Smoothbore Shotguns and Slugs

[Clevinger]

I am struggling with indecision right now. I'm considering getting a slug gun with a rifled barrel. However, I already have a smoothbore shotgun and some of the better slugs out there now (Brenneke KO and Federal Truball) are pretty dang good out to 100 yards.

Who here hunts deer with slugs out of a smoothbore shotgun?

What sights and barrel length are you using?

[scooters]

I use a browning A5 20 gauge 28" barrel. I use cheapest standard rifled slug ammo. I have used Remington, Winchester and federal all with same result dead deer. I've shotgun hunted on the family farm for 30 years with the same gun. I'm accurate to about 60 yds but for southern wi that's all that's needed.

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[scooters]

As for sights I use the standard bead.

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[Stanley]

I think with a rifled barrel and a scope you could push out to 125 yards maybe a tad farther.

[Maple_Ridge]

Used to.

My set up was an 870 with cheap sluggers.

100 yards was max. In my opinion.

Then bought a rifled barrel and now shoot accutips 2 3/4" by remington. Not looking back now, max. Range is now 150 yards for me.

This is for me though after I felt comfortable shooting that far from a rock solid bench. Spend much time at the range whatever route you take.

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[Clevinger]

As for sights I use the standard bead.

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Just the front bead most shotguns come with, you mean?

[scooters]

As for sights I use the standard bead.

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Just the front bead most shotguns come with, you mean?

Yes

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[Clevinger]

As for sights I use the standard bead.

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Just the front bead most shotguns come with, you mean?

Yes

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Do you feel like you were pretty consistent with that? Maybe I just need practice, but I feel like I shoot left with just the front bead.

[dirt nap giver]

I shoot both. Depends on what location I am hunting. My smooth bore only likes Remington slugs. Anything else shoots a foot to the right and 6" low. Different guns like different ammo.
Sighting in is a must. Have to figure out which ammo your gun throws best and adjust from there.

9 times out of 10 I'll take my rifled savage 20.

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[Redman232]

I generally shoot my 870 12 ga. with the shorter smooth bore barrel with rifle sights on it. It's been beat and kicked around for 15+ years and it's still a 70 yard gun with cheap federal 2 3/4" rifled slugs. I have shot farther on wounded deer and hit where I was aiming but I keep my first shots 70 yards. I also occasionally pull out and old Ithaca single shot 12 ga. with fiber optic rifle sights on it. For a smooth bore that gun is a tack driver. Off a bench we can group the same federal slugs in about a 6 inch circle at 100 yards.

[trdtnlbwhntr]

If you have the choice then by all means go with the rifled barrel. If you are trying to maximize your setup and have to go with the smoothbore, Id be sure to fit it with some sort of optics. Even if just a fixed 4x shotgun scope. In my opinion smoothbores are extremely temperamental and can only be trusted to 75 yards or so. I have a Mossberg 935 rifled autoloader, that can shoot the Lightfield 2 3/4" slugs out to 150 easily and shoot 3-4" groups no problem.

[blizzardhunter]

I have shot a remington 870 with a rifled choke. Used 3" federal premium saboted slugs. Had scope mount put on gun. I can shoot out to 125 without having to compensate for elevation. 2" groups at 100 yards. Really love this set up when I don't need the long range.

[Southern Man]

I have shot a remington 870 with a rifled choke. Used 3" federal premium saboted slugs. Had scope mount put on gun. I can shoot out to 125 without having to compensate for elevation. 2" groups at 100 yards. Really love this set up when I don't need the long range.

I might add his 870 was a short barreled gun also. One of the most accuate slug shootin guns I've even seen. It will flat put them down.

[rizzo999]

After witnessing too many injured deer and missed deer from the 12 ga smoothbores my friends and I use I purchased a Savage 220 bolt-action slug gun. Although I am not sure I would take a shot on a deer 200 yds this gun groups at about 3" (for me) at 200 yds. At 100 yds it is simply a tack driver with the correct ammo (Federal Barnes Tipped Expanders). I have taken 2 shots with this gun since purchasing on deer and both of them were tagged. I still have my 870 smoothbore for tight locations, but more of just a back-up gun no for deer hunting.

[brink]

I'm with rizzo. Savage 220 with 3 inch federal Barnes expander sabot slug. Have only used it at the range but it produces tight groups past 125

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