New To Slug Guns Need Some Input

[Hams42]

I found a nice little white tail spot last year. The only thing is it's shotgun/archery only. I don't want to start carrying my bow in my truck during rifle season but another shotgun is no big deal.

I have not spent any real time hunting with a shotgun for deer before. I do have a Rem 870 express that I plan on putting a 1-6 LVPO on. I want to get a slug barrel for it but not sure on what length barrel I want. It's mostly thick willows with shooting lanes at 10 to 50 ft but in the evenings the deer will feed out to the adjacent fields that can put them out to 100 to 300 yards. I don't plan on shooting past 150 yards but I don't know if that is an acceptable range with them. If i get a barrel that's 18.5 in will that be viable for a shot out to 150? Or should I just get a 24" barrel.

Also what is everyone's preferred zero distance? 50? 75? I know there is a ton of drop.

TIA

 

[Nick87]

Drop depends on the slug. I think almost all brands have the trajectory printed on the box, which turns out are pretty close ime. I think you'll be fine with the shorter barrel. You'll have to experiment with some slugs to see what your gun likes. Each barrel is kinda finicky. Id recommend starting with hornady SST or Remington accutip. If you've got a 20 gauge that you coukd get a barrel for they shoot slugs a fair bit more accurate, but the 12 will be just fine. I sight mine in for about 75 and have taken deer out to about 175 but not often.

 

[Hams42]

Drop depends on the slug. I think almost all brands have the trajectory printed on the box, which turns out are pretty close ime. I think you'll be fine with the shorter barrel. You'll have to experiment with some slugs to see what your gun likes. Each barrel is kinda finicky. Id recommend starting with hornady SST or Remington accusing. If you've got a 20 gauge that you coukd get a barrel for they shoot slugs a fair bit more accurate, but the 12 will be just fine. I sight mine in for about 75 and have taken deer out to about 175 but not often.

It's a 12 ga. I like the idea of a shorter barrel!

 

[Nick87]

It's a 12 ga. I like the idea of a shorter barrel!

It'll serve you just fine.

 

[NoWiser]

Every slug barrel I’ve tried has been a complete nightmare. Maybe I’m too picky, but I’ve never been able to get groups that I’m comfortable hunting with at any range, let alone 150 yards. I wish I’d have saved myself the frustration and money and just got a Savage 220 right away. They are the way to go.

 

[Nick87]

Every slug barrel I’ve tried has been a complete nightmare. Maybe I’m too picky, but I’ve never been able to get groups that I’m comfortable hunting with at any range, let alone 150 yards. I wish I’d have saved myself the frustration and money and just got a Savage 220 right away. They are the way to go.

Those 220's shoot pretty good....my brother and I both have browning golds his a 20 and mine a 12. His shoots a little better but mine shoots about 3" or so group at 100 if I do my part. Like I said you gotta find the right slug.

 

[Dave N]

Tip of the day. Don't bother with 3" slugs. Your shoulder will thank you.

 

[Hams42]

Every slug barrel I’ve tried has been a complete nightmare. Maybe I’m too picky, but I’ve never been able to get groups that I’m comfortable hunting with at any range, let alone 150 yards. I wish I’d have saved myself the frustration and money and just got a Savage 220 right away. They are the way to go.

I get that but I am willing to pay $150-200 for a new barrel. I have so few shotgun hunting areas that I would use it in that $800 for a gun I'll use maybe 5 times over the next 10 years isn't practical for me. Now if I lived in the Midwest or out east I would definitely go this route.

 

[blacksheep]

Put the 870 in the safe and get a Savage 220. Mine shoots the Remington Accutips a little better than the Hornadys. Best slug guns out there. 2 3/4 inch slugs are all you need.

 

[Schutzhund]

Hastings makes a good barrel for the 870. I have a a cantlever Remington 12ga barrel that I bought and never hunted with. My area changed to straight wall the following year so its just been sitting in the safe. I can measure it when I get home if you are interested in it, id love to get rid of it. Pm me if you want.

 

[Steiny77]

Check around the midwest where many states have in recent years switched from slug gun regs to centerfire rifles. Very few are using shotguns setup for slugs and they can he acquired pretty cheap. The gun shops and gun shows are full of them.

 

[Addicting]

Does the state allow straight wall cartridges as slug guns?

 

[Hams42]

Does the state allow straight wall cartridges as slug guns?

I'm in MT we can pretty much use whatever gun we want but certain areas in the state are archery/shotgun only during rifle season.

 

[Addicting]

I'm in MT we can pretty much use whatever gun we want but certain areas in the state are archery/shotgun only during rifle season.

But what is the states definition of shotgun. Most allow some straight wall cartridges as a substitute.

If so you can pick up a 44 mag, a cascade rifle in 350 or 400 legend, or 450 bushmaster and forgo the slugs.

Some single shots are about the same cost as a barrel and shoot so much better.

 

[Hams42]

But what is the states definition of shotgun. Most allow some straight wall cartridges as a substitute.

If so you can pick up a 44 mag, a cascade rifle in 350 or 400 legend, or 450 bushmaster and forgo the slugs.

Some single shots are about the same cost as a barrel and shoot so much better.

I am trying not to get too specific with where it is but it has to be a shotgun/bow/crossbow. MT does not lump straight walls in. Some areas also allow traditional handguns (straight wall handgun rounds). For my purpose it has to be a shotgun.

 

[Addicting]

In that case watch the cantilever mounts on 870 barrels. I’ve had two times where they cracked or came loose. There wasn’t a way to fix it without a gunsmith. The day I got rid of it was the best day of owning it.

I just went to using my muzzleloader as a substitute until our laws changed.