Slugs In Non-Rifled Barrel

[spazzy]

Did some shooting today with my 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster using cheap rifled slugs. I've never shot slugs at targets before and I was amazed at the accuracy even with just a front bead. I will be using this deer hunting next week as the piece of land I am hunting is kinda brushy and my farthest shots will be 50-60 yards. I was very stoked on slinging thumb sized pieces of lead!

Pretty good grouping for me at 40 yards offhand, the flyers are either my fault or trying to figure out where to hold the bead. I also apologize in advance for the crappy phone photos, it was getting dark by the time I got around to taking photos.

 

[rcmodel]

Good shooting!

And that's what Forster rifled slugs were invented for in 1931.

Pretty amazing isn't it!

rc

 

[jmr40]

That is very good for just a bead. I used some slugs 40+ years ago when I first started hunting and before I owned a rifle. I've not hunted with slugs in a very long time, but have played with them some at the range. I have a 20" non-rifled slug barrel with iron sights on it for my 870. I don't think I can do any better even with a front and rear sight.

 

[spazzy]

I forgot to mention I shot some interactive targets too, milk jugs/2 L filled with water.

I had a blast today...

 

[Schwing]

hickock45 does some great youtube videos about slugs. He displays some pretty impressive accuracy at 100 yards plus. Personally, I can't hit the broad side of a barn with a bead. Nice shooting!

 

[MagnunJoe]

Please define "cheap rifle slugs" I can't find anything for under $.90 cents per round.

 

[LT.Diver]

I shot my two most recent deer with a smooth bore 12 gauge and some inexspensive Foster slugs. They go where you point 'em, and leave a pretty big immpression

 

[spazzy]

Federal is having a rebate on many of their products. I picked up a few boxes of 5 slugs on sale for 3.98 and then the $2 off rebate per box, so in essence I paid 1.98/5 slugs.

 

[200Apples]

.
Tossing slugs downrange through a bead-sight, cylinder-bore 18.5" barrel on an 870 is just awesome fun. I too was very pleasantly surprised at the inherent accuracy I found in the combo. Just have to hold slightly higher or lower depending on which slugs are being used, from 1600 fps Win SuperX to 1300 and 1150 fps Fiocchi LE loads. I like to have my .45ACP on my hip while doing so. LOL.

 

[lemaymiami]

Using beat up old rack grade weapons (basic 18-20" barreled riot configured standard police issue shotguns -both Mossberg and Remington) I found that you could usually hit a 10" paper pie plate almost every time at 50meters with just a standard bead sight and Remington or Winchester rifled slugs (cheap ammo, 2 3/4", forster type slugs -basic police issue) with just a bit of training. If an officer could handle the weapon properly and wasn't put off by the recoil and noise you could turn out a very competent street shooter with either buck or slugs using just basic weapons....

The best part about training cops with slugs is that they learned to aim... and hit. Once that was learned and they were shown just how effective a simple slug was up against light barricades (like car doors or interior walls next to thin or not so thin doors...) you could produce a very confident shooter. All of this was long before the "tactical" upgrades that came available later on....

 

[illinoisburt]

The only issue with using a bead for slugs is while hunting you may not get your head in teh same position on the stock and end up shooting way high or way low, especially when people are excited and trying to see their target over the barrel. Using a rear sight of some kind greatly improves repeatable accuracy.

 

[Deep Fried]

I love big ol slugs. You did well.

 

[RMc]

The only issue with using a bead for slugs is while hunting you may not get your head in teh same position on the stock and end up shooting way high or way low, especially when people are excited and trying to see their target over the barrel. Using a rear sight of some kind greatly improves repeatable accuracy.

The "ball on a flat" ( o ) sight picture with common vent rib field barrels gives an excellent "index of elevation" and "windage."

 

[bangswitch]

The only issue with using a bead for slugs is while hunting you may not get your head in teh same position........ Using a rear sight of some kind greatly improves repeatable accuracy.

That's what the ramp down the barrel is for.

 

[illinoisburt]

Don't disagree with using a bead -- it works. Have seen a lot of guys shoot over deer because their head wasn't down on the stock to get the right sight picture. A cheap snap on rear two dot turkey sight makes a heap of improvement because guys are forced to get the dots and bead lined up. For under $15 its easy add-on.

 

[illinoisburt]

Anyway spazzy good luck! Hope you get a good one.