Ten Commandments of Slug Shooting
I recently posted my recommended version of "Ten Commandments of Slug Shooting" and requested input from readers. I want to get these right, because I will "forever" be recalling and using them as I hunt for large game (deer, hogs, etc.) The following definition applies: "Conventional Slug" is any slug that is not a Sabot slug. I have received a lot of input and the revised "commandments" are given below.
1. Sabot slugs are the most accurate.
2. Sabot slugs require a rifled barrel or at least a rifled choke to be reliably effective. Sabot slugs must have rotational spin to throw off the Sabots and free up the stabilizing "wings." (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
3. Sabot slugs can be reliably effective up to about 100 yards for the average shooter, 200 yards for the expert shooter. (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
4. Conventional slugs are reliably effective up to about 75 yards for the average shooter. (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
5. Sabot slugs cost 3-4 times conventional slugs.
6. A "rifled slug" is not a Sabot slug and does not generate rotation when shot out of a non-rifled bore.
7. Conventional slugs are more accurate when shot out of a rifled barrel. A rifled barrel improves the trajectory of any and all types of slugs. (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
8. Slug shooting with a 20-gauge gun is less effective than shooting slugs with a 12-gauge gun (all things equal but gauge), but can still be very reliably effective, even with large game. (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
9. Conventional slugs work best with an open choke - improved cylinder or less choke is recommended.
10. A rifling pattern which produces 1 rotation in 30 to 35 inches is about ideal for sabot slug shooting.
If there is still "heartache" caused by these commandments, please continue to comment.
1. Sabot slugs are the most accurate.
2. Sabot slugs require a rifled barrel or at least a rifled choke to be reliably effective. Sabot slugs must have rotational spin to throw off the Sabots and free up the stabilizing "wings." (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
3. Sabot slugs can be reliably effective up to about 100 yards for the average shooter, 200 yards for the expert shooter. (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
4. Conventional slugs are reliably effective up to about 75 yards for the average shooter. (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
5. Sabot slugs cost 3-4 times conventional slugs.
6. A "rifled slug" is not a Sabot slug and does not generate rotation when shot out of a non-rifled bore.
7. Conventional slugs are more accurate when shot out of a rifled barrel. A rifled barrel improves the trajectory of any and all types of slugs. (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
8. Slug shooting with a 20-gauge gun is less effective than shooting slugs with a 12-gauge gun (all things equal but gauge), but can still be very reliably effective, even with large game. (THIS IS CHANGED FROM BEFORE.)
9. Conventional slugs work best with an open choke - improved cylinder or less choke is recommended.
10. A rifling pattern which produces 1 rotation in 30 to 35 inches is about ideal for sabot slug shooting.
If there is still "heartache" caused by these commandments, please continue to comment.
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Your shoulder will be turned to raw hamburger after firing a few rounds of slugs. This is why you should get a good recoil pad, such as a Limbsaver, for your shotgun. 0 -
I wouldn't go so far as to say I have "heartache" with any of your "commandments", but they appear to be more in the form of "statements" than "commandments".
I question the accuracy of #7.
If you are shooting Foster type slugs in a rifled slug barrel, you are paying for performance you're not getting, at least in theory. The rifled barrel is designed for sabots. The Foster "rifled slug" is designed to be used in a smooth bore. It has ridges on the slug which resemble rifling. The rifling on a Foster slug is actually so the slug can be used in various chokes. It gives the slug room to contract as it travels through a full choke. What gives the Foster slug its stability is a hollow base. The hollow base on a Foster slug puts most of the weight forward and causes it to fly straight, similar to a badminton shuttlecock. Various manufacturers make Foster slugs in slightly different diameters (caliber), so you might get better or worse performance in a particular barrel from one manufacturer to another.
The sabot slug is the only good thing I can think of to come out of france in the last couple hundred years. There used to be a sabot with a barbell shaped bullet. I thought I still had a few, but I can't find one now. Most sabot slugs now are just a .50 bullet in a plastic sabot loaded into a shotgun shell. The plastic sabot engages the rifling in the barrel and gives it the spin which stabilizes it in flight. the sabot falls away from the bullet shortly after it leaves the barrel.
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I'd agree with the # 7. Rifled is better than smooth.
As a matter of fact, if most of your shots are under that 80 yard mark, I wouldn't even mess with the sabot rounds.0 -
#4 is still BS> Rifled are still accurate at 100 yards but not beyond that. In my hunting party all the shot guns are sighted in for 100 yard shots anything inside of that we adjust for slightly. All shotguns we use are IC. 0 -
My slug gun. HK Max Lion 12 O/U with 24" barrels. Top is screw in , bottom is factory rifled. It will shoot cheapo Remington, Federals, Super X's.. it doesn't matter. Top barrel will put them ON A PAPER PLATE at 100 yd. Bottom Barrel will put them CENTER on the paper plate at 100 yd. Actually the rifling is a spreader choke for bird hunting. 0 -
Anyone have a link to a list of Shotguns that are safe to fire slugs??? 0 -
Any shotgun which is safe with modern ammunition is safe with slugs. 0 -
commandment #1 Don't point that thing at anybody! 0 -
Everything I've read says not to fire rifled slugs in a rifled barrel. I have no idea which is correct, but that's what the articles said.
I do know that rifled slugs in a rifled barrel strip lead pretty badly in the rifling, far worse than a sabot.
There have been several threads in the "Experts" forum here on this topic, which is where I read many of the reports.[:)]0 -
Man! You can't shoot slugs!
Those snail wannabes are too slow - no sport at all![;)]0 -
I've found saboted slugs to be easier on my shoulder than the other varieties. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by chrishiher
#4 is still BS> Rifled are still accurate at 100 yards but not beyond that. In my hunting party all the shot guns are sighted in for 100 yard shots anything inside of that we adjust for slightly. All shotguns we use are IC.
I have read a lot of your posts concerning smoothbore slug shooting. You tend to bash sabots and rifled shotguns. No ill will intended here, but I would like to see some targets (proof if you will) of the accuracy you claim with a smoothbore and slugs. I have been shooting my entire life and I have owned many guns. I have never obtained or seen anyone obtain the kind of accuracy that sabots deliver using conventional slugs. Not even close. The foster type slugs are great out to about 50 or even 75 yards, but the rifled barrels and the modern sabot can easily stretch out to 150 yards. Winchester makes a spitzer style sabot that can deliver 4 inch groups at 200 yards! If you like your smoothbore and old style slugs, that is fine, but facts are facts and a smootbore cannot and is not as accurate as a rifled barrel using sabots. Just my .02. By the way, here is a target that I used while sighting in my new Mossberg 930 RIFLED slug gun. It is topped with a 3X9 World Class on a cantilever rail. I took a 8 point with it this fall. One shot through the heart. The target spots are covering the holes as I adjusted the scope down while fine tuning it. the final group was a 3 shot group off of sandbags at 100 yards using BRI sabots. I also have a fully rifled bolt shotgun that will almost shoot this tight. UNTIL SOMEONE PROVES OTHERWISE- Sabots in rifled barrels are much more accurate than smoothbores.[:D]0 -
Hey Ba Sardo.....
Real men hunt big bad game with bows. Sorta real men hunt with shotgun slugs. Girly men hunt with rifles. I'LL BE BAAAAAAACK!!!
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Never said they were more accurate at all. But an expereninced shooter with a smooth bore can be an efficent killer out to 100 yards. Dont believe me i will set you up with the deer that was taken at 90 yards and many more at 100 yards with smooth bore mossbergs and remingtons. 0
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