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Uncle Fester
Posts: 1,644 Senior Member
Hunting Slugs Question - smoothbores?
Uncle Fester
Posts: 1,644 Senior Member
As I am planning my conversion to Yankee deer hunting, I have discovered that there are some tracts of land that may be available to me that are "Shotgun only."
Although I have a Browning (New Model) A5 for birds, (a) I don't think they make a slug barrel for it and (b) I have never tried to fire a slug out of it.
Looking at slug shotguns available in my area, I have never seen a used one for sale.
- On the new side, there are new Remington 870 Express slug setups available. Simply put, I won't be buying any recent vintage Remington/Marlin guns until they get their QC up to acceptable standards.
- There are some decent deals on Mossberg "Combo" setups. But, I can't find any slug only setups local. If possible, I'd like to get a slug only setup.
- This setup will be in the nature of a "Plan B" setup until I decide if those tracts are worth hunting. I want to keep costs down.
Questions/Ideas:
(1) The "extra" land is heavily wooded. Assuming a shot under 50 yards, would a rifled barrel matter "that much?" If I went with the A5 smoothbore setup for a year, what kind
(2) what about something like this: http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/shotguns/ultraslug.asp
(3) used Rem/Mossberg off of someplace like Gunbroker?
Thanks in advance. I have never been a shotgun guy (and probably never will be).
Although I have a Browning (New Model) A5 for birds, (a) I don't think they make a slug barrel for it and (b) I have never tried to fire a slug out of it.
Looking at slug shotguns available in my area, I have never seen a used one for sale.
- On the new side, there are new Remington 870 Express slug setups available. Simply put, I won't be buying any recent vintage Remington/Marlin guns until they get their QC up to acceptable standards.
- There are some decent deals on Mossberg "Combo" setups. But, I can't find any slug only setups local. If possible, I'd like to get a slug only setup.
- This setup will be in the nature of a "Plan B" setup until I decide if those tracts are worth hunting. I want to keep costs down.
Questions/Ideas:
(1) The "extra" land is heavily wooded. Assuming a shot under 50 yards, would a rifled barrel matter "that much?" If I went with the A5 smoothbore setup for a year, what kind
(2) what about something like this: http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/shotguns/ultraslug.asp
(3) used Rem/Mossberg off of someplace like Gunbroker?
Thanks in advance. I have never been a shotgun guy (and probably never will be).
Replies
Buy some slugs and give that ol' humpback a whirl. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.
My 58 full choke Remington was dead on at 50 yds with foster slugs.
Do you have screw in chokes, there are screw in rifled choke tubes.
BTW I was not shooting from a rest, just standing with a good heavy leather sling, and not taking great aim either, just casual shooting and had no problem putting all shots within a fist sized group, puny fist BTW !
The Peoples Republic of CT.
Although I have a line on private land to hunt, centerfire rifle hunting is severely limited throughout the state.
Given the size of the state, that is probably a good idea.
Practice with the ammo you will use and sight it in, never used a scope with slugs since the Rifle sights worked so well for me.
Thanks. Until I get a better hang on the rules around here (written and unwritten), I figure the A5 was a good way to start.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Factory-Remington-870-20-Gauge-Fully-Rifled-Deer-Slug-Barrel-Scope-7595-/231793641368?hash=item35f7fa4798
No point in buying a brand new one- - - -it's hard to wear out a pump gun!
Jerry
Here's a link to a rifled barrel for the A5:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/461857/hastings-paradox-slug-barrel-browning-a-5-12-gauge-2-3-4-24-rifled-with-rifle-sights-blue
You could get a Mossberg 500 with a slug barrel for that price, though. Have a LGS order one for you if they don't stock it.
― Douglas Adams
No, it's just YAM DANKEE disease ....
Somewhat contagious, it only affects simpleminded YAM DANKEES as they have little natural immunity to YAM DANKEE disease and a genetic predisposition to such diseases........ lol
:jester:
To go on the cheap and it will probably get you pretty solid out to 50 yards, use your regular shotgun with Foster slugs and get some Williams Fire Sights to clip on the rib.
DPRMD
Test, test test. Buy at least 3 or 4 options and test them from the bench on a stable base just as you would a target rifle. When you find the one that works best, go back to the store and buy as much as you will need for several seasons.
Tried many others but these two were the best consistent performers for me.
Sako
What you said Jayhawker, I have a Browning A-5 and mine likes Remington foster slugs. I can keep them on a pie plate to 60-75 yds. or so. Under 50 yds. I get 2" groups. That A-5 may surprise you Fester. The key is finding which Foster slugs your gun likes, just like figuring out a .22....except for all the brutal recoil.
http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/ultraSlug.asp
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
I'd keep your shiny Browning safe, get a used 870, smoothbore slug barrel, with rifle sights.
The rifle sights make all the difference.
They're everywhere here, every used rack in every gun shop is full of them.
Especially since most law enforcement agencies have upgraded to ARs, all their old shotguns have slug barrels. Gunbroker, or a LGS that ships.
I have no idea what the ballistics compare to, in a rifle, but I'm fairly sure a good hit on a deer or hog would put it down, quickly, and that the accuracy would be adequate, inside 100 yards, or maybe even a little more.
The same shotguns were usually good at 100 yards with a brenneke style slug, pie plate accuracy.
we call pie plate accuracy as being able to hit a pie plate( or paper plate) 5 out of 5 shots- they come 5 to a box.
a hit in the vitals always resulted in a dead deer.
1 ounce is all you need.