Shotgun Slug Hunting for Deer

[Tomahawk]

Greetings,

I hunt deer mostly with archery the past few years but have set up my Remington 11-87 SPS with a Remington Factory rifled slug barrel with cantilever scope mount. My scope is a 1.75X4 Bushnell Trophy shotgun scope. I really like this scope.

I have had success in the past with a Remington 870 and a Hastings rifled barrel with scope mount. In this gun I shot mostly 2 3/4" Winchester foster style slugs due to economical price, very good knock down and shots under 100 yards.

I am wanting to try some sabots in the new barrel. I want to see if they are worth the price. It looks like there is a lot to choose from. Can anyone reccomend some slug brands and types that I should try out? I do realize that each gun and barrel is unique. It has been at least 4 years since I hunted with shotgun slugs. There must be some new slug loads availale since then. I was not very impressed with the early sabots, but hear that the technology is improving.

I do have my Rem 870 Hastings slug barrel for sale if anyone is looking for one. It has served me well, but I no longer own an 870. It seems like the new age muzzleloaders are all the rage these days.

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy,

Many advances in slug technology over th past few years. That said, there is no better way than to shoot 'em and see which ones your gun throws the best.

Sabots are the way to go with a rifled barrel; buy several brands and try them.

I've had great success with the Remington Copper Solids and Winchester partition Gold.

Many members are turning to the Lightfield line (I plan on testing them in the next few weeks myself.)

[grizz660]

Tomahawk:
As others have said in previous posts, one option is to buy a few boxes of several diffrent sabots and try they thru the gun. @ $9.00+ a box that can get a bit pricy. It can also be a bit hard on the sholder. :sad: When I bought my 870 SP with rifled slug barrel and cantilever scope mount 2 years ago I talked to the guys @ D and R sports center in Kalamazoo and on their recomendation started with the lightfield hybred 2 3/4 sabots. I started using these slugs when I sited my scope and have never looked back. With these slugs I get 4"-5" groups @ 100 yards. That's plenty for me as my shots have all been under 50 yards. Here's my original post on the lightfields 2 years ago. http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27247

[spendit]

My Bennelli shoots the 3" Federal sabots the best. Tried many others to get there but these loads pattern the best for me.

[deputy]

I have had success in the past with a Remington 870 and a Hastings rifled barrel with scope mount. In this gun I shot mostly 2 3/4" Winchester foster style slugs due to economical price, very good knock down and shots under 100 yards.

doh. you are not supoosed to shoot these through a rifled slug gun! the build up of lead can cause you to blow a barrel! this gun needs to be cleaned at once and all the lead and plastic removed! now you have a rifled slug gun that cost you
800 bucks and your shoot cheap slugs! i will never figure that out! shoot good ammo dont skimp try lightfields, remington corelok, and winchester partion golds all shoot well out of my 11-87 slugger, not trying to knock you here but you dont run cheap gas in a race car! yes there not 3 bucks a box but belive me they will be well worth the cost

[Tomahawk]

Thanks for the advice guys.

At what range is it good to compare slugs, 100 yards?

[mich buckmaster]

Lightfield Hybrid 2 3/4 inch slugs. Very accurate out to 100 yards!!

[jk hillsdale]

Winchester Partition Gold is one good possibility. 75 or 100 yards is a good distance, assuming you're using a quality scope and you're an excellent shot.
Frankly, I hate getting walloped from shooting slugs, and whenever I'm off target I always find myself wondering if it's a problem with me flinching, rather than with the particular load, etc. I've become a somewhat better shot over the past 10 years, but I'd rate sighting in shotgun slugs right up there with a trip to the dentist, in terms of things to avoid. Maybe I'm just a wimp? :D

[vandermi]

My best friend uses that exact setup.

He has tried them all, and swears by the rem copper solids. I myself use brenke but I have a dufferent setup.

[BASSNTAZ]

I use Winchester Partition Gold 2 3/4 and a Savage bolt action. These slugs are great shooters. I am sighted in at 100 yards and have a 2 inch group 4 inch high @ 150. Of coarse that at a range with a solid rest and heart not going a thousand mile an hour. Most of my kills have been less then 90 yards with one at 147 (used laser range finder). :D Anyone else use bolt actions?

Good luck to all and have a safe season.

[vandermi]

I have been using a Mossberg Bolt action for a few years. I have to say it is the most accurate slug gun I have ever had. Now if I could just get the clip to stay in place when I shoot I would be estatic. Does anyone know how to permanently fix the clip problem the Mossberg has. Everyone I know has the same problem. Every time you shoot you have to reseat the clip. Even the local gunsmith said he has had several people inquire how to fix it.

[mparks]

At what range is it good to compare slugs, 100 yards?

I do accuracy testing and sighting in at 50 yards to lessen the effect of the wind on the slugs. I've seen a 10 mph breeze push slugs 3" at 100 yds. A variable breeze could really screw with your groups at 100 yds w/slugs.

As mentioned above, sighting slug guns off a bench can hurt just a little. If you do it smart you can save your shoulder and your pocket book a little. I've seen guys bang away 5 boxes of $10/box slugs at 50 yards and still not have it sighted in. Get 'er on the paper at 10-25 yds. Sight in 1.5-2" high at 50(depending on load). Then you can go to 100 and check accuracy if the isn't much wind.

I catch myself flinching once in awhile after a few shots. If I do I stop for a while and calm down. Or just call that shot a flyer and move on.

[Randy Kidd]

Lightfield slugs..2 3/4 inch.. 2 inch groups at 100 yards.. I shoot the 870 full rifled barrel with the same scope you have... Zero it dead bull at 25 yards..It will be 1.5 inches high at 50 and bull at 100. If you want to zero it for 50 yards instead of 100 hold dead on at 25 but your slugs should hit 1.5 inches low. that way they will be in the bull at 50...Much easier to zero at 25 yard ranges than it is at 50 or 100. In my opinion 1.5 or even 2 inches high at 50 is nothing on deer sized game. From 0 to 100 yards I just pick my spot on the deer, it will hit it unless I am trying to hit an eye or something :p

[Jacob Huffman]

I hunt with the winchester portition gold sobots.They are fast and very accurate.I shoot an ultra slugger which has a very heavy barrel but I got 1 inch groups last year at 100 yards.I top it with a redfield tracker 3/9/40.These slugs are not very forgiving on the shoulder though.

[muzzymike]

i love my marlin with winchester partition slugs!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/555/2166web_8_point-med.jpg
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/555/2166web_both_bucks.jpg

[Dead Bird]

I used Federal Vital Shock in 2 3/4 last year... it is a barnes bullet and worked fine... this year I am thinking of trying the new Win 3" gold partion... I shot a Browning Bolt Action and I found that most brands grouped just fine each brand required some tuning... it is true though that these slug guns bark... my 300 Wby is alot more fun than to shot than my slug gun... but I spend alot of time slug hunting...