RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Thats BS, PoorCollege may be a kid but he's not stupid. Hunting is one sport where I see more people over extend themselfs than any other. They brag and can't produce. I have seen it that way many more times than not. Some of them really believe and then when they miss, they blame branches, the animal moving or whatever.

I have taken too many people to the range who have made bold claims and for them to come up short. I havn't been wrong about a person once. Some have actually believed thier claims from doing bench shooting, and then I put them in field position, all the sudden its choke time.

PoorCol is right on target.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

BC,are you right about me?I think I qualified my reply and I wonder if you hunt or even shoot a rifled slug gun with any regularity?I would think not if you don't think a saboted slug is capable of a consitant quick kill at ranges of over 125 yards.At 150 yards that Barnes saboted slug still has 1450 lbs of energy more than enough for a deer,at 200 yards it has 1197lbs of energy.Now again I don't advocate anyone doing more than they or their equipment is capable of,but I assure you it can be done ethically.I prefer a 40 yard shot over a long range proposition.Also I stated idea conditions (standing unspooked animal,no cross wind,a sturdy solid rest).I guess it would be unethical to shoot at a deer with a 30-30 at over 125 yards,after all it only packs 1358 lbs of energy at 100 yards and 950 lbs at 200 yards.I don't want a flame war here but lets call it the way it is the rifled slug gun and a good shooting sabot in that particular gun is NOT unethical,it is the shooter that doesn't know his or her limitations that factors into what is or isn't ethical.PS. As an off hand shot I aint the best,so I limit my self.What in one situation might make me very comfortable with a 150 yard shot,another situation may dictate I pass on a 50 or 75 yard shot.That is what I beleive is ethical,knowing in your mine with certanty your can make a good killing shot and passing on the shot when you have the slightest doubt you can't!And also having a realistic grasp on what your abilities REALLY are.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Really doesn't matter to me what you think about my shooting dvd. From reading your post, I just can't talk to you anymore. A person like you just never could grasp it.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Now I guess others can see for themselves why I sidestepped this post when it began...

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

George, I think you're arguing from the wrong perspective. I don't dispute that a slug still has the energy to put down a deer beyond the yardages I had stated. My point is that one, under most situations, cannot put a slug where it needs to be, consistently! Sabot slugs and rifled barrels are certainly better in this regard, but one important aspect of being an ethical hunter is knowing the capabilities and limitations of the weapon you are using.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

PCK...

Your fault in his argument is that you are generalizing accuracy here. You can not compare the "average" slug gun, to todays dedicated rifled slug guns at all. The average slug gun is not produced with the necessary tolerances to hold a consistent POI.

However with todays dedicated slug guns holding POI is not a problem. It simply becomes a factor of testing the guns MOA with specific sabots. With most dedicated slug guns the limiting factor inside of 150yds is going to be the shooter.

PS.. When I say dedicated I am talking, H&R ultra, Mossberg 695, Savage 210, Browning A-bolt etc..

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

PoorColledgeKid,I think I stated pretty clearly my feelings on what is ethical and not.I agree that if you can't consistently shoot at a given range that is your limitation.If you look at the picture in my previous post I think you should agree a 5 shot 3" group at 200 yards shows that there are slug guns capable of accuracy at longer ranges than 125 yards.I don't advocate 200 yard shots,but the guns and loads are avalible if you have the skill to use them.I'm sure there are many here that have rifles that shoot 3" groups at 200 yards but because it has the stereo type " it's a rifle" it's o.k. Again, Ethics lies with in each hunter If I can only shoot to 40 yards consistently then that should be my limit,everyone again has the responsibility to know there limitations as well as their firearm.But let's not put the 125 yard limitation on the firearm but each individual and his or her ability.Pictue below of 200+ lbs whitetail taken at a ranged 192 yards with Marlin 512 and Winchester partion gold saboted slug.you may say it's a fluke but this is this gentlemans 3rd kill in these fields of over 160 yards .He knows his weapon and his limitations as well as his, so is him killing 3 deer at these ranges unethical or is 3 for 3 just luck!

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

My Remington 1100 with fully rifled barrel, and cantilever scope mount will shoot 4" 5 shot groups at 200 yards using 3/4oz barnes expander slugs. I always utilize a range finder when shotgun hunting, And I would be comfortable with taking a 200 yard shot, if the conditions are right. My longest shot with this setup was a ranged 165 yards. One shot, right behind the shoulder on a 150 pound doe. She took all of four slow steps and dropped. Sabot slugs out of a fully rifled barrel are truly amazing, compared to slugs 10 years ago.


Back to the original question. Foster (rifled) slugs in a smooth bore can be accurate. If the right choke and sight is used. If it is just a bird gun with a beed front sight, more than likely it will be 40 yards max. At that distance the bead starts to cover up the entire vitals area. If your dad is shooting a Remington 870, or mossberg 500, he could probably find a barrel with a smooth bore and rifle sights pretty cheap. And that will increase his range. So will putting on a scope. A buddy of mine uses a 870 with smooth bore and rifle sights, and has taken lots of deer. He keeps his shots under 75 yards. Good luck.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

See the look at that face- he looks like he sat on those antlers. lol BTW please everyone only pull the trigger when you are sure that you'll kill the animal(no matter what kind) with that first round. If you aren't 100% sure, then think about how you'd feel if someone shot you, shattering your scapula and then chased you for 2 hours before finishing you off(I'm serious, think about it).

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

I have a smoothbore 870 Express. I never shot it long range, but I intend to play on the range this year. At 50 yards, with rifled slugs, I shoot cloverleaf groups from a bench. I'm going to push it this year and see how far out I can continue to get good groups.