In preparation for my first ever deer hunt this year, I bought a Remington 870 Express combo package (26" vent-rib and 20" rifled barrels). Although I've used shotguns before (sporting clays, a few range shots, and one shot at a turkey this past season which I loved and prompted the purchase of this gun), I still consider myself a novice shooter. This being the case, I don't believe I'll take a shot at a deer much past 50-60 yards.

I plan on visiting the range this weekend to sight in the rifled barrel and get lots of practice. To do this, I bought 6 boxes of Remington's Premier Copper Solid sabot slugs (12 gauge, 2 3/4, 1 oz.). Ouch! Expensive stuff! An article I just read however, indicates traditional Foster-type slugs are reliable out to about 50 to 75 yards. The article also said shooting an old-fashioned Foster lead slug through a rifled barrel will result in much more accuracy than with a smoothbore.

Considering my novice skill level (not to mention iron sights), am I wasting money using sabots at relatively close range? Who knows, maybe I'll gain enough confidence at the range to shoot accurately at 100 yards but I doubt that in only one or two visits to the range.

If cheaper Foster-type slugs are the way to go at short range in my rifled barrel, could someome explain what a Foster-slug is? Maybe even recommend a brand? Isn't the Remington Slugger a rifled slug that should only be used in a smoothbore barrel? The cost of these was much more appealing than the sabots.

I really do appreciate your response. Thanks!