12 gauge slug gun question

Im setting up a slug gun for the Iowa gun deer season that is fast approaching but need some help. I have an 870 pump that I won at a PF banquet sitting in the cabinet that I want to use. I have been looking for rifled slug barrels but they are pretty expensive. Can I get good groups by using the smooth bore, scope, and rifled slugs? I dont need a 200 yard gun, I have a muzzleloader for that, but I would like to be pretty accurate out to 100.

Maybe I should just sell the 870 and buy a dedicated rifled slug gun.

If your smoke pole is good that far out why not just use that in gun season? Otherwise you should expect to hit a deer at 100 yds with rifled (foster) slugs with practice and good sights. I use a bead barrel 870 and 50 yds is about all I would expect. And it is not very accurate to there. I have dropped 2 bucks with that rig and hit neither where I aimed. Lucky.

Muzz X2.Basically why not shoot a single shot rifle? All I use.

I use a 870 with a smooth bore that I made a peep sight for.
it shoots great. two in high at 50 yds. holes touch.
good luck.

I would like the capability of quick follow up shots.

I’m just looking for info if accuracy is possible with a smooth bore/scope combo. I don’t want to put in the time and money if it isn’t possible

In my opinion a scope mounted to a shotgun receiver will not hold zero well enough to be worth doing. Shotgun barrels fit pretty sloppy into the receiver. If you want a scope get a cantilever slug barrel. I would use the muzzle loader for now because one accurate shot is better than having back up shots that aren’t as accurate. If your going to try the shot barrel to see how it shoots put a cylinder choke in it and get a few different foster style slugs and see what kind of groups you can get with it. Some barrels shoot them ok and some are just horrible.

I have to second the cantilever idea. I know it’s more money but you have nothing into the gun so look at it as a BOGO. You bought a slug barrel/scope and got the gun for free.

A few years ago my dad bought an 870 Wingmaster. He tried upgrading to just a rifled barrel and open sites but found his shots to still be too inconsistent for his liking. His smooth barrel didn’t shoot worth a hoot either. So, after a little debate, I put it upon myself to fix his situation and I bought him a cantilever rifled barrel/scope combo and now the gun shoots nice groups. If you’re going to be truly happy and confident in your set up, just find a way to afford/be at peace with the purchase and be done with it. In the end, you’ll be glad that you did.

This is great guys, thanks for the advice. Im going to bite the bullet and get a cantilever rifled barrel. With my luck I would miss a monster buck because I tried to save a few hundo.

Have you ever considered an actual slug gun built specifically for that purpose.

I shoot a 20ga Ithica deer slayer . Barrel is threaded into the receiver . I have my receiver drilled an tapped for a scope . I use a Nikkon slug hunter an shoot 3 inch Winchester Partitions gold slugs . Deadly accurate at 150 yards.

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I shoot a 20ga Ithica deer slayer . Barrel is threaded into the receiver . I have my receiver drilled an tapped for a scope . I use a Nikkon slug hunter an shoot 3 inch Winchester Partitions gold slugs . Deadly accurate at 150 yards.

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I have the same thing Tony!…… I think! I use mine as a swamp walker so I just have a red dot mounted on mine and zeroed at 50yds with 2 3/4″ Winchester Partitions. This set up has been very good to me so I have a hard time believing I’d be happier with anything else. Love this gun!!!

This is going to be my next slug gun!

Savage Model 220F 20 Gauge

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This is going to be my next slug gun!

Savage Model 220F 20 Gauge

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Sounds pretty impressive Steve! I think this guy’s a little exaggerated about older slug guns and their respective performance/design. On one hand, I know what he’s saying and it’s hard to argue against it. However, stating that rifled barrels didn’t do much……. I beg to differ.

Reading his target test results made me laugh because the results he’s bragging about from the Savage 220F have been either duplicated or bettered from my Ithaca. 1 1/2″ groups at 50yds? Let me go shoot a few rounds @50yds and take a picture of the target for you.

The guy does a great job selling this gun and I like what he had to say on many points. I do think it’s going to be a GREAT choice for those who still have to slug hunt and I think most will be very happy with it.