Slug Shotgun Question

Submitted by Josh on 8/21/04 at 1:48 PM. ( ) 209.98.3.203

I Recently bought a Benelli Nova shotgun and i was wondering if i shot a slug out of a smooth bore would it do any damage? Please tell my how it would and /or if there would be any other things i would have to worry about. If you have any information please place some feedback, thank you.

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Slugs

This response submitted by Tony Finazzo on 8/21/04 at 1:53 PM. ( ) 198.81.26.44

Rifled slugs are made to shoot in shotguns. I would not however use them in a full choke gun. They work best in an open bore.
Tony


Make sure you buy "Foster Type" slugs

This response submitted by George on 8/21/04 at 3:27 PM. ( georoof@aol.com ) 64.12.116.134

This is the Remington Slugger or Super XX Winchester slugs. Brenneke also makes some Foster slugs. In other words, if you can buy a 5 pack for about $3 or less, that's your slug. The new rifled slugs such as the Remington Solid Copper and the Lightfields will run you $8 to $10 for the same 5 pack. They are specifically designed for rifled slug barrels and give the performance of a rifle out to 125 yards. The Foster slugs are nothing more than pumpkinballs and as Tony adviced, should never be used in a full choke barrel for fear of splitting the barrel choke. You would be much better advised to limit your shots to under 50 yards. The best alternative is to see if Bennelli sells a rifled slug barrel for your gun or use your muzzleloader during the shotgun seasons.


Unless you plan on using a scope...

This response submitted by marty on 8/21/04 at 5:08 PM. ( ) 24.15.104.42

...I wouldn't waste any money on a rifled barrel. The added accuracy of the rifled barrel is offset by the fact that beyond 50 yards your bead/site on the end of your gun will take up the whole deer!

I used the Brenneke rifled slugs before I got a better slug gun set up. If I were you, I'd buy a box of each of the different brands (including the cheaper ones) and try shooting them and see which groups the tightest. Sometimes the cheapest ones will shoot the straightest. And every gun is different. So the only way to tell which is best is to practice with each. Read the directions on each to determine which choke to use. I believe I used a full choke with the Brenneke's, but don't quote me on that.

Btw, George - don't you mean "Sabot slugs with the rifled barrel"? The Brenneke's are a rifled slug and are suppose to be used in a smooth bore. And the sabot's go in a rifled barrel. So in otherwords, it's one or the other, not both. Correct?


Yes, you're right Marty

This response submitted by George on 8/21/04 at 6:06 PM. ( ) 64.12.116.134

But they have some pretty inventive stuff in the R&D lines right now that "may" eventually work as well or better than the sabots.


I am confused

This response submitted by Josh on 8/21/04 at 10:19 PM. ( ) 209.98.170.42

I dont know to use sabots or not? i am not going to buy teh benelli barrel, it runs about 500$. what would be ur guys opinions on what slug and choke tube to use.


you will be fine

This response submitted by tom on 8/22/04 at 2:51 AM. ( ) 207.19.167.251

I live in ohio we are restricted to shotguns only. I have shot slugs out of many different setups. You can shhot slugs out of a full choke gun and not hurt anything. your barrel isnt going to bulge and split. the slugs are made smaller than the actual bore of your gun anyway, they might not shoot great but you can do it . My suggestion is to buy foster style slugs from different manufactures and see what shoots best. I have always got good accurecy from winchester in my gun. Yours may be different. Don't waste your money on saboted slugs they will not shoot worth a damn in your smoothbore they are made for a fully rifled barrel Another option is to buy a rifled choke tube. a friend of mine has one and it shoots great with sabots. Cost him around $100.00 alot cheaper than a rifled barrel.


Just use the right choke...

This response submitted by ... on 8/22/04 at 6:58 AM. ( ) 66.66.1.216

..When you bought the gun, it probably came with an assortment of chokes. Pick the right one. Use shot or slug.


Josh...

This response submitted by marty on 8/22/04 at 10:28 AM. ( ) 24.15.104.42

You still haven't answered my question. Are you planning on using a scope or not? If you are NOT planning on using a scope then most of these points are moot. You will be good to about 40 or 50 yards with rifled sites. Your ammunition will not matter at this point as you will not be able to hold the site still enough on the deer. And, the bead at the end of your gun will be taking up the whole deer.

That being the case, I agree with George - buy the cheapest slugs you can buy.

You do NOT want the sabots in your NON-rifled barrel.

At 50 yards or less, it ain't gonna matter if you're high or low by 2 inches. So I wouldn't even bother with expensive choke tubes. The deer is gonna drop with a 2" grouping.

Oh, one more thing. I WOULD however invest in some rifled sites that clamp onto your vented rib. If you're thinking of simply using the end bead (Upland bead) w/o a reference point closer to the butt (rifled sites), then you can probably drop your range down even less than 40 yards. I beleieve "Williamson" or something like that makes the rifled sites for most guns (that clamp on w/o drilling) and they're under $50 bucks...


ok

This response submitted by JOSH on 8/25/04 at 12:23 AM. ( ) 209.98.170.227

i am not going to change the sights
and should i use f,m,or ic? all i am looking for is a shot under 30 yards


oh....

This response submitted by josh on 8/25/04 at 12:24 AM. ( ) 209.98.170.227

j/w do they make 3 n 1/2 inch slugs that would be awesome?


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