Slug gun hunters: few questions

[carpsniperg2]

Ok I am thinking about picking up a slug gun, why? I don't have one and there is a few hunts I think I could have fun using one.

So with optics what is a guy looking at for a good range. 150-200 yards pretty doable? Deer sized game.
I know the numbers are fine but want some real life feedback.

I am looking at Winchester xp3 and bonded slugs. The Remington slugs and federal trophy slugs.
Anyone put any of these into critters?

thanks for any feedback.

[Magnum_Willys]

We Used the mossberg 12 gage atf rifled barrel guns in Iowa with Xp3 slugs.  Slugs were good to 200 yards.  Son took a nice buck offhand at 185.   Rifled barrel Shotguns are very picky with their ammo.  The Xp3's shot well the others were all over the place.  Just need to try different ammo. 

200 is very doable. 

[JimmyHoffa]

300 is the new 200.  With a rifled barrel and using the Hornady sabot SST slugs, 200 is well within range.

[RB]

300 is the new 200.  With a rifled barrel and using the Hornady sabot SST slugs, 200 is well within range.

 

I put a rifled barrel on my Mossberg 500 and it shot like a rifle with the above mentioned loads really good accuracy from an inexpensive setup 

[northwesthunter84]

I'm running my Winchester sx2 with a rifled barrel and a Vortex Diamondback 1.75x5 and using Hornady SST FTx 300 gr. Sighted in really well. Gonna put it to work for my Illinois gun hunt.

Not a fan of the federal slugs although the vital shocks grouped fine, the Remington Accutips shot ok, Winchester partion golds have a strong following and shot well out of my gun.

[carpsniperg2]

Thx guy and keep it coming.

The partions are on the list to just forgot to post  them. I have killed many animals with partitions already so figured they  would be good to go if the gun likes them.

Now what about 20g. I am of course thinking 12 but there is some decent 20g rifles out there less expensive and the same ammo just a little lighter bullets.

[JimmyHoffa]

A 20 ga setup limits you t just deer.  If you wanted elk, you'd have to get a second gun.
But 20 ga slugs work great on deer.  Just to show that a 20 is plenty, .410 slugs work pretty good too--.410 slugs were real popular for bang sticks for fish.  So, if they will blow through really big fish then a 20 will do it a little better.

[lokidog]

Most of our slug deer have been brought down by a 20g, current slug gun is a Mossberg 500.

[Bob33]

Go 20 gauge for deer unless you anticipate wanting to use the gun for elk also.

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah got thinking about it and it may find a way into a short range elk hunt at some point to in Idaho or westside jungle some time.

I ordered a browning a bolt 12ga, They have a killer deal close out on them with one of my wholesalers.

I ordered a box of 300g hornady and xp3, then a box of the partition and dual bonded Winchesters that are 375-385.

[lokidog]

I don't understand the restriction of no 20g for elk, they are certainly as powerful as any 50 caliber muzzleloader, aren't they?   

[Bob33]

Yeah got thinking about it and it may find a way into a short range elk hunt at some point to in Idaho or westside jungle some time.

I ordered a browning a bolt 12ga, They have a killer deal close out on them with one of my wholesalers.

I ordered a box of 300g hornady and xp3, then a box of the partition and dual bonded Winchesters that are 375-385.

A more likely scenario is hunting elk in a firearm restriction area. That's been the primary use of my 12 gauge slug gun for elk.

[carpsniperg2]

That could happen for sure. I see a Idaho short range hunt I might hit the end of the month. If I can kill a elk here in the muzzle season.

I'm excited to get it up and running. Might even try to get my brother to thump a deer with it in mod. Going to be a good close range thumper I think

[JL]

Loki, speaking on behalf of my brother, who's a far more accomplished hunter than I (and from a "field/harvest" perspective)... the .50 cal muzzleloader is unquestionably more lethal on game than a rifled 12. Not even a debate. That's comparing the Remington magnum sabots he shoots against a weak Eastern magnum pellet load w/ a 250 grain too.

I like the Brenneke's or Rem's out of my slug gun.

[northwesthunter84]

Thumper for sure, I hit a quartering away whitetail in '03 that three shots in roughly the same spot because he kept getting up. Put a hedge apple through the entry hole and exits were slightly different angle but silver dollars coming out the off side. Bonus was little ruined meat and only had half a field dressing job to worry about. Wish I could find those picks.