12 gauge Slug Range

Dobber1978 · 08-24-2007, 09:28 AM

How far out could you take down a deer with a rifled barrel slug gun? Assuming my aim was ok

In the process of buying a new gun, my first gun,

I see that some manufactures sell shot guns with 2 barrels, rifled and non rifled for birds,

Last year when deer hunting our longest shot was probably just over the 100 yard range with the closest being under 30,

THanks
Jeff

stalkingbear · 08-24-2007, 10:29 AM

With the newer sabot type slugs-it all depends on accuracy of setup and your ability to acchive that accuracy level with skill. After EXTENSIVE shooting at various ranges that you might actually shoot,you will be able to determine max range. These modern slugs will have more than enough energy to cleanly harvest a deer as long as you can hit it properly. With the older forester type "rifled" slugs,stay within 100-125 yards.

sjsfire · 08-24-2007, 03:46 PM

I've taken deer out as far as 125 and 137 yards with my 1187 with cantilever rifled barrel with the old foster slugs. I'm going to pick up some Lightfield sabots to shoot this year. Not because the fosters don't do a good job or I want to increase my range. I'm just tired of cleaning all the lead out of my gun with the fosters.

Gundigest · 08-24-2007, 04:00 PM

I sighted my SBE II in with 3/4oz Federal barnes expanders. I set it up 3" high at 100 yards and shot a 1 1/2" group at 100 yards and 6" at 200 yards. 200 yards is the furthest I would shoot if I know the range.

Follower · 08-24-2007, 09:58 PM

Two years ago I killed a real nice 16" whitetail buck at 150 absolutely honest, Leica ranged yards. The bullet passed completely through. This is with my 12 gauge H & R Ultra slughunter and Winchester Platinum tips. These shoot extremely well through my gun. They carry plenty of energy past this point, but do start to drop pretty quickly. I personally would probably not take a shot much further out than this. The Winchester Partition golds did not shoot anywhere near this accurately through my rifle, and being that they leave the muzzle a couple of hundred fps faster, they definately put more into your shoulder.

ChazyKEJ · 08-25-2007, 04:15 PM

Dobber,

100 yds should be a piece of cake for a rifled barrel shotgun with a scope. I've taken deerout to130 yds though Itry to keep it to 100 or less. I regularly use a smoothbore out to 100 yds with a scope.

Just realize that a rifled barrel excels when topped with a scope. Shooting at 75 yds or less with open sights is a lot more cost effective with a smooth barrel. If you're looking at a combowith 2barrels, I'd definitely go for it.

KEJ

SJAdventures · 08-25-2007, 07:41 PM

Back in Indiana I was deer hunting with a Mossberg 835, rifled slug barrel, Win. 3" mag Sabots, Simmons Pro Diamond recticle 4x32 scope. I shot a doe holding dead zero at 135 and dropped her on the spot. That is the farthest I ever tried a shot soeffectiveness could be farther than 135.

coloradoprohunter · 08-26-2007, 03:12 PM

farthest i woudl shoot a foster out of a smoothbore is 125yds. but w/ my canteliver and sabots i would shoot out to 200. if ur a good shoot and using the right loads w/ a good sabot and scope then u can definitely shoot out to 200.

Rebel Hog · 08-26-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dobber1978

How far out could you take down a deer with a rifled barrel slug gun?

Remember, 200 yds is 2 football fields long and 150 yds is a football field and a 1/2 long.

I try to stay 150yds with Sabots and 100 yds with Foster type slugs, but have killed game at longer distances with both....Rather be sure at 150 & 100!

Adirondack Hunter · 08-26-2007, 08:37 PM

at 200yds im shootin 5in groups, not perfect by any means, but itll take a deer down no problem, providing you hit it in the kill zone, which is much larger than 5in.