Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 27, 2015, 02:25:10 PM
This year I am elk hunting in a different way; going to be in an area that is limited to bow, muzzle or shotgun. I already have a trustworthy Remington 870 express. I have never hunted with slugs, so I am out of my element. Would I be looking for a fully rifled barrel replacement? Currently I am shooting 12 gauge 2 3/4 loads (target,bird shot). I have heard of sabot and standard slugs... which one would you recommend? or is that dependent on the type of barrel I would purchase? My end goal is to find a replacement barrel and the correct slugs so that I may have the option to reach out to 100 yards or even a tad further. I understand the shooting complex of shotguns vs. high powered rifles, however, I don't want to mis-match a barrel to the wrong ammo. I am expecting close range with the elk we are hunting, but I want to be sure I have something that can reach them if they take off or get spooked and keep a distance! thanks for you input!!!
Post by: Special T on October 27, 2015, 02:43:15 PM
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Post by: Bob33 on October 27, 2015, 02:46:21 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 27, 2015, 02:59:35 PM
Thanks Bob33, I appreciate the advice as well. Good to hear you have killed elk with a 12 gauge. What do you think a new replacement rifled barrel will run me, $200-$250? So with purchasing a rifled barrel, do I need slugs or sabots? and what grain would you recommend for elk?
Post by: MountainWalk on October 27, 2015, 03:05:00 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 27, 2015, 03:05:05 PM
Post by: 12Gauge on October 27, 2015, 03:06:41 PM
Buckshot for head shots.
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This is a horrible advise because it is illegal.
Special T you may have missed it, OP says he is hunting elk, regulations calls for slugs only for elk.
Buckshot is ok for deer.
Smooth bore use rifled slugs; rifle barrel use sabot.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 27, 2015, 03:08:00 PM
Buckshot for head shots.if your barrel has a removable choke dont use slugs. There may be some slugs that are ok but as a general rule they arnt. You could get a rifled barrel if you cant find a slug to work in your current barrel.Is buckshot okay on elk? Thought it had to be 10 or12 gauge slugs
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Post by: Bob33 on October 27, 2015, 03:08:32 PM
Thanks SpecialT, I appreciate the advice. I have found slugs that will work for my current barrel. I think I do want to try and find a rifled barrel, for better accuracy.Yes, in that price range. If you can get within 50 yards or so, a smoothbore barrel with no choke might work fine but a rifled barrel will be better in most instances. I shoot sabots in mine. I killed one elk with a 400 grain Winchester Platinum tip, and two with Remington Core Lokt Ultras that are 385 grains.
Thanks Bob33, I appreciate the advice as well. Good to hear you have killed elk with a 12 gauge. What do you think a new replacement rifled barrel will run me, $200-$250? So with purchasing a rifled barrel, do I need slugs or sabots? and what grain would you recommend for elk?
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/shotshells/slugs/premier-core-lokt-ultra-bonded-sabot-slugs.aspx
Post by: steeleywhopper on October 27, 2015, 03:08:55 PM
Post by: Special T on October 27, 2015, 03:13:13 PM
Show me. Is this a new developement?Buckshot for head shots.
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This is a horrible advise because it is illegal.
Special T you may have missed it, OP says he is hunting elk, regulations calls for slugs only for elk.
Buckshot is ok for deer.
Smooth bore use rifled slugs; rifle barrel use sabot.
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Post by: Bob33 on October 27, 2015, 03:17:25 PM
In fact, some rifled barrels are slightly overbore and don't impart enough spin either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug
Saboted slugs are lead-cored, full copper-jacketed or solid copper projectiles supported by a plastic sabot, which is designed to engage the rifling in a rifled shotgun barrel and impart a ballistic spin onto the projectile. This differentiates them from traditional slugs, which are not designed to benefit from a rifled barrel (though neither does the other any damage). They can take the usual variety of shapes, but for maximum accuracy are typically bullet-shaped (ogive). The slugs are generally significantly smaller than the bore diameter, increasing the ballistic coefficient, and use the sabot to seal the bore and keep the slug centered in the bore while it rotates with the rifling. Saboted slugs, when fired out of a rifled barrel, are generally far more accurate than non-jacketed slugs out of a smoothbore, with accuracy to 300 metres (330 yd) approaching that of low-velocity rifle calibers.
Post by: 12Gauge on October 27, 2015, 03:24:45 PM
Show me. Is this a new developement?Buckshot for head shots.
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This is a horrible advise because it is illegal.
Special T you may have missed it, OP says he is hunting elk, regulations calls for slugs only for elk.
Buckshot is ok for deer.
Smooth bore use rifled slugs; rifle barrel use sabot.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk
Page 85 of the hunting regulations, under shotguns.
Not sure if it is new development, but it's the same rule as last year.
Post by: Special T on October 27, 2015, 03:29:35 PM
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Post by: WAcoyotehunter on October 27, 2015, 03:35:49 PM
Sabots are ok through rifled barrels, in a smooth bore barrel use rifled slugs. Thousands of deer hunters use them every year in the Midwest with good results.
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 27, 2015, 04:01:32 PM
thanks guys! this site rocks for help and advice! If any of you ever are down in Westport the same time I go, next season for fall coho or kings. I would be happy to point out some killer holes!!
Post by: mikeybuck on October 27, 2015, 04:15:21 PM
Lightfield full bore size slugs. Seems like most shotty slugs are pretty soft. Why shoot 50cal when you can launch 72cal slugs?
Yes they work good to. I've killed one elk with a 12ga.
If you need some light fields I have A few boxes I'll make you a good deal on.
Post by: Bob33 on October 27, 2015, 04:23:19 PM
I have a tikka t3 ultralight, .300 win mag, am I going to feel the same kick out of a rifled barrel shotgun as I do with my tikka?I'm reluctant to tell you this, but it will be worse. 300 to 400 grains of projectile creates wicked recoil. Use some good padding and limit your shots at the range or you're likely to develop a flinch. Keep a firm grip on the gun when firing, and don't forget to have fun. You won't need a spotting scope to see the holes! :tup:
Post by: superdown on October 27, 2015, 04:28:48 PM
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/452401/mossberg-slug-barrel-remington-870-special-purpose-12-gauge-3-24-rifled-with-rifle-sights-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/452401/mossberg-slug-barrel-remington-870-special-purpose-12-gauge-3-24-rifled-with-rifle-sights-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding)
Post by: Chukarhead on October 27, 2015, 07:09:53 PM
I have a tikka t3 ultralight, .300 win mag, am I going to feel the same kick out of a rifled barrel shotgun as I do with my tikka?I'm reluctant to tell you this, but it will be worse. 300 to 400 grains of projectile creates wicked recoil. Use some good padding and limit your shots at the range or you're likely to develop a flinch. Keep a firm grip on the gun when firing, and don't forget to have fun. You won't need a spotting scope to see the holes! :tup:
It'll be a bumpy ride, but my experience is that shotgun slugs aren't horrid, either. Sure, huge projectile, but they're being launched at a much, much lower velocity. Shotguns also tend to heavier than ultralight mountain rifles, which dulls the thud. Granted, most of the slugs I've shot are from my heavy, soft-shooting Beretta gas gun, but still... My light Ruger .30-06 is kicks noticeably harder than my shotgun with slugs or turkey loads.
Regardless of legality or quarry (as previously discussed), please avoid buckshot. Using a load that's only suitable for close-range head shots is not an ethical hunting strategy. 00 Buck is a great home defense load, not much else.
Post by: pd on October 27, 2015, 07:17:17 PM
saboted slugs in a rifled barrel and rifled slugs in smooth barrel. I would drop the coin for a rifled barrel with a cantilever scope mount. Got one on my 870 and it flat gets it done. Have taken deer out to 167 yards with Hornady sst slugs. I run a 2x7 power scope on mine.
I disagree with a lot of the posts here. I would not purchase a rifled barrel.
I have often hunted deer (firearms restricted zone) with a 12-gauge and slugs. Never use "rifled slugs" in a "rifled barrel"!!! Steelywhopper is correct.
Go to WalMart, buy a 5 round box of Remington 12-gauge rifled slugs. About $5. Take a shot or two in the woods, at 50-yards to find the drop (it is written on the side of the box).
I don't know how far you can shoot in your area, but anything less than 50-yards is more than lethal with a slug. Easy peazy. Use the gun that you have.
Post by: lokidog on October 27, 2015, 07:29:54 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 28, 2015, 07:18:28 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 28, 2015, 07:23:27 AM
Cheap slugs are just that though, pretty dang cheap. Just kind of makes your gun into a cannon. Accuracy would be the concern, but if you test it and can make it work, then power to you.
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on October 28, 2015, 07:50:20 AM
Show me. Is this a new developement?Buckshot for head shots.
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This is a horrible advise because it is illegal.
Special T you may have missed it, OP says he is hunting elk, regulations calls for slugs only for elk.
Buckshot is ok for deer.
Smooth bore use rifled slugs; rifle barrel use sabot.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk
It is not even close to being new, it is spelled out in the 2001 regs, which are the oldest ones I could find in the on-line in the archives link below.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/search.php?Cat=Regulations%20and%20Rules
Post by: Special T on October 28, 2015, 09:29:51 AM
Proving again what a valuable resource HW is!
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Post by: cjjcb on October 28, 2015, 02:26:14 PM
I can't imagine it would be any different for elk...
Neat thing is, I swap out barrels and go for spring turkey with the same weapon.
Good Luck!
Post by: wt on October 30, 2015, 10:30:42 PM