slugs for Ithaca

dian · 11-26-2004, 07:38 AM

Hi, New member but have followed this forum for years.
I own an Ithaca 37 feather light shotgun 20g. Received as a gift many many years ago and never used. I am having trouble finding which slugs work best with this gun. My brother and I went to shoot it in and we decided on 50 yrds cause that would be the max shot where I hunt. We used rifled slugs Federal classic, winchester superX,and Brenneke Rottweil. All of these shoot all over the place. We could not get two anywhere near each other. Any help or advice anyone can offer??? Would be much appreciated

slugman · 11-26-2004, 08:36 AM

Have the same gun in 12ga , but dont use for deer. Keep trying different brands and if you dont have a scope on it , get one. Most states require scopes if your using slugs.

dian · 11-26-2004, 08:56 AM

Thanks slugman. I do have a scope on it. Guess finding the right slug continues.

longrifle1000 · 11-26-2004, 09:53 AM

Do you have a smooth bore, or rifled? If it is rifled, you need to use sabot slugs. If it is smooth, not sure what the problem would be.

slugman · 11-26-2004, 10:06 AM

longrifle is correct ...smooth bore = rifled/foster slugs .....rifled barrel = sabots

dian · 11-26-2004, 10:44 AM

Thanks guys. It is a smooth bore hence the rifled slugs I have been trying. Will give the foster a go. Sure which this shotgun was not such a picky eater

Strut&Rut · 11-27-2004, 09:46 AM

Had a smoothbore 12 for years, many friends own one also...they love the Federals. Also seemed to like the Brenneke.

My one friend's father, however, had a 20 gauge which only liked the Remingtons and Winchester.

If you can't get it to pattern, perhaps you may want to take it to a gunsmith and have him check your barrel.

I would also recommend sighting-in at 25 yards until you get <2" groups, then move it back to your max hunting distance. Slug guns should never be sighted in with slugs travelling less than 1500fps, and 20ga. slugs are close to that at 25 yards.

biggunz.45-70 · 11-28-2004, 04:39 PM

This may sound stupid, but have you checked your scope mounts? What kind of groups are you after? Four inches at fifty yards isn't that bad for a smooth bore. Is a featherlite a bird gun? I have an ithaca deerslayer with a smooth bore and I only expect 3-4 inch groups at fifty yards.

turkeyhunter_15 · 11-29-2004, 01:09 AM

I Shoot Lightfield Clean Kill On The Spot So Far Nice Grouping At 100 Yards. And I Shoot Then In Same Gun As You Are. I Love It.

dian · 11-30-2004, 05:26 PM

Thanks everyone for your responses.
Biggunz Not stupid at all. I found that the screws that hold the mounts to the dovetails was loose. Actually one fell totally out. Went out today and took a doe with this gun.
Thanks again