Well, looking for some advice. Being a transplant from SD, I have shot a lot deer over the years, but with my 243 or 270 hi-power. This slug thing is a whole new ball game. What should I know, especially regarding speed and lead.
Thanks!
Been sluggin’ in Minnesota for about 40 years. Started out throwing lead around with a 30″ full choke shotgun. Not a good idea. I am now shooting an 870 with a 28″ barrel and open choke tube with a red dot scope (no magnification). With this I can shoot a 3″ pattern at 50 yards. I set it up to be a little high at 50 yds and it will shoot a 4-5″ pattern at 100 yards with a 4″ drop. Maybe some of the guys with rifled barrels and sabots can do better but this has worked for me. I just use 2 3/4″ Remington Sluggers. Wait for other posts and see what fits your style as this is probably the cheapest option.
ps, The red dot has improved accuracy but is a little tougher on snap shots and in bright sunlight or rain or snow. Like any other scope I guess.
If they are 200 yards away you’ll probably have to get closer, unlike what you are used to.
Been sluggin’ in Minnesota for about 40 years. Started out throwing lead around with a 30″ full choke shotgun. Not a good idea. I am now shooting an 870 with a 28″ barrel and open choke tube with a red dot scope (no magnification). With this I can shoot a 3″ pattern at 50 yards. I set it up to be a little high at 50 yds and it will shoot a 4-5″ pattern at 100 yards with a 4″ drop. Maybe some of the guys with rifled barrels and sabots can do better but this has worked for me. I just use 2 3/4″ Remington Sluggers. Wait for other posts and see what fits your style as this is probably the cheapest option.
ps, The red dot has improved accuracy but is a little tougher on snap shots and in bright sunlight or rain or snow. Like any other scope I guess.
If they are 200 yards away you’ll probably have to get closer, unlike what you are used to.
VERY GOOD ADVICE PUTZ,
SIGHT IN YOUR GUN AT 50 YARDS BECAUSE WIND WON’T AFFECT FLIGHT. I GO 2 INCHES HIGH AT FIFTY YARDS WITH 2 3/4 INCH WINCHESTERS($1.99 A BOX). I USE A LOW POWER SCOPE 2.5X20 TASCO WITH 6 INCH EYE RELEIF (FOG AND SHOCK PROOF $37). MOSSBORG 500 SLUGGER. ACCURATE TO 100 YARDS AND NOT SPENDING A FORTUNE ON AMMO.
VERY GOOD ADVICE PUTZ,
SIGHT IN YOUR GUN AT 50 YARDS BECAUSE WIND WON’T AFFECT FLIGHT. I GO 2 INCHES HIGH AT FIFTY YARDS WITH 2 3/4 INCH WINCHESTERS($1.99 A BOX). I USE A LOW POWER SCOPE 2.5X20 TASCO WITH 6 INCH EYE RELEIF (FOG AND SHOCK PROOF $37). MOSSBORG 500 SLUGGER. ACCURATE TO 100 YARDS AND NOT SPENDING A FORTUNE ON AMMO.
Whether you shoot a smooth bore or riffled barrel, you need to find a slug that shoots well in your gun. Every slug will shoot different. When I first started slug hunting with a 20 gauge smooth bore slug barrel, Fedral and Winchester slugs ($1.99) seemed to shoot the same out of my gun, but when I through a Remmington slug ($1.99) they barely hit the paper. Since then I’ve moved up a little to a 12 gauge and a riffled slug barrel with a red dot scope (no magnifacation) and shooting winchester partion gold slugs ($10.99). They shoot pretty flat out to 100 yards. I wouldn’t be afraid to touch one off at 125-150 if the conditions and proper rest are favorable. I’m not really big into paper punching but I thought I’d throw in what works for me. This year I’m leaving the slug gun at home and carrying my smoke pole during the firearms season.
Good luck!!! I hope we don’t have another warm gun season.
Whether you shoot a smooth bore or riffled barrel, you need to find a slug that shoots well in your gun. Every slug will shoot different. When I first started slug hunting with a 20 gauge smooth bore slug barrel, Fedral and Winchester slugs ($1.99) seemed to shoot the same out of my gun, but when I through a Remmington slug ($1.99) they barely hit the paper. Since then I’ve moved up a little to a 12 gauge and a riffled slug barrel with a red dot scope (no magnifacation) and shooting winchester partion gold slugs ($10.99). They shoot pretty flat out to 100 yards. I wouldn’t be afraid to touch one off at 125-150 if the conditions and proper rest are favorable. I’m not really big into paper punching but I thought I’d throw in what works for me. This year I’m leaving the slug gun at home and carrying my smoke pole during the firearms season.
Good luck!!! I hope we don’t have another warm gun season.
AS of last year, we could start using rifles, but up until that point, it was shotgun only. I got to the point where I had a Hastings rifled barrel on an 870 with a 2-7X scope. The last year I sighted in with that gun, using Federal Barnes Expander sabots, I actually got a tighter group at 100 yards using my shotgun than my 30-06. I had one 3 shot group center to center at just over one inch. Had major confidence in that gun out to just about 150. The biggest ouch was the cost of the shells (10 bucks for 5 shells, wow). Plus, I tried Winchester and Remington too before finding the Federal’s worked the best. Tried the HV Winchester’s too, and they sprayed all ove the place. If you think you will be hunting in the shotgun zone for a long time, or if longer shots are the norm, a rifled barrel may be a worthwhile investment.
If you shoot 50 yards and under, a smoothbore is probably just as good, and a heck of alot cheaper. Any of the rifle sighted short barrels should work fine, although most will shoot one brand of slugs better than another.
AS of last year, we could start using rifles, but up until that point, it was shotgun only. I got to the point where I had a Hastings rifled barrel on an 870 with a 2-7X scope. The last year I sighted in with that gun, using Federal Barnes Expander sabots, I actually got a tighter group at 100 yards using my shotgun than my 30-06. I had one 3 shot group center to center at just over one inch. Had major confidence in that gun out to just about 150. The biggest ouch was the cost of the shells (10 bucks for 5 shells, wow). Plus, I tried Winchester and Remington too before finding the Federal’s worked the best. Tried the HV Winchester’s too, and they sprayed all ove the place. If you think you will be hunting in the shotgun zone for a long time, or if longer shots are the norm, a rifled barrel may be a worthwhile investment.
If you shoot 50 yards and under, a smoothbore is probably just as good, and a heck of alot cheaper. Any of the rifle sighted short barrels should work fine, although most will shoot one brand of slugs better than another.
I bought a slug barrel for my Remington 870 that has a choke tube on it. It was about $100 at the time (about 10 years ago), I’m sure they are a little more now. I used open sights because I hunted in an area where my longest shot would be about 50 yards (didn’t think I needed to spend the money on a scope either) The best advice I can give is that whatever you use for a gun try shooting different slugs to see which shots straightest. My Remington shoots Federals the best.
Good luck 
I bought a slug barrel for my Remington 870 that has a choke tube on it. It was about $100 at the time (about 10 years ago), I’m sure they are a little more now. I used open sights because I hunted in an area where my longest shot would be about 50 yards (didn’t think I needed to spend the money on a scope either) The best advice I can give is that whatever you use for a gun try shooting different slugs to see which shots straightest. My Remington shoots Federals the best.
Good luck
MOSSBOSS: You have the same setup as I do!!!
I grew up using an old Ithaca pump for deer hunting. No scope, just a single brass bead and rifled slugs. I missed lots of deer…..and wounded a few that I’m not so proud of too…..
At a 100 yards, I was happy if I could hit a 5 gallon pail 3 out of 5 shots.
Then I upgraded throughout the years.
Now, I shoot an 870 with a Hastings 24″ cantilever scope mount barrel. I have a Simmons, 4x scope. I shoot 2.75 in Federal Barnes sabots.
I will challenge anyone with a 30-30 at a range up to 200 yards.
Yes, I’ve done a lot of shooting over the years, and also spent some time in the military, where I focused many hours shooting, so I have some practice.
But I will end with this…..
Today’s modern slug gun setups are astonishing. Accuracy is a 2″ group with 5 out of 5 shots at 100 yards. The gun is as accurate as you want, the variance comes from the shooter.
Yes, $2 a pop isn’t cheap for a slug, but what the heck is $40 at the range and in the field, when it comes to play with a buck of a lifetime??????
2 seasons ago, my dad and I (during deer hunting) got permission to hunt a prime area. We went on a Wednesday afternoon to scout out the area, making plans for a weekend attack. As we were leaving, a 10 point (green score of 165 BC) showed up with two does. I dropped him @ 175 yards, square in the boiler maker. I didn’t raise my scope on the deer. My gun is sighted in @ 125 yards, shoots 2″ high at 50 yards, and two inches low at 175 yards. I have a 4 inch drop at 200 yards.
Compare those numbers to a 30-30 and there isn’t a whole lot of difference……
You get what you pay for and I know this…..If I wouldn’t of invested in the time and money for that setup I have, I wouldn’t of gotten that buck.
Since I’ve gone to this combo, I have not only not missed a deer, but I haven’t missed the vitals……….
Go with a good scope and a quality rifled barrel……….you won’t regret it when the times comes that you need it……….In my opinion ( 
) Hastings has the best barrels out there and the Federal Barnes expander slugs are top notch.
Go to Gander Mountain. Grab Federal, Remington, & Winchester ballistics brochures. They have their slugs performance in there to back up my statement.
Good Luck!!!!
(From someone who learned by spending too much money, time, and too many broken hearts learning the hard way!!!!!!!!!)
Gary
MOSSBOSS: You have the same setup as I do!!!
I grew up using an old Ithaca pump for deer hunting. No scope, just a single brass bead and rifled slugs. I missed lots of deer…..and wounded a few that I’m not so proud of too…..
At a 100 yards, I was happy if I could hit a 5 gallon pail 3 out of 5 shots.
Then I upgraded throughout the years.
Now, I shoot an 870 with a Hastings 24″ cantilever scope mount barrel. I have a Simmons, 4x scope. I shoot 2.75 in Federal Barnes sabots.
I will challenge anyone with a 30-30 at a range up to 200 yards.
Yes, I’ve done a lot of shooting over the years, and also spent some time in the military, where I focused many hours shooting, so I have some practice.
But I will end with this…..
Today’s modern slug gun setups are astonishing. Accuracy is a 2″ group with 5 out of 5 shots at 100 yards. The gun is as accurate as you want, the variance comes from the shooter.
Yes, $2 a pop isn’t cheap for a slug, but what the heck is $40 at the range and in the field, when it comes to play with a buck of a lifetime??????
2 seasons ago, my dad and I (during deer hunting) got permission to hunt a prime area. We went on a Wednesday afternoon to scout out the area, making plans for a weekend attack. As we were leaving, a 10 point (green score of 165 BC) showed up with two does. I dropped him @ 175 yards, square in the boiler maker. I didn’t raise my scope on the deer. My gun is sighted in @ 125 yards, shoots 2″ high at 50 yards, and two inches low at 175 yards. I have a 4 inch drop at 200 yards.
Compare those numbers to a 30-30 and there isn’t a whole lot of difference……
You get what you pay for and I know this…..If I wouldn’t of invested in the time and money for that setup I have, I wouldn’t of gotten that buck.
Since I’ve gone to this combo, I have not only not missed a deer, but I haven’t missed the vitals……….
Go with a good scope and a quality rifled barrel……….you won’t regret it when the times comes that you need it……….In my opinion ( ) Hastings has the best barrels out there and the Federal Barnes expander slugs are top notch.
Go to Gander Mountain. Grab Federal, Remington, & Winchester ballistics brochures. They have their slugs performance in there to back up my statement.
Good Luck!!!!
(From someone who learned by spending too much money, time, and too many broken hearts learning the hard way!!!!!!!!!)
Gary
Hey Gary:
Just curious, are you shooting the 1 oz Barnes, or the 3/4 oz that came out a year or two ago? I was shooting the one ounce, never did try the 3/4. They were BY FAR the best, most accurate slug out of my gun.
Hey Gary:
Just curious, are you shooting the 1 oz Barnes, or the 3/4 oz that came out a year or two ago? I was shooting the one ounce, never did try the 3/4. They were BY FAR the best, most accurate slug out of my gun.
I would second everything Gary said.
The cost of ammo (even a barrel) needs to be put in perspective. When you consider what you spend on the rest of the hunt and that you anticipate that week or 2 all year, $2 for an accurate bullet you have confidence in is insignificant.
I would second everything Gary said.
The cost of ammo (even a barrel) needs to be put in perspective. When you consider what you spend on the rest of the hunt and that you anticipate that week or 2 all year, $2 for an accurate bullet you have confidence in is insignificant.
I’m shooting the 2 3/4″, 3/4 oz slugs. The 3″ are too wild and really don’t give you anymore distance or power. I haven’t tried the 1oz, as the performance I’m getting with my setup is phenomenal.
As for cost with deer hunting……….I spend easily, $100 a year…….don’t know why, I have everything, but I still drop that much money. So why not spend a few of those dollars on ammo???
Right now, I love my slug gun set up and have the utmost confidence in her. I swear, with witnesses, I haven’t missed a deer yet since I set it up 4 years ago (about 6 deer). Prior to this, I had a 3×9 rifle scope and a rifled choke tube. Did that for 2 years with ok success. Before that, I ran a 28″ barrell with full choke and Brenneke slugs. Still good performance, but those brass beads flat out suck. At least with me they do. My dad (who taught me how to shoot) has a model 12 with a single brass bead he has been shooting since the 50’s. I’ve tried over and over to get him to upgrade, but he can outshoot me with birds about 3 to 1. What makes it worse, is that I’m President at Hampton Sportsman’s Club. But, with that Model 12, he dropped a running deer at 150 yards…….no bs, I watched him do it……….He has a natural talent for shooting that I don’t see in the majority of people. It is all instinctive (and impressive). Mostly, it is fun to bragg about your pop!!! He can hit with the simple stuff, I can’t………But when your a healthy 79 year old who is still able to hold his own in the woods and have been hunting since the 40’s, what do you expect.
Gary
I’m shooting the 2 3/4″, 3/4 oz slugs. The 3″ are too wild and really don’t give you anymore distance or power. I haven’t tried the 1oz, as the performance I’m getting with my setup is phenomenal.
As for cost with deer hunting……….I spend easily, $100 a year…….don’t know why, I have everything, but I still drop that much money. So why not spend a few of those dollars on ammo???
Right now, I love my slug gun set up and have the utmost confidence in her. I swear, with witnesses, I haven’t missed a deer yet since I set it up 4 years ago (about 6 deer). Prior to this, I had a 3×9 rifle scope and a rifled choke tube. Did that for 2 years with ok success. Before that, I ran a 28″ barrell with full choke and Brenneke slugs. Still good performance, but those brass beads flat out suck. At least with me they do. My dad (who taught me how to shoot) has a model 12 with a single brass bead he has been shooting since the 50’s. I’ve tried over and over to get him to upgrade, but he can outshoot me with birds about 3 to 1. What makes it worse, is that I’m President at Hampton Sportsman’s Club. But, with that Model 12, he dropped a running deer at 150 yards…….no bs, I watched him do it……….He has a natural talent for shooting that I don’t see in the majority of people. It is all instinctive (and impressive). Mostly, it is fun to bragg about your pop!!! He can hit with the simple stuff, I can’t………But when your a healthy 79 year old who is still able to hold his own in the woods and have been hunting since the 40’s, what do you expect.
Gary
$100.00 ???? How do you get off so cheap ????
$100.00 ???? How do you get off so cheap ????
Simple…………I only use one slug!!!!!!!!!!
Simple…………I only use one slug!!!!!!!!!!
Great post with some awesome info.The first deer I shot was with a Winchester 1300 and single bead sight.I hit that deer a little high at 50 yards but he stll didn’t go anywhere.I then upgraded to a Remington 870 with a rifled slug barrel and have shot 9 deer since then.I use open rifled sights simply because I’m comfy with that set-up.My 870 with slug barrel shoots so nice and has great patterns.I shoot 2.3/4 sluggers and have always had good luck with them.I shoot alot of my deer close because I’m a stand hunter by myself or a few others.I’m always amazed at these guys who toss 6 shots at a running deer at 150 yards.Never understood that part.Best of luck Hook with your choice.
Ryan Hale
Great post with some awesome info.The first deer I shot was with a Winchester 1300 and single bead sight.I hit that deer a little high at 50 yards but he stll didn’t go anywhere.I then upgraded to a Remington 870 with a rifled slug barrel and have shot 9 deer since then.I use open rifled sights simply because I’m comfy with that set-up.My 870 with slug barrel shoots so nice and has great patterns.I shoot 2.3/4 sluggers and have always had good luck with them.I shoot alot of my deer close because I’m a stand hunter by myself or a few others.I’m always amazed at these guys who toss 6 shots at a running deer at 150 yards.Never understood that part.Best of luck Hook with your choice.
Ryan Hale
Hunting deer with a shotgun is no different than with a rifle. You must only know the limitations of your gun. It is very important to shoot different brands of shells with your guns as every gun shoots differently. One thing to remember is you may not want a scope on your shotgun. I have trouble picking up my target in tight quarters with a scope. I prefer open sights. I have used copper solid shell for the last couple years and they have worked well for me but there are a lot of quality shells on the market.
Good luck.
Gator Hunter
Hunting deer with a shotgun is no different than with a rifle. You must only know the limitations of your gun. It is very important to shoot different brands of shells with your guns as every gun shoots differently. One thing to remember is you may not want a scope on your shotgun. I have trouble picking up my target in tight quarters with a scope. I prefer open sights. I have used copper solid shell for the last couple years and they have worked well for me but there are a lot of quality shells on the market.
Good luck.
Gator Hunter
Hi Hook, I’ve slug hunted alot down here in iowa. My favorite slugs for the price are federals 23/4″. I know that remmington slugs get alot of glamor down here but i think federals slugs are more accurate and cheaper. I used to shoot trap and used to reload federals slug casings to the oz. loads i used to shoot trap with. When loading a remington slug casing i thought they made a trap load too slow. When i used federal slug casings i didn’t have to lead the pidgeon, i use to shoot at the very leading edge of the pidgeon and smoke em! The cup that holds the primer in the bottom of a remington is shaped diffrently than a federal. The cup in the bottom of a federal casing is bowl shaped to get, in my opinion, faster burning of the powder. You may ask why im telling you this, its because i think that a federal casing promotes a faster burn and that the slugs are going to be quicker and more accurate. I load my own field loads in a federal casing because im convinced that these casings build better shells. Another hint on a shot of a deer running fast too your side, aim at the very front edge of the deer, beleive me you don’t have to lead by a length or two to hit one. I do this and eigther break one of its front legs, or i get a close to the heart shot and it rolls them. I get this performance out of federal slugs, thier fast! heres another idea, fill up a few gallon milk jugs with water and set them out at 50 yrds, 75, etc. when they literally expode from the slug hitting them it makes an imprint in my mind when i raise to sight a deer plus it shows me my drop better than paper does. Shoot some paper on a couple of sandbags with atleast 5 or 6 boxes to get used to the rounds and where they shoot, shoot and take your time trying to find the accuracy of a federal round, thier more than accurate enough for the price and shoot consistant groups in a 4″ circle at 50 yrds. Gary, the model 12 is one heck of a gun and it would be hard to damage that gun no matter what kind or how heavy a round you built to shoot out of it. They’ll take a hammering! I shoot an old belgium browning semi auto made in 1928, with a 28″ modified barrel it shoots very good groups and i can get 5 rounds off befor the first casing hits the ground, enough for the deer down here.
Hi Hook, I’ve slug hunted alot down here in iowa. My favorite slugs for the price are federals 23/4″. I know that remmington slugs get alot of glamor down here but i think federals slugs are more accurate and cheaper. I used to shoot trap and used to reload federals slug casings to the oz. loads i used to shoot trap with. When loading a remington slug casing i thought they made a trap load too slow. When i used federal slug casings i didn’t have to lead the pidgeon, i use to shoot at the very leading edge of the pidgeon and smoke em! The cup that holds the primer in the bottom of a remington is shaped diffrently than a federal. The cup in the bottom of a federal casing is bowl shaped to get, in my opinion, faster burning of the powder. You may ask why im telling you this, its because i think that a federal casing promotes a faster burn and that the slugs are going to be quicker and more accurate. I load my own field loads in a federal casing because im convinced that these casings build better shells. Another hint on a shot of a deer running fast too your side, aim at the very front edge of the deer, beleive me you don’t have to lead by a length or two to hit one. I do this and eigther break one of its front legs, or i get a close to the heart shot and it rolls them. I get this performance out of federal slugs, thier fast! heres another idea, fill up a few gallon milk jugs with water and set them out at 50 yrds, 75, etc. when they literally expode from the slug hitting them it makes an imprint in my mind when i raise to sight a deer plus it shows me my drop better than paper does. Shoot some paper on a couple of sandbags with atleast 5 or 6 boxes to get used to the rounds and where they shoot, shoot and take your time trying to find the accuracy of a federal round, thier more than accurate enough for the price and shoot consistant groups in a 4″ circle at 50 yrds. Gary, the model 12 is one heck of a gun and it would be hard to damage that gun no matter what kind or how heavy a round you built to shoot out of it. They’ll take a hammering! I shoot an old belgium browning semi auto made in 1928, with a 28″ modified barrel it shoots very good groups and i can get 5 rounds off befor the first casing hits the ground, enough for the deer down here.
Hey MossyDan;
I hear you about them old Brownings. I have an old A-5. That old style spring operated gun has yet to fail me, even in the coldest weather. To this day, I still use it more often than my other guns for birds. It is heavy, but very reliable and comfortable to shoot.
You are all correct about finding the best round for you slug gun. It takes a lot of time at the range to find what works best. Once you find it……..your confidence is at its peak!
Good luck to all out there for the deer season!!!
Gary
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
