their word on this one.  I have a side by side 16 gauge already so that covers anything else I may want to do with a smaller shotgun.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php  and https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php  are a couple of the best priced shops I found for slug guns. 

[Maverick]

What kind of scopes are you guys mounting on your shotguns? Are the rifled screw in chokes enough or do you need a full rifled barrel?

[JDHasty]

What kind of scopes are you guys mounting on your shotguns? Are the rifled screw in chokes enough or do you need a full rifled barrel?

I use a couple TR1 Nitrex that I think are 1.5-6 power and love them.  My buddy has a Leupold 1-4 slug gun scope and has had to send it in for repair once, but I think he likes it fine.  It has too thick crosshairs for me though.  I have never used the rifled tubes, but my smooth bores are good for a hundred yards and then somewhere after that accuracy falls apart using Foster or Brenneke slugs.  The Lightfields & Hastings (now marketed as Rotweil) will go two hundred out of the rifled guns, but look like they were shot out of a slingshot if you are watching them come in to the target at 200 through a spotting scope. 

[JDHasty]

I got into slug hunters like these when I was living back east, the bolt action fully rifled slug guns are a lot of fun.  Look into the website "Tar Hunt Rifles" they are about as good at building bench rest quality slug guns as you can find and their shooting tips are as close to gospel as I have ever read. 

I currently own a Browning A-Bolt Slugger 12 Ga and a Mossberg 635 in 12 Ga.  With lightfield commander 3 inch slugs they are exceptionally accurate.  The Mossberg is a heck of a deal for the money.  It is a fully rifled and ported 3' Magnum bolt action with two in the magazine one in the chamber.  The picanny rail is ideal for mounting any optic you like.  You can find them on GB for 250-350 dollars with a little surfing.

That is good advice.  Tar Hunt's methodology for bench shooting has much to be recommended over my methodology at least until you are really getting your shoulder into the stock or shooting off a bench (like mine) that adjust to such height that you can stand and shoot from it.  Shooting one of these 12 ga slug guns off a bench when you are sitting and not really able to rock back with the recoil and not holding onto the fore end when shooting 3" slugs can cause you to be seriously injured.  I do shoot these guns from a bench sitting down and I do not grip the fore end at all, it just lays on my front rest bag, but again I really, really must caution against this practice.  These guns have more free recoil than most all African game rifles.

If you doubt me, here's your free recoil calculator:  http://handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

I'm normally up for shooting ridiculously punishing guns, but man oh man--put a 1 oz slug in a scoped slug gun and shot it prone....not doing that again!  Don't know what got it worse....my shoulder or my nose.  I keep the 1 oz for the pump now.

    I feel your pain JimmyHoffa - I think I have a few permanent scope eye scars myself.  Lying prone with a big hitter is no fun for the shoulder at all. 

Re: Mossberg - there are many pros and cons to this choice.  Great price and multi-function, just so- so reviews.    I finally dropped it off my list because there are a significant number of dissatisfied owners.  Some love 'em, some hate 'em.  I kind of liked the option of having interchangeable barrels, one for field, one rifled for deer, but most serious deer hunters needling a slug gun lean towards a dedicated deer slug gun w/o an option to change barrels for other purposes.  I took their word on this one.  I have a side by side 16 gauge already so that covers anything else I may want to do with a smaller shotgun.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php  and https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php  are a couple of the best priced shops I found for slug guns.

No argument on the pain associated with shooting big recoil off the bench, its not for everyone.  I"m not sure it for me anymore, I'd like to think that I'm getting smarter as I get older. 

I've always used Trijicon accupoint scopes on my slug guns as well as most other rifles. I am a confirmed scope snob.  The lower power 1-6 30mm on my Mossberg is great and I use a 3-9 variable 50mm on the Browning.  I like the standard crosshair with the illuminated reticle, but I think the illuminated chevron on the post might be a good choice for a slugger.  One thing I am sure about with Trijicon is they are essentially fail safe.   I do recommend that you use a extra ring if possible, like a lot of the long range shooter configurations.  I don't think you can really overstate the recoil imparted on your scope from these guns. 

I agree with the comments about Mossberg 635s, they have mixed reviews online.  Seems like people either hate them or love them with very little in between.  A lot of the faults are found with the odd cut of the stock.  My opinion is that is purely esthetic and not really a factor.  I purchased my first slugger back in 1997 or 1998 so there wasn't much written about them at the time.  Browning, Mossberg, and Savage all came out with a fully rifled, bolt actioned slug gun that year.  The Mossberg was my choice because of the composite stock and a really good safety.  The wife treated me to the Browning the next year.  One of the rarest of the rare, a left handed version.  Don't bother shopping for one, you wont find it.  I have since sent the Browning off to Hill Country and they really turned it into a nail driver.   I requested that they not do load development, instead they tested a ton of commercially available slugs for accuracy and speed.  Three brands were their final recommendation, the number 1 Lightfield commander, number 2 the 3in Remington Accutip, more accurate than the Remington but not as commercially available here was the magnum length Savestery (sic). 

I won't get into group size or ranges here since that is just fodder for endless opinions, but suffice it to say that I am confident enough to hit any target I choose to shoot at.

A couple of good rules to go by.  If shooting sabot slugs then use the fully rifled barrel.  If you are shooting Brennekes or other ball slugs a smooth bore is fine.  Go through your slug rifle and locktite all screws and fittings and if possible bed the lug. Tighten things up as much as possible.  Most of these guns to include the Browning do not have great triggers.  Put a little work into smoothing and cleaning up the trigger and you will be amazed at the impact it has on your shooting.  Even the plastic componenets of the mossberg 635 trigger group slicked up nicely with a little polishing and deburring. 

     

One thing I would have added is that a Lightfield Commander is a slug that is specifically designed for deep penetration on larger animals.  e.g. it's terminal ballistic performance is much like the Hastings in the photo above.  That may or not be what you would prefer, depending on your circumstance you may choose to give up a bit of accuracy to gain in having a better chance of not having to track a deer size animal.  Basically, in my experience these harder slugs go right through deer without knocking them down unless you get a shoulder on the way in or out.  The Hybrid Elite on the other hand is a much softer bullet that is constructed differently and will open up on deer and this gives you much better knock down from energy transfer and that can be important in rainy Western Washington where even with whole lotta bleeding going on.... you don't want to have to track a deer far. 

Lightfields and Commanders "zip" deer and then the race is on if it is raining.  Yes they will bleed out with a 3/4 inch hole through the lungs, but in the time that takes they can cover a lot of ground and the ground they cover can be pretty woolley.