H&R Slug Gun vs. Marlin 512 Slugmaster
05-22-2008, 01:13 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 123
H&R Slug Gun vs. Marlin 512 Slugmaster
I'm thinking about getting a slug gun & I've pretty much narrowed it down to 2: the H&R Slug Gun & a Marlin 512 Slugmaster. Which do you think is the better gun?
05-22-2008, 01:43 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Warren County NJ USA
Posts: 3,899
RE: H&R Slug Gun vs. Marlin 512 Slugmaster
I purchased a H&R Ultra Deluxe in 20ga.last year, I topped it off with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40, using Hornady SST.....Man this shotgun is a true track driver, I love it
05-22-2008, 05:44 PM
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Morgan County, IL
Posts: 1,073
RE: H&R Slug Gun vs. Marlin 512 Slugmaster
My best friend has a USH 12ga. Now, he's done a huge amount of work/testing with it, and he's a great shot, but after seeing what that thing will do with a deer slug, You'll forget you ever asked this question.
...I'm putting one on order as soon as I get the time to do so...
...I'm putting one on order as soon as I get the time to do so...
05-22-2008, 05:57 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Warren County NJ USA
Posts: 3,899
RE: H&R Slug Gun vs. Marlin 512 Slugmaster
with the way the new slugs shoot, all you need is a 20ga.. Don't get me wrong I do have a few 12ga., one only for turkey and one for deer that would be a Remington 11-87 SPS. But after shooting and seeing what a modern 20ga. can do, there is no reason not to use it
03-01-2012, 06:27 AM
#7
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 2
I happen to own both an H&R UltraSlug and a Marlin 512. Both of these are good guns but from an accuracy perspective, I would go with the H&R UltraSlug every time. I inherited the Marlin some time ago when my uncle passed away so I am keeping it for sentimental reasons.
The H&R seems to prefer slower sabot slugs like the 2 3/4" Federal Barnes Expander, or the 2 3/4" Lightfield EXP slugs, and the Remington 2 3/4" Copper Solid sabot slugs. The key is to try all three to determine which groups best and then sight your gun and scope with the best grouping slug of the three.
Put good glass on your H&R and you won't regret picking it over any other. These guns are the most accurate slug guns I've ever seen and I have owned seven different designated slug guns in my life. I bought a used Tar-Hunt from a hunting buddy about a year ago (he lost his job of 23 years and was unable to find a job for over two years). While the Tar-Hunt is very accurate, it is no better than the H&R UltraSlug . . . just more expensive. I honestly feel that the H&R UltraSlug is the single most underpriced slug gun on the market today. The trick is to find which sabot slug it prefers and put good glass on it . . . something like the Nikon Slughunter scope (which was designed and made for slug guns). You won't be sorry!
I would also recommend the 12ga. over the 20ga. It will give more flexibility to all around use (deer, bear, Elk, Moose) and you never know when opportunity will knock. I used my 12 Ga. UltraSlug to take a 365 lb. bear in New Brunswick two years ago and am planning to try it on an upcoming moose hunt in 2012.
The H&R seems to prefer slower sabot slugs like the 2 3/4" Federal Barnes Expander, or the 2 3/4" Lightfield EXP slugs, and the Remington 2 3/4" Copper Solid sabot slugs. The key is to try all three to determine which groups best and then sight your gun and scope with the best grouping slug of the three.
Put good glass on your H&R and you won't regret picking it over any other. These guns are the most accurate slug guns I've ever seen and I have owned seven different designated slug guns in my life. I bought a used Tar-Hunt from a hunting buddy about a year ago (he lost his job of 23 years and was unable to find a job for over two years). While the Tar-Hunt is very accurate, it is no better than the H&R UltraSlug . . . just more expensive. I honestly feel that the H&R UltraSlug is the single most underpriced slug gun on the market today. The trick is to find which sabot slug it prefers and put good glass on it . . . something like the Nikon Slughunter scope (which was designed and made for slug guns). You won't be sorry!
I would also recommend the 12ga. over the 20ga. It will give more flexibility to all around use (deer, bear, Elk, Moose) and you never know when opportunity will knock. I used my 12 Ga. UltraSlug to take a 365 lb. bear in New Brunswick two years ago and am planning to try it on an upcoming moose hunt in 2012.
Last edited by Catbird; 03-01-2012 at 06:33 AM.
03-08-2012, 04:49 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,445
I can't speak for all 512s out there, but mine will shoot Brenneke KO SABOTS (not the standard KO Slug) into a ragged hole at 50 yds. These are 1 oz 63 caliber (20 Ga) slugs moving at about 1650 fps. Winchester BRI style sabots are very good as well. I tried some Hornady H2K sabots and they were all over the place. So I'd say that the 512 is best for sabots in the mid velocity range, as opposed to those approaching 1900-2000 fps.
The gun itself is not going to win any beauty contest. It is bulky, and carries more like a 2x4 than a rifle. But it is a repeater, and for that reason, plus the accuracy (of mine at least), I'd favor it over the H&R. I've shot a bunch of deer with my 512 and I have needed a quick second shot a couple of times. I'd have lost at least one deer if I was shooting a single shot.
The gun itself is not going to win any beauty contest. It is bulky, and carries more like a 2x4 than a rifle. But it is a repeater, and for that reason, plus the accuracy (of mine at least), I'd favor it over the H&R. I've shot a bunch of deer with my 512 and I have needed a quick second shot a couple of times. I'd have lost at least one deer if I was shooting a single shot.
03-09-2012, 12:09 PM
#9
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location:
Posts: 69
I'd vote for the H&R, however, I've never shot the 512. I had a bolt action Mossberg 695 slug gun. It had ejection issues. I looked @ the 512 and read a little on the web about ejection issues as well. The H&R 20 or 12 is a no brainer, cheaper as well. I have the 20 with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 on mine. Let me tell you it shoots wonderfully. I use Remington Accu-Tips in mine. I'd recommend the Leupold glass as it's outstandingly clear and will absolutely stand the test of time. Always get out your extra pennies for good glass.
