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Are You Using the Right Slug for Your Shotgun?

As a matter of ethics, hunters should always sight in their slug guns before heading afield. However, it takes some experimentation to find the best slug for your gun.

Most slug guns or slug barrels will fire a certain brand or style of slug better than others - and the best slug may differ with individual guns of the same model and configuration. Sure, there are some exceptions to the rule but for the most part it applies to all brands of slug guns.

Have you ever wondered why slug barrels are usually quite short?

The rifling in standard 18-22 inch slug barrel fulfills the maximum potential in aiding the slug in achieving accuracy. Once all the powder is burned and the slug reaches terminal velocity and the rifling has started the spinning slug, the barrel's job is done. This happens in the first 18-22 inches of barrel. A longer barrel only slows the slug down with friction. Additionally, some slugs are so slow that with a longer barrel the shooter would be flinching from recoil before the slug has exited the barrel, thus causing operator induced inaccuracy.

There are several variables that shooters and hunters should consider in their search for the right slug for the shotgun. First, slugs come in many load sizes and lengths, not to mention different gauges. Should you shoot a sabot or conventional slug?

Why use a sabot (pronounced "say-bo") slug?

There are many sabot slugs on the market today. Sabot slugs perform much better in a rifled barrel than in smooth bore barrels, and most are specifically designed for that purpose. Additionally, sabots generally perform better than conventional slugs.

There are several good reasons to give a sabot slug a try. First, the plastic sabot allows for a more efficiently designed projectile, thereby allowing it to fly farther and faster. This also means that for any given distance the trajectory is much flatter, allowing for greater accuracy. Second, the sabot helps keep the barrel from becoming leaded and dirty. Some sabot slugs are "keyed" to the slug to provide torque and rotation in order to aid in accuracy.

Sabot shooters should consider using a scope on their slug gun. In general, most shooters will not be able to fully benefit from the improved range and accuracy provided by sabot slugs if they use open sights.

An experienced shooter with a fully rifled barrel, sabot slug and quality scope can expect to have an effective range of up to 150 yards or more.

Barrels with a screw-in rifled choke tube can also benefit from using sabot slugs but not to the extent that a fully rifled barrel will.

Note: Using a conventional lead slug in a rifled barrel is not advised. The soft lead will foul the rifling quickly negating any benefit the rifling might provide.

Why use conventional Slugs?

Hunters using a smooth bore barrel will be best served by conventional (Foster style) slugs, sometimes referred to as “rifled slugs.” Firing a rifled slug through a rifled barrel will result in the rifling of the barrel and the rifling on the slug working against each other. This action will quickly foul the rifling on the inside of your barrel adversely effecting accuracy. We suggest that you do not fire rifled slugs through a rifled barrel.

With a conventional slug and a smooth bore barrel the soft lead will conform to the bore and provide acceptable accuracy and energy out to moderate shooting distances.

Most smooth bore barrels utilize rifle sights and at the range that convention slugs are effective rifle sights may be a good choice. However, utilizing a scope will improve the shooters ability due to the fact that the human eye is not designed to focus on three things at once as is required with rifle sights. (Rear sight, front sight & point of aim on whitetail deer)

Shoot your way to success

Where do we start in our quest to find the best slug/gun combination? The answer is on the range with several brands of slugs to experiment with.

First, hunters need to be sure the shotgun fits them. In order to shoot accurately, the weapon must fit properly to get consistent results. Some hunters find that when it's snugged up to a shotgun, the pump or forearm can be a bit out of reach. Wear the same amount of clothing at the range as you will when you are hunting to mimic conditions in the field. If the shotgun does not fit the shooter, he or she should look for another gun.

Next, determine at what range the shotgun needs to be sighted in. Many hunters prefer to begin at 50 or 75 yards. Then, once the shotgun and slugs are sighted in, the hunter will shoot a few times at 100 yards to determine how much drop the slug has at that range. Set up targets at the preferred range and prepare to shoot slow, well-aimed shots. Take your time squeezing the shots off and make them count. A shotgun's recoil gets very brutal after awhile.

After shooting at least three slugs downrange, take a look at the results. Do the slugs group well? If they group at least 2.5 inches at 50 yards and 3 inches at 75 yards, continue shooting that brand in a second group. Check those results out and then take a break. Do not be too concerned if the groups are not near the point of aim. It is more important that the groups are tight for now. Label the target and replace it with a new one. Be sure to mark the groups and note the brand of slug on the target. Take time to make a few notes about the recoil and any other observations.

Load the gun with a different brand of slugs and repeat the above actions. Try several brands of slugs and take note as to which brands shoot the best. Study the targets and the notes. Look to see which brand of slugs group the best and you are most comfortable shooting. Some slugs may group well but are a bear to shoot due to recoil. Brand No. 2 may group nearly the same but are much more pleasant to shoot. Having confidence and enjoying shooting the slugs will make a huge difference when you're in the field trying to harvest a deer. This is especially true on more difficult shots. Shooters who know what they are capable of with a specific shotgun and what to expect from the slug will be more successful in the field.

My personal slug gun is a 12 gauge, Remington 11-87 SP, with a Monte Carlo composite stock, cantilever scope mount fully rifled barrel toped with a 2x7 Leupold VX II Scope. The trigger has been worked to remove the creep and is set at 4 lbs. I shoot Remington Premier Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded Sabot Slugs. The projectile is a .385 grain bonded bullet. At 100 yards the bullet is traveling at an amazing 1648 fps and has 2325 ft-lbs of energy. The gun is zeroed at 150 yards. (TF)