What is a good slug gun?
- Thread starter Js0nt
- Start date
I just bought a new 12 ga. Remington 870 tonight. It has the cantilever scope mount, synthetic stock. Dick's Sporting Goods has them on sale for $329 with a $30 rebate. They were supposed to hold a new one for me but didn't, all they had was the display. The manager took another 10% off, so after the rebate, it was a pretty good deal.
As far as which is best, that's up to you. Try to handle a few and see what you like. I like the dependability of the 870, easy to get parts (replacement barrels) for. I'm going to try and get out this week to see how it shoots.
As far as which is best, that's up to you. Try to handle a few and see what you like. I like the dependability of the 870, easy to get parts (replacement barrels) for. I'm going to try and get out this week to see how it shoots.
BoneDigger
New member
slug gun
I have owned a few slug guns, and each one had its plusses and minuses. I presently own a Mossberg 500, with an aftermarket rifled slug barrel with cantilever scope mount. It shoots very good groups, but recoil is a little stiff. With an aftermarket Limbsaver pad, it works great.
I have also owned a H&R Ultra Slugger single action which was a good shooter but very heavy. I also owned a Mossberg 695 bolt action slug gun (it was OK, but not my cup of tea). Lastly, I owned a Remington 1100 with smoothbore slug barrel. Groups were only fair at best.
To me, a good pump shotgun with a rifled slug barrel is about perfect. You can then use the regular barrel when you need, then switch out to the slug barrel when you need that. Mossberg (500), Remington (870), Ithaca, and Browning all have aftermarket slug barrels. However, research this in detail first. Some barrels are more expensive than others. My Mossberg shotgun cost me $200. The slug barrel was another $75. So, for $275 I have a double duty shotgun that I can use for ducks or doves, home defense, or deer hunting with slugs, with just the change of a barrel. With the cantilever scope mount, the scope is attached to the barrel, so you never have to resight it (aside from an annual recheck).
As far as the 12 vs 20 debate. A 20 gauge will do fine for deer, but I honestly believe a 12 gauge is better. If you are small framed, then a 12 gauge may be a little much, but if you are medium to large framed, it won't be too bad. Extended range sessions can be gruelling with either one.
I hope this helps.
Todd
I have owned a few slug guns, and each one had its plusses and minuses. I presently own a Mossberg 500, with an aftermarket rifled slug barrel with cantilever scope mount. It shoots very good groups, but recoil is a little stiff. With an aftermarket Limbsaver pad, it works great.
I have also owned a H&R Ultra Slugger single action which was a good shooter but very heavy. I also owned a Mossberg 695 bolt action slug gun (it was OK, but not my cup of tea). Lastly, I owned a Remington 1100 with smoothbore slug barrel. Groups were only fair at best.
To me, a good pump shotgun with a rifled slug barrel is about perfect. You can then use the regular barrel when you need, then switch out to the slug barrel when you need that. Mossberg (500), Remington (870), Ithaca, and Browning all have aftermarket slug barrels. However, research this in detail first. Some barrels are more expensive than others. My Mossberg shotgun cost me $200. The slug barrel was another $75. So, for $275 I have a double duty shotgun that I can use for ducks or doves, home defense, or deer hunting with slugs, with just the change of a barrel. With the cantilever scope mount, the scope is attached to the barrel, so you never have to resight it (aside from an annual recheck).
As far as the 12 vs 20 debate. A 20 gauge will do fine for deer, but I honestly believe a 12 gauge is better. If you are small framed, then a 12 gauge may be a little much, but if you are medium to large framed, it won't be too bad. Extended range sessions can be gruelling with either one.
I hope this helps.
Todd
Cheap Alternative
Several years ago I decided to deer hunt in an area that was shotgun only. To save money I purchased one of those single shot, New England slug guns.
It is light and decently accurate. The price was less then an extra slug barrel for my Remington. It has one big drawback.
The recoil is brutual. Shooting a six pound slug gun from a bench is no fun. One forgets how much recoil a 12 gauge can generate. It even has a three inch chamber for the really macho guys.
Several years ago I decided to deer hunt in an area that was shotgun only. To save money I purchased one of those single shot, New England slug guns.
It is light and decently accurate. The price was less then an extra slug barrel for my Remington. It has one big drawback.
The recoil is brutual. Shooting a six pound slug gun from a bench is no fun. One forgets how much recoil a 12 gauge can generate. It even has a three inch chamber for the really macho guys.