Shotgun Slug Choices?

janesburg · 12-09-2005, 03:49 PM

I've hunted with a rifle basically my whole life. I now own a Remington 1100 with a rifled cantelever barrel. I put a Leupold 2x7x33 VXII scope on it. I did get2 deer with it this season. (I don't use it alot because I'm more confident with my rifle) I shoot Remington Copper Solid sabots, 2 3/4". When sighting in I get 5-7 inch groupings at 100 yards. Should I EXPECT better with that setup? Any comments on the slugs I've chosen? Could I get a better grouping? Or, am I expecting it to shoot to much like my 270? Which I get 1-2 inch groupings at 100 yards. I did run someBreinke slugs thru it and had great groupings at 50 but, lost it at 100.

OhioHunter222 · 12-09-2005, 03:56 PM

the copper solid sabots are great my dad shot a doe and hit both lungs perfectly at 70 yards away and dropped her in her tracks i heard bullets that are solid copper are more accurate and have more knockdown power

12-09-2005, 04:01 PM

Yea, thats not too good shooting with that setup. I shoot those slugs and get 2" groups at 100 yards with my browning gold, and 3" groups with my 870 express.

With groups like that, you might want to try some lightfields. Other things you might want to do is shoot, and let cool for 10 min or so. See if its heat related. I know my gold does not like the third shot. So I shoot 2 shots and let cool for 15 min or more and then 2 more.

With those groups I don't think the new fast sabots will help you much. But not sure of your twist.

I have tried the Coreloks and they shot ok but had strange flyers now and then. Others are the winchester sepreme partitions. You got the new buckhammers which kick like a mule. Which I put in the same category as lightfields.

I have seen a few times where nothing shot good in a hastings, but then we tried lightfields and bam, it was hitting 3MOA groups. I just don't like how the lightfields drop like a stone past 50 yards.

jimmy the foot · 12-09-2005, 08:00 PM

you should be getting better groups with your set up. try some different ammo. maybe go to a 3" if you can. then again it could be your squeeze, breathing or cheek to stock that is giving you those group sizes.

bigiron · 12-11-2005, 11:25 AM

i had the same problem so i switched to the federal premium barnes expanders and put a neoprene comb raising kit from cabelas now it holds about 2.5 inch groups

Fordfixer · 12-11-2005, 12:41 PM

I would suggest trying several different types of sabot slugs, with a cold barrel. Very important to let your barrel cool, especially with slug barrels. There isn't alot of metal for heat dispertion, and as metal heats it expands. If i shoot a 3 shot group one after another, first shot is good, second a little to the left, and third a little farther to the left. Barrel designs are all different and certain slugs just will not work in them. I have an Ithaca 37 dearslayer in 20 guage and it will not shoot copper solids for anything. They flip, turn and go thru the target sideways. Lightfields on the otherhand will put all 5 shots in the box they came out of at 100 yrds. The remington premier core locket seem to shoot pretty good as well, and seem to be amuch hotter load. More recoil and muzzle flash seen thru the scope. Haven't tried the new hornady SST slugs yet but can't wait to try them. Knowalot of people using them in their blackpowder guns and love them for accuracy and distance. Well have fun to me half the fun is just going out and shooting to fin d out whats best, and lately there are so many new things coming out it's hard to keep up.

djgj200 · 12-11-2005, 12:52 PM

My dad shoots 3" Copper Solids with his 11-87 SPS w/ Cantilever barrel and monte carlo (raised comb) synthetic stock. He is good to 150+ yds. with them. Out at that distance he holds at the spine to drop into chest. The reason for more knock-down power with copper solids is they have 100% weight retention.

I have an 870 Express Slug gun with 23" Cantilever barrel and monte carlo synthetic stock, but I shoot the Hornady SST's. They cost so much so I haven't shot enough of them to see how well they group, I shot enough that I know I will hit the deer. With the longer barrel and hornady SST's, I am good out to 200+ yds.

I would try the Copper Solids in 3" or the Hornady's (if you can find them, they are rare because everyone buys them up if they find them). I have also heard nothing but good things from people that shoot the Federal Barnes.