Slug guns in 12 ga

[Tjv28]

"If you will never need the shotgun to hunt elk with, a 20 gauge is a good choice."


12 gauge minimum for elk in Washington state. 20 gauge okay for deer though. Just a heads up!

[Brushcrawler]

Well, it has taken a while, but I wanted to follow up on my original post, since everyone offered up such helpful advice and ideas.

I ended up buying an Ithaca Deerslayer III in 12 gauge.  Figured I would spend a bit more for something reliable that would last a while and allow me to chase elk at some point.  Mounted a Nikon 3-9x40 on it and got to the range for the first time today.  The picture below is the very first three Remington 3" Accutips out of the gun at 50 yards. 

I have never shot from a real bench before, so I was pretty impressed that they were all touching.  Adjusted the scope slowly and after four boxes I was pleased to have three shots touching at 100 yards within 1" of dead center.  The recoil didn't seem like a big deal, despite some concerns about the 12 gauge and big slugs.

Probably enough bench shooting for me; now a couple months of real practice and I will be woods-ready for the fall.  I drew a second tag for the unit I am hunting, so am pretty happy all around!

[Bob33]

You'll have to find another excuse than your gun if you miss now.

[JDHasty]

Well, it has taken a while, but I wanted to follow up on my original post, since everyone offered up such helpful advice and ideas.

I ended up buying an Ithaca Deerslayer III in 12 gauge.  Figured I would spend a bit more for something reliable that would last a while and allow me to chase elk at some point.  Mounted a Nikon 3-9x40 on it and got to the range for the first time today.  The picture below is the very first three Remington 3" Accutips out of the gun at 50 yards. 

I have never shot from a real bench before, so I was pretty impressed that they were all touching.  Adjusted the scope slowly and after four boxes I was pleased to have three shots touching at 100 yards within 1" of dead center.  The recoil didn't seem like a big deal, despite some concerns about the 12 gauge and big slugs.

Probably enough bench shooting for me; now a couple months of real practice and I will be woods-ready for the fall.  I drew a second tag for the unit I am hunting, so am pretty happy all around!

You made the best choice. 

The Ithaca's are the genuine article.  Nothing else except the bolt guns will stay with them and precious few of them will.  I have never seen a bolt gun that would out shoot a DS II or DS III.   The DSII are just as accurate in my experience as the DS III, but they are quite light and they will beat you up.

I have posted how to clean slug gun barrels upstream on this thread.  W a DS III you have to clean from the muzzle and if you don't keep the plastic &/or lead out accuracy will go to pot all of a sudden. 

 

[bobcat]

Great shooting!

[h2ofowlr]

Great group.  I ended up going with a Benelli SBEII with a rifled barrel and Leupold grand slam scope.  It has been a good shooter as well.

[fishnfur]

Both of those are great guns.  I couldn't justify spending the money - four kid to college trumps nice gun for me.

[JDHasty]

Both of those are great guns.  I couldn't justify spending the money - four kid to college trumps nice gun for me.

I think I got my favorite Ithaca DS II for $325.  You won't touch a DS III for near that, but a DS II will really shoot too. 

[fishnfur]

That's a great price for a DSII.  Normally they're around $500 or more.  I figured if I was going to spring for a new shotgun, I might as well go rifled bore for better accuracy, which is a real consideration when I shoot.  Hence the savage 220, which is in the same price range but much easier to find in good condition for the same price. 

I think the OP made a great choice.  Can't wait to see how it works out for him.

[Bob33]

That's a great price for a DSII.  Normally they're around $500 or more.  I figured if I was going to spring for a new shotgun, I might as well go rifled bore for better accuracy, which is a real consideration when I shoot.  Hence the savage 220, which is in the same price range but much easier to find in good condition for the same price. 

I think the OP made a great choice.  Can't wait to see how it works out for him.

In 12 gauge, Savage came out with the 212 a few years back. If I were considering the purchase of a dedicated 12 gauge slug shotgun it would be high on my list.

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2012/8/16/savage-212/

[msg]

I have two of the Savage 212's One with the box magazine and one with the detachable clip. Both are scope mounted for hunting modern season in firearm restricted units. Both hunting partners also have them. For the money they are hard to beat. We have killed a bunch of elk with them with a couple out to 200 yards. I personally have not killed one or shot at one over 35 or 40 yards. Devastating results with not much meat loss. I prefer the Ninja Warfare type of hunting over watching clearcuts. My son killed a nice Blacktail at 230 yards, one shot. Nice hole with no meat loss. The slug was hung up in the hide on the way out. That was with a 1oz. Remington Copper Solid. Then upgraded to the 375 grain Cor-Lokt Ultra. More speed and energy. Of course Remington quit making them. Incredible blow through holes with those slugs. Still nowhere near modern rifle bloodshot and meat loss. They do kick like a mule shooting at paper but don't notice it on game. Probably because all of my shots I have been standing. I believe the 300 grain Winchester XPT or XPS I can't remember. They kicked harder then the Remington slugs, I was warned by the salesman in Nampa Idaho about them. Have not used them hunting but I am sure they would work well. I would love to have a Deerslayer 3, They are absolutely beautiful guns

[JDHasty]

I have two of the Savage 212's One with the box magazine and one with the detachable clip. Both are scope mounted for hunting modern season in firearm restricted units. Both hunting partners also have them. For the money they are hard to beat. We have killed a bunch of elk with them with a couple out to 200 yards. I personally have not killed one or shot at one over 35 or 40 yards. Devastating results with not much meat loss. I prefer the Ninja Warfare type of hunting over watching clearcuts. My son killed a nice Blacktail at 230 yards, one shot. Nice hole with no meat loss. The slug was hung up in the hide on the way out. That was with a 1oz. Remington Copper Solid. Then upgraded to the 375 grain Cor-Lokt Ultra. More speed and energy. Of course Remington quit making them. Incredible blow through holes with those slugs. Still nowhere near modern rifle bloodshot and meat loss. They do kick like a mule shooting at paper but don't notice it on game. Probably because all of my shots I have been standing. I believe the 300 grain Winchester XPT or XPS I can't remember. They kicked harder then the Remington slugs, I was warned by the salesman in Nampa Idaho about them. Have not used them hunting but I am sure they would work well. I would love to have a Deerslayer 3, They are absolutely beautiful guns

No meat loss unless you shoot an animal @ point blank range.  I got caught up w/a decent blacktail buck right under my stand late on on the last day of the season and he was going around the tree and had me all twisted into a pretzel so I decided to bust him straight down on top of the hip and break him down w/a 3" Lightfield Hybrid Elite.  There wasn't any bloodshot meat, it was just gone.  Like it evaporated or something. 

[msg]

I did shoot a cow elk at 10 ft. About 8 of them almost ran me over after missing my first shot through some thick stuff at about 40 yards. The rest of them were bedded down, they came boiling down the skidder road I was on. They started veering off at 10 ft. moving way to fast to get a shot. The last one stopped dead in its tracks. The shotgun did not even get close to my shoulder. 2 inch hole going in and about the same coming out. There was some bloodshot on that one but nothing like a 7mm mag or 300 would have been. 375 grain Cor-Loct Ultra. I loved those things, the way those hollow points opened was really impressive. Nearly had to clean my shorts on that one. So much more excitement than what Best OF THE WEST puts out

[konradcountry]

When it comes to shotguns I think the shooter matters more than the brand. The core design just hasn't changed much over the years. What matters is practicing so you feel confident.

I wouldn't buy an Italian shotgun. I used to have a Benelli but I wish I had saved money and bought a Mossberg or 870 instead. The aftermarket parts are cheaper and easier to find for the big brands. A rifled barrel for my Benelli was the same price as a Mossberg 500 with a rifled barrel. An Elk isn't going to be able to tell the difference between the brands. 

I like the Mossbergs for the safety on top design. I also think they are better for using with gloves. I use tru-glo sights and shoot slugs. I like the quick view and no-fog of iron sites. If I wanted to sight out to 200 yards I would use a rifle. 

Don't rule out the semi-auto. The semi-auto action helps absorb the kick a bit. But a 12 is going to kick no matter what.

As for 12/20 I would get a 12 if you are on a budget. It's much easier to find 12 gauge ammo on sale. But starting with a 20 and then getting a 12 later is probably the way to go if you are new to shotguns.

[Dirty Mike]

Just curious, why not a front stuffer? Great accuracy out to 200 yards, legal to put a scope on it if used during modern season