Slug recommendations for my 870 12 gauge

[Heartsblood]

Is it even practical to think I can cary a few slugs in my vest when I grouse hunt, just in case I come across deer or bear? The other part of this I think about is how stealthily can I unload a 7/12 shot and slide a slug/sabot(?) in the chamber? I have a remington 870 express (smooth bore only) and have thought about this question quite alot. So I put it to y'all. Is this scenario even worth pondering? If so, what should I be thinking about as far as types of ammo, technique, etc.

Thoughts?

[Heartsblood]

Oh yeah I almost forgot - I use your general screw in chokes (mod/full). Will those render my question moot? In otherwords, can you even fire a slug thru a barrel with those kindsa chokes?

[bobcat]

You're going to be grouse hunting during modern firearm deer season? If so I would carry your deer rifle, and maybe a 22 caliber handgun if you really want to shoot grouse while deer hunting. Or, if using the shotgun, hunt with it loaded with slugs for deer, and if you see a grouse you want to shoot, try to quietly and quickly unload the slug and slip in a 7 1/2. I don't know, just for me deer takes priority over grouse. You can hunt grouse up to December 31 while deer is a much shorter season.
 
But for a chance encounter with a bear, I think it's a good idea to keep some slugs handy while grouse hunting. Chances are a bear will be gone by the time you get your loads switched, but you never know, it might work out especially if you first spot the bear at a distance. For the type of slug I would just get the lowest prices slugs you can find, since you're not going to have a whole lot of accuracey anyway with just a one bead sight, and no rifling. The choke tubes are fine with slugs but you'd be best off with an improved cylinder choke. If you don't have that one, use modified. And be sure to verify the point of impact with the slugs. You'll want to limit your shots to about 70 yards or so.

[elksnout]

I've never killed a deer deader than a 3 pt blacktail I took with a slug out of my 870. ( is deader a word? )    Smooth barrel, Remington sluggers, and standard shotgun sights. I did practice beforehand and knew my limitations. Slugs = dead deer.

[jyerxa]

I'm along the lines of Bobcat. I'd have my rifle and 22 pistol during the deer hunt.

[Heartsblood]

Thanks for this bobcat. You answered every single question I had. Very helpful.

You're going to be grouse hunting during modern firearm deer season? If so I would carry your deer rifle, and maybe a 22 caliber handgun if you really want to shoot grouse while deer hunting. Or, if using the shotgun, hunt with it loaded with slugs for deer, and if you see a grouse you want to shoot, try to quietly and quickly unload the slug and slip in a 7 1/2. I don't know, just for me deer takes priority over grouse. You can hunt grouse up to December 31 while deer is a much shorter season.
 
But for a chance encounter with a bear, I think it's a good idea to keep some slugs handy while grouse hunting. Chances are a bear will be gone by the time you get your loads switched, but you never know, it might work out especially if you first spot the bear at a distance. For the type of slug I would just get the lowest prices slugs you can find, since you're not going to have a whole lot of accuracey anyway with just a one bead sight, and no rifling. The choke tubes are fine with slugs but you'd be best off with an improved cylinder choke. If you don't have that one, use modified. And be sure to verify the point of impact with the slugs. You'll want to limit your shots to about 70 yards or so.

Thanks everyone for  the insights and experience. I feel better informed now to make a decent decision.
I appreciate it. 

[satchel3006]

Try federal truball there designed for smoothbores.