Shotgun slug question

[Winchester_73]

I have a friend who uses a 12 gauge slug gun and I have some slugs for him but I have a question about which type he should use. This is because I heard a convo the other day at my local FFL where I *think* the guys said that rifled slugs are for smoothbore guns whereas smooth slugs are for rifled barrels??? Is this right? I ask because I think I may have both varieties but my friend uses a slug barrel on his shotgun. Does it matter which he uses? Did I misunderstand?

 

[Brian Pfleuger]

It is a bit confusing.

Rifled slugs are for smooth bore guns.

Sabot slugs are for rifled barrels.

However....


Sabot slugs can often times be just as accurate in a smooth bore, sometimes more so, that the rifled slugs in a smooth bore. Smooth bore guns are almost always limited to 75 yards and less, with a few rare exceptions, and at those ranges the sabot slugs often perform quite well in smooth bores. Pricing quite often makes it a no go however, as sabot slugs cost double, triple and more than rifled slugs.

Anyway, generally speaking, you can shoot sabot or rifled slugs in smooth bore but should avoid rifled slugs in rifled barrels.

To really confuse the matter, sometimes rifled slugs work just fine in rifled barrels and sometimes sabot slugs do NOT work just fine in smooth barrels.

 

[MTT TL]

that rifled slugs are for smooth bore guns

correct, also called foster slugs they impart spin to stabilize the slug

smooth slugs are for rifled barrels

Not exactly. There are several different designs, some with rifling some without that can be used in rifled barrels. Brenneke, Buckhammer, Trophy Slugs and Sabots can be used in rifled barrels. Buckhammer and sabots are for rifled barrels only.

Does it matter which he uses?

Maybe. It depends on the type shotgun he has and the throat constriction and choke. It is best to use the type designed for the gun to avoid problems. Foster slugs can also fill up your rifled barrel with lead over time.

Did I misunderstand?

I don't know... did you?

 

[T.A.Sharps]

Sabot slugs can often times be just as accurate in a smooth bore

Where did you get this information from?

Are you sure you didn't mean, to shoot a "rifled" slug, or foster slug, in a rifled barrel? Because you can do that accurately, just with lead fouling.

Otherwise what you said is completely false.

There is no way to stabilize the projectile in flight.

From the smooth bore there is nothing to impart spin. The sabot is there to engage the rifling inside the barrel and spin the unit. The bullet in a sabot is shaped for the spinning ballistics that a rifled barrel gives.

The reason "rifled" slugs, or Foster slugs, work in smooth bore shot gun is because the projectile is hollow at the base, and since it is weighted toward the nose it is held more true to its path without spin. Like a birdy in badminton.

Think if you threw a football with no spin on it. The spin makes the even shape and weight of the football more accurate.

You can shoot a $4 per round Sabot Slug out of a smooth bore, but the grouping will be opened up considerably, as well as the bullets will not be stable in their path, and will "key hole", hit the target side ways.

Foster or "Rifled" slugs are ok for rifled barrels + Smooth Bores.

Sabot Slugs, or "smooth slugs", are only good for rifled barrels.

 

[hogdogs]

correct, also called foster slugs they impart spin to stabilize the slug

The "rifling" on a foster is there to make the choke/slug combo safe up to and including full chokes. If the slug were full bore diameter, it could get restricted at the choke, upping the pressure to dangerous levels. If they were just smaller diameter, they would wobble leaving a cylinder bore.
The reason for the angled direction of the grooves is to act as a "gas check" to maintain full ME out of any bore constriction. Basically I refuse to call them rifling grooves to avoid continuing the misconception of imparting spin. I call them swaging grooves since that is their true purpose. The reason spin is not required is the same reason for a badminton shuttle cock not to need spin to fly straight. They are very nose heavy with a hollowed out butt.
Brent

 

[DRice.72]

The "rifling" on a foster is there to make the choke/slug combo safe up to and including full chokes. If the slug were full bore diameter, it could get restricted at the choke, upping the pressure to dangerous levels. If they were just smaller diameter, they would wobble leaving a cylinder bore.
The reason for the angled direction of the grooves is to act as a "gas check" to maintain full ME out of any bore constriction. Basically I refuse to call them rifling grooves to avoid continuing the misconception of imparting spin. I call them swaging grooves since that is their true purpose. The reason spin is not required is the same reason for a badminton shuttle cock not to need spin to fly straight. They are very nose heavy with a hollowed out butt.
Brent

This is why I joined. I did not know that. Thanks for that post hogdogs!!

 

[hogdogs]

Drice, Anytime... I try to further spread the truth and I have learned a ton here as well...
Brent

 

[younggun20]

check this test out



http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot46.htm

 

[DRice.72]

Very interesting! Nice post younggun20!

 

[younggun20]

wahoo i was referred to!!!

 

[DRice.72]

Well I thought that was an interesting read. Seeing pics of helps me too...

 

[MTT TL]

Thanks to the helpful people who corrected my mistaken understanding of the purpose of rifling on Foster slugs. I wish I was the only who thought that. It would be easier to fix.

 

[hogdogs]

MTT, It is hard to lump yerself up for it considering it was actually a selling point when the foster style was replacing the previous model. IIRC, the first "slugs" were just a single round ball or cylindrical blob, I could be 100% wrong as the foster was already the slug style of choice in my youth during the 70's.
Heck... the firms making them may have originally expected the grooves would get considerable spin. I am sure some spin is possible but not enuff to improve flight.
Ne sweat off my brow for you! Zackly the reason I have quit using the "R" word substituting "swaging grooves" But "Swaged Slugs" don't sound right
Brent

 

[DRice.72]

Yeah I just don't see the swaged slug marketing slogans taking off. " Gotta tight squeeze? You need these! Introducing the new swaged XL!"

 

[nutty ned]

Winchester_73: Does not matter what your friend uses, he needs to try diff ammo and shoot what shoots best. I shoot foster slugs in a rifled barrel with good results to 100 yds, never tried farther.