Rifled Slugs vs Sabots for shotguns
Here in Indiana, we can only use shotguns to hunt with. I have been hunting for 20 years and I am hoping to learn something new here. Can anyone tell me if there is a big accuracy advantage to sabot slugs costing upwards of 8.00 a box compared to rifled slugs costing 2.00 a box? I am getting a new barrel for my 870 and will be mounting a scope on it. I think we owe it to the animals we hunt to make the most accurate shot we can with the equipment we have but I REALLY hate to pay 8 or 9 dollars a box when it may take 3 or 4 boxes to sight in and be confident with a setup.
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sabot are necessary if you do with a fully rifled barrel. I believe that 3" & 3 1/2" are a waste of money. Have found that the best shooting sabots in my 870 and also 1100 are Rem premier 2 3/4" 385 gr core-lokt ultra bonded. also Win supreme 2 3/4" partition gold 385 gr. these both produce groups of 3" or less at 100 yds. 7-8" was the best these guns would do with the smooth barrels and regular slugs. www.midwayusa.com has decent prices on ammo 0 -
I hunted for years with a smooth bore barrel and rifled slugs. Accuracy wise, I could keep all shots on a paper plate at 50 yards when sighting in. In 1993, I wounded and lost a huge 8 point. Luckily the guy on the next property recovered it but kept it.
I bought a Remington 870 with a rifled slug barrel before the following season. It will consistantly shoot clover leaf patterns
at 75 yards as long as I do my part.
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Sabot slugs in a rifled barrel add to both accuracy and felt recoil.
A lot depends on where and how you plan on hunting. If your plans mostly involve shots of 100 yards or less, go with the smooth bore and the less expensive ammo. If you expect to be shooting across cornfields then go with the rifled barrel and sabots.
btw - Handguns and muzzle loaders are also allowed here in Indiana.
Semper Fi
Remember Ruby Ridge.
Experience is the best teacher and usually charges accordingly.
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Check the law. As stupid as it sounds, some places that don't allow rifles also don't allow rifled barrels on shotguns. Took the clubs a while to get the law changed in Halifax County, VA.
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Thanks for the input. The barrel that I am getting is fully rifled so I guess I am stuck with the more expensive sabots. Man! I really hate paying that much for a box of slugs!!! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by James R. K.
Check the law. As stupid as it sounds, some places that don't allow rifles also don't allow rifled barrels on shotguns. Took the clubs a while to get the law changed in Halifax County, VA.
Rifled shotguns are legal here.
How's this for stupidity in the law? Handguns for deer hunting must have a minimum bore diameter and case length. We can use high powered rifle cartridges in hand guns, such as .35 Remington in a Contender or traditional handgun cartridges from guns with at least a 4" barrel such as .357 mag, .44 mag, 45 LC, but we can't use rifles in pistol calibers. Go figure.
Semper Fi
Remember Ruby Ridge.
Experience is the best teacher and usually charges accordingly.
Not a member at the auction? Join Gunbroker at this link!0 -
Slash, Check out Brenneke saboted slugs, they are usually cheap and very effective. I use them all the time in my 870 rifled barrel. Now you can spent $15 on a box of five or $4 on a box, I have found NO diffrence in the two slugs. the cheapos kill just as well.
muss0 -
get the best ammo and powder you can, this isn't the place to skimp 0 -
A friend of mine uses non-sabot slugs in his fully rifled barrel with good results. This is what led me to asking the questions on here. quote:sabot are necessary if you do with a fully rifled barrel
What would the results be if I were to use non-sabot slugs and does anyone else agree with 41.357deer? (I hope I was able to insert the quote correctly) I agree that we should use the best ammo in our means, but I would be able to practice a lot more at 2.00 a box compared to 10.00+ a box not to mention sighting in. A question on that... Would I be able to use non-sabots to at least get my scope on paper and then (with ample final sighting) switch to more expensive slugs?0 -
Yes, this is an issue all off us shotgunners face in the quest for improved accuracy/performance. From what I have read recently, the problem with the cheap (full size Foster slugs) is that they slow down and cross below 'subsonic' speed around 70 - 80 yards. Being a relatively crude projectile, the slug experiences 'turbulance' and can tumble or wobble slightly and give you groups that indicate this at these ranges.
The sabots, out of a rifled barrel, don't go subsonic until past 100 yards, but even then they were designed to fly straight through this transition - and they also give groups to indicate this at those ranges. My source for this info was 'Shotgunning for Deer" (or something like that) by Dave Henderson.
The reason that I found this to be worth repeating is that my real world shooting has given results that fully support what he'd written - no full size slug that I've shot is worth a crap beyond 80 yards while many are very good out to 70 or so. Personally, if I was very confident that my shots at deer would be 60 yards or less, I'd probably stick with the cheap slugs - they do the job very well, as long as they go where you want them to.
My shots are sometimes longer, so I made commitment to go with the sabot slugs. My current load of choice is the Winchester 400 grain Platinum tipped sabot. Most accurate I've found and a little less kick (shoulder & wallet) than the 385 grain slugs from Winchester & Remington. There are alot of good sabots around though.
For sighting in your scope, certainly use the cheap stuff to get it close. 3" magnum full size slugs have trajectories that are kinda close to the platinum tipped (out to 60 to 70 yards anyway) so they can be used for practice too. I do this everytime I practice with my 1187. I haven't have any 'leading' issues from using full sized slugs (some will tell you differently).
I am going to try the Brenneke KO sabot slugs soon too. I picked up a box recently (3") that should be much like the Winchester load I currently use. The Brenneke KOs are pretty cheap too ($ 6-7/box).
Good luck and don't go too cheap on your scope (make sure it has enough eye relief).0 -
Hello Slash0311:)
They are much more than you need for hunting deer. But if you have to get up close and personal with large/potentially dangerous game, then the slugs that you want are the Dixie Terminators. See www.dixieslugs.com
Best Regards:)0
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