Rifled barrel vs. rifled slugs

T

TrueBlue711

New member
So I've come across some locations that only allow shotgun (and bow, but I'm no archer) for hunting big game. My primary hunting shotgun is my Browning Maxus. I'm looking at getting a rifled barrel for it, however, Browning stopped production for it. And when they did have it in production, it was about $450 - $500 for the barrel. That's a lot for a barrel. Secondly, I know there are slugs that have kind of a rifling carved into the slug.
So is it worth paying that much and looking really hard for that barrel? Or will the slugs I mentioned be plenty accurate enough using the normal barrel? And what choke is suggested for a rifled slug if using a normal barrel?
And yes, I already know what some answers will be: For $500, buy a pump action with a rifled barrel. Trying to avoid that.
 
Rifled slugs can indeed be decently accurate. They are significantly cheaper than sabot slugs - which is a good thing because of what you need to do. Shotgun barrels shooting slugs will frequently love one brand of slugs and absolutely hate another brand. That means you MUST experiment with several brands to find out what flavor yours likes and then stick with that brand. As to choke, generally the most open choke you have will shoot best - but even that can vary. I've seen Mod choked barrels shoot better than IC choked ones on occasion.

As to slug brands, be sure and try Brenneke KOs. They have a good reputation for shooting well in a variety of barrels (both smooth bore and also rifled barrels). They are a little more expensive than rifled slugs but if they shoot better, the cost is justified.
 
Yup, what Doyle said. The key is to try different brands and see how which performs the best. With my very cheap Maverick 88, the bead site, and a 6-o-clock hold, I'm pegging near the bullseye at 75 yards. Haven't tried further. That's with a modified choke.
 
Sabot slugs fired through a rifled barrel are dramatically more accurate than lead rifled slugs, i.e., Foster slugs, fired through any barrel. My statement is based on many years of experience hunting deer where center-fire rifles are prohibited.
 
And when they did have it in production, it was about $450 - $500 for the barrel. That's a lot for a barrel.
Click to expand...

It's about half the price of the gun, and a barrel is half of the gun, so not totally out of line. And the comment above about rifled barrels being more accurate is something to consider depending on your hunting conditions and distances.
 
It's about half the price of the gun, and a barrel is half of the gun, so not totally out of line.
Click to expand...
By that logic, yes you're right. But also since they're out of production, I wouldn't expect one to find one for less than $600. If I can even find one.

Is a used barrel ok? $109 and shipping. I'm unaffiliated with the seller.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Browning-Max...item33d5b62efc
Click to expand...
Good find! I wish the rail wasn't cut off. Not sure why they would do that. Also, my Maxus is 3.5". I don't think a 3" barrel will fit :-( Thanks for looking though!

Most of the spots I've seen with shotgun only is 100 yards max shooting usually. Brush and hills prevent me from shooting much further. So from some of the responses I've seen, rifled slugs with smooth bore barrels are just fine for 100 yds and under?
 
Rifled slugs should be gppd to go under 100 yards. I can shoot 50 yards pretty accurately without a scope on my mossberg.
 
Sabot slugs fired through a rifled barrel are dramatically more accurate than lead rifled slugs, i.e., Foster slugs, fired through any barrel. My statement is based on many years of experience hunting deer where center-fire rifles are prohibited.
Click to expand...

Hunting with shotguns I would have to agree with lefteye on this. If you are willing to spend a few more dollars on ammo that would be the best route.
 
The rifled barrel for 3" slugs will fit the action of a shotgun with a 3.5 inch chamber. The internal chambering has nothing to do with how the barrel mounts.
 
Isn't there a barrel extension on these though? I know on ny Beretta gas guns, I cannot swap barrels from my 3" to my 3.5" or the other way around because of that.
 
Just want to point out something I didn't see mentioned. I think you are mistaken in that the rifling on rifled slugs is there to spin the slug. The reason the rifling is on there is so that you can fire them through a choke. As the slug passes through the smaller diameter choke the rifling allows it to compress in order to fit through it. A rifled slug fired from smoothbore will not spin.
 
The rifling on rifled slugs is there to impart spin to the projectile.
Whether it actually DOES that is up for conjecture. The heavy nose of the slug keeps it from wobbling in flight.
The soft lead construction and the hollow base are what let slugs safely pass through chokes.
 
Hm, I seem to be mistaken. This Video shows that they do indeed spin. I could have sworn I remember they found they did not spin at all on the high speed footage. So they can spin relatively slowly. Whether or not that really makes a difference I don't know. It is without a doubt not as accurate as a sabot slug through a rifled barrel that's for sure.
 
"...A rifled slug fired from smoothbore will not spin..." Nonsense. That's why the slug itself is rifled.
You can expect 2 to 3 inch groups at 100 yards with any slug and a smooth bore. You still have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo your shotgun likes.
"...choke is suggested for a rifled slug..." Cylinder or IC.
 
I heard about rifled chokes. Will that help as well for smoothbore using rifled slugs? Or will the "rifling on rifling" not be good?
 
I heard about rifled chokes. Will that help
Click to expand...

Rifled chokes are largely a gimmick engineered to separate shooters from their cash. I have never seen any evidence that they improve slug performance over and above what you would get by simply matching the brand/type of slug to your particular barrel.
 
Rifled chokes are supposed to help when using a sabot slug in a smoothbore barrel. Whether they add enough rotation to be accurate, you'll have to determine on a target.
 
There are three projectiles for shotgun barrels,

the first is the "Foster" rifled slug, which, is a hollow based projectile, it actd like a Badmiton shuttle cock, with the heavy nose keeping hte projectile heading towards the target. Maximumrange with paper plate grouping is 80 yards, using a smooth bore barrel.
The advantage of this projectile, is that the shell an fire through any choked barrel, as the external lands will squeeze down and allow passage.
Some experiements cannot prove spinning is achieved.

A second slug is the "German made Brenneke" developed in the late 1890, it uses a heavy lead slug, with external lans, but has a wad column screwed / attached to the base. The wad give better fit traveling the barrel.
This has better range through a smooth bore barrel, to 100yds, then DROPS.

The third is the sabot, which is a plastic envelope with a smaller projectile inside, it travels down a rifled shotgun barrel, engaing the lands and impart spin, after exiting the barrel, the envelope seperates and projectilehead to the target, still spinning. Very good accuracy, are more expensive and range to 120 yds,

The first two projectile can be shot thru a rilfed barrel, BUT the lead with eventually start fillingnhte land& grooves giving poor grouping.

The sabot can be fired froma smooth bore but has poor range and grouping.

You have to shooot different projectile from your shotgun and see what give best grouping and range.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top