new shotgunner question on deer hunting

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kevdrums

New member
I'm a new shotgunner... just got a Mossberg 500 field/security combo 12ga... I am interested in getting into deer hunting (ohio only allows shotguns in gun season) and was curious if putting rifled slugs through my field barrel was adequately accurate or practical... I know they sell specific deer barrels, but if I can get by well enough with what I have, I would be pleased. I'm going to assume simply lining up both beads will do the trick on aiming slugs? Then my question goes to what choke to use when putting a slug down the barrel?
 
Slug shooters tend to use open chokes; but, you may find an accuracy improvement with a slight constriction. Unfortunately, there's no golden rule about conventional slugs and smooth bore chokes. You'll need to do some target testing to find the combination of slug and choke that are optimum for your application.
 
Slugs are a little undersized and most barrels are a little oversize so slug accuracy from a cylinder bore is pretty iffy with a lot of guns. IC or IM or any choke in between tends to swage the slug and center it making it more consistent. Now you have to shoot the gun to find out where it hits relative to point of aim. The only choke you never never never use a slug through is a super or extra full choke also known as a turkey choke. Nobody but you can tell where your gun is going to hit and you won't know till you try it. You may have to experiment with different slugs and different chokes to find the right combination.
 
Your field barrel will do fine 50 yards in. Use your IC choke with rifled slugs (not to be confused with sabots) and you'll be just fine.
 
Former NE Ohioan here,

best accuracy is with a scope 1.5 or 2X.

The foster / brenneke style slug will compress passing through chokes, no more that MOD. true cylinder bore guide the slugs better.
The Foster is an overweight "shuttlecock" and the brenneks is a honking mass of lead with a lightweight wad screwed to it butt.
Same principle for both just differing means to attain.

Personally, I tend to like the brenneke for use.

see what give best grouping and range.

Good Luck, isn't it the firearm season on Ohio?
 
With a smooth bore shoot a open style choke like improved or just cylinder using rifled slugs that you find work. With a rifled barrel shoot sabots and get the best glass for it you can. Something with good eye relief so it doesnt jab you in the nose and something that you can see your target well with. Nikon makes a Prostaff made for shotguns for like 130 bucks and its perfect. I shoot my slug gun more than rifles and just bought a TC Pro Hunter 20ga and put a Nikon Slughunter on it and wow. Shoots just as good as my rifle to 200 yards. With a little practice dont limit your shots, these new slugs are capable of 150-200 yard shots all day long
 
Using the Mossberg 500 will do great for deer hunting( I just bagged an 8-pointer this season!) Use an open to full choke. when using a smooth bore barrel you definitely want to use a rifled slug but never use one on a rifled barrel. before you head out to hunt be sure to target practice
 
I have always been told slugs aren't good for a field barrel, but I don't know if that is true.

Also, fellow Ohioan here. My Benelli m2 with Leupold 3-9 seems to do just fine. :)
 
I have always been told slugs aren't good for a field barrel, but I don't know if that is true.
Click to expand...
Somebody told your buddy wrong and he told you wrong. Full choke isn't recommended but it isn't a tragedy if you do.

Extra full choke is bad, it could blow the choke out or ring the barrel from high pressure. It's goes to tight to fast for the slug to pass easily through.

Now if your friend said or meant Damascus or twisted steel barrel he would have been correct.
 
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