Post by: Ridgerunner on October 19, 2010, 08:07:45 AM
Post by: CP on October 19, 2010, 08:10:00 AM
Post by: cornfeed on October 19, 2010, 08:13:12 AM
Post by: hunterbuilder on October 19, 2010, 08:17:08 AM
Post by: PolarBear on October 19, 2010, 08:19:39 AM
Post by: Armadillo on October 19, 2010, 08:19:51 AM
Post by: CP on October 19, 2010, 08:22:38 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 19, 2010, 08:33:21 AM
Post by: JNB on October 19, 2010, 08:34:45 AM
Slugs seem to make sense though. I would be interested to hear what somebody who knows more about it thinks about rifled vs non-rifled barrels.
Post by: bobcat on October 19, 2010, 08:45:54 AM
Post by: CP on October 19, 2010, 08:47:49 AM
Can someone give me a quick tutorial on using slugs out of an 870? That is what I am thinking about doing. Is there anything special you need to do, I'm clueless but am thinking about hunting some firearm restriction areas and this seems like a good way to go potentially.
I’d put an IC choke in it, buy a box each of Winchester, Remington & Federal slugs, regular foster type, no sabots. Go to a 50 yard range and see which one shoots best in your gun. That’s all there is to it. Just keep in mind that the big, relatively slow hunk of lead drops quickly after about 75 yards. Limit your shots to a range that you are comfortable with.
If you want to get into rifled barrels, sabots, scopes etc you can extend that range considerably.
Post by: Bob33 on October 19, 2010, 09:00:37 AM
Post by: hoyt5199 on October 19, 2010, 11:19:51 AM
Post by: pods8 on October 19, 2010, 11:59:25 AM
Rifled can push it out there. I've got a 12ga H&R ultra slug that I play around with (heavy 24" barrel single shot gun) with a 3x7 scope that patterns certain saboted slugs at 3-4" @ 100yds. The cheap "rifled" slug hold 4-6" @ 100yds but the lead fouling is a PITA to deal with. [Edit I should note those were conservative sized groups based on limited factory ammo that I've actually fired. I know folks with the same gun finding ammo that matched it well dialing the groups in even tighter. I've done most of my shooting with handloads though.] I've also been playing around with full bore hard cast lead slugs but I'm still dialing in a good loading that groups consistently, so nothing to report there yet. I have not hunted with this gun yet, just another part of the arsenal to play around with and have ready if I do hit a shotgun zone.
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on October 19, 2010, 01:29:27 PM
Post by: bobcat on October 19, 2010, 01:49:23 PM
Are 2 3/4" slugs worth a try for deer? :dunno:
I hope so- that's what I'm using for elk. Balistically they're pretty similar to many muzzleloader loads.
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on October 19, 2010, 02:02:34 PM
Post by: bobcat on October 19, 2010, 02:11:33 PM
Post by: pods8 on October 19, 2010, 02:20:43 PM
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on October 19, 2010, 02:44:01 PM
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on October 19, 2010, 02:47:54 PM
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 19, 2010, 02:48:50 PM
Post by: MuleySniper on October 19, 2010, 02:56:49 PM
MS
Post by: pods8 on October 19, 2010, 06:40:37 PM
One last dumb question and I'll quit hijacking Brian's thread :chuckle:, a standard factory barrel work's fine for slugs?
Standard factory barrel in what? :dunno:
I'm going to assume you're talking about a normal smooth bore shotgun based on the question for starters. Is it a fixed choke or changeable? Either way what is it or currently installed? Something like a full choke would be BAD, IC which is common works fine. Improved modified should likely be fine too even though its tighter.
From there "works fine" just means its save to shoot the cheap lead "rifled slugs". Performance you'll have to see as each gun/ammo combo can be finicky but 50-70yds will likely be your max as mentioned. Depends if that fits "works fine" in your mind.
Post by: Forrestrover on October 19, 2010, 06:52:24 PM
Plain ole Foster slugs fired from a standard bird gun, mod choke or looser, bead site, accurate enough to take deer at 75 yards or less. Punches a big hole in them, massive internal damage, little meat damage when compared to high velocity rifle damage.:yeah:
I certainly found this to be true last year. Got a blacktail with my 870, used an I/C choke, 2 3/4 Winchester slug, smoothbore, and just my bead sights.
I hit him within 15 yards. He dropped in his tracks, of course.
I usually hunt the muzzleloader season, so it was natural for me to be hunting with the close-range limitations in mind.
Post by: ribka on October 19, 2010, 07:02:03 PM
No rifling stick with a IC choke and no sabot slugs. Effective range about 50-70 yds. Buy a rifled barrel and can shoot to 125 yds. Some guys really like the 20 gauge with rifled barrel.
Buy different brans of slugs. They come in 5 round boxes and try to see what shoots best from your shotgun.
Post by: elksnout on October 19, 2010, 07:16:27 PM
Post by: PolarBear on October 20, 2010, 12:35:26 AM
I've never killed a deer "deader" than with a slug out the end of my 870. There's no trackin.:yeah:
I belly crawled up to a 3 point blacktail, hit him with a slug at 15-20 feet from the old side by side and it was if he had died before he hit the ground. He literally dropped in his tracks and never moved.
Post by: flashover52 on October 20, 2010, 01:45:04 AM
I used to use a 20 gauge Ithaca Featherlight with 2 3/4" shells. We would routinely alternate the shells with slug/buckshot/slug/buckshot so you could eject the slug and use the buckshot if they were real close in the pine trees.
I know many older folks who have taken many deer with a .410 without any problems -- that is provided you can hit your target.
Post by: pods8 on October 20, 2010, 08:32:29 AM
We would routinely alternate the shells with slug/buckshot/slug/buckshot so you could eject the slug and use the buckshot if they were real close in the pine trees.
This statement sorta scares me. Close in the pines a slug would tear right through, the only thing I could see about buckshot is a more open spread if you didn't quite know where to be aiming... at that is the part that worries me. Am I over looking something here?