The slug thread.

D

Death from Afar

New member
This is not a troll.

Over a few beers in the Club the other night, the conversation turned ( as one would naturally expect) to shooting. The talk turned to shotguns, and the usual Mossberg vs Remington fist fight started. After that, however, the convfersation turned to shot. One of the dudes asked: " What is the point of a shotgun slug?" Which raised an interesting point. Putting aside "shotguns only" hunting regulations ( which we dont have in New Zealand BTW) why do we we use shotgun slugs?

Admittedly they are a powerful, and will bowl just about anything, but buck will do the same- and you loose the advantage of a spread pattern, do run the risk of overpenetration, and are "inaccurate" compared to buckshot ( i.e harder to hit a small area).

Now, I do enjoy blasting slugs as much as the next man, but on the occassions I use a shotgun for hunting larger animals- and SHTF scenarios- I would be loading up with 00 buck.

So, having endured this long narrative, I put it to you...why slugs?
 
I have no problem shooting the magnum slug loads. With the reduced recoil slugs I would think that it offers a higher hit probability. Not to mention reduced muzzle flash. I don't think over penetration is a concern if you do your job shot placement. With that said I load my shotgun with buckshot.

Federal Tactical slug (reduced recoil) Gel Penetration 12.8" Recovered diameter 1.00"

Winchester Foster slug (reduced recoil) Gel Penetration 16.5" Recovered diameter 1.05"
 
For deer you are limited to about 25 yds with buckshot. With a sabot slug and a rifled shotgun barrel you can get 1" groups at 100 yds and be effective to take deer at even greater than 100 yds !!! BTW many talk about expansion of slugs ,but please , 12 gage doesn't need expansion.
 
Because a thumb sized hunka lead at or near supersonic speed is a good close range stopper.

Because it adds another level of versatility to a great tool.

Because we can.....
 
Re:usp40

Overpenatration of slugs? At the typical ranges encountered in an inside SD situation, I believe most slugs would enter and exit most human targets. Granted, the person hit with the slug will have a lousy day, so will anyone in the path of that projectile.
 
buckshot vs slugs; The shotgun can be very versitile, lots of different loads and shot sizes. In golf you have different clubs for different situations. Buckshot is like a 9 iron or sand wedge - great at short range. The slug is like a driver-longer distance. Golfers don't limit themselves to 1 club, why should a shooter limiit themself to 1 size shot or 1 type load.
 
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