12 guage slug range.
 

I used to live in illinois and do not any longer. You can hunt deer in illinois, but no rifles are allowed. Shotguns, bows and muzzle loaders are it. My pop might think about hunting with his pals for deer this year. What is the effective range of one of those rifled slugs? How accureate are they? EJ

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

It kind of depends on how high tech you go - out of a regular duck hunting shotgun, I would say 50 to 75 yards maximum range. With some of these new fully rifled barrels and rifle sights (or a low powered scope), these guns can hold 3" at 100 yards and have an effective range of 125 yards or more.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Agree totally with Roskoe, except with a bead I have a hard time going past 35-40 yards. At that distance the bead takes up the whole vitals.

Change out your sight to a rifle and put you a rifled choke in , and you up to a good 75 yards. But then you are almost to the place you could buy a new rilfed barrel.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Oh no this subject is coming up again? Sure to awaken JCChartboy and his encyclopedia of knowledge.

IN MY EXPERIENCE.........rifled slugs ( such as the most popular in the world - Remington Sluggers ) shot from smoothbore shotguns are generallly effective out to about 75 yards, where the groups open up enough to be considered (BY ME) the max range. Some folks with a particular gun may be able to be consistent out to 100 yards and others maybe 50 yards. To be practical, we have to remember that rifled slugs and smoothbores have killed deer pretty reliably in this state for many years. I would bet, that to this day, more deer have died in IL from rifled slugs than any thing else.

Now slugs (sabot or rifled) thru a rifled barrel is another story. Much more effective range. Out to 150 and a bit more in some kinda rare cases.

By the way, I determine "effective range" as the distance that I can put atleast, say 4 out of 5 on a paper plate. Maybe 3 out 5.

By the way, if your Pop is thinking of hunting in IL this year (2005) he'd better get the appliocations in. The DNR is now accepting applications for the second lottery, first lottery deadline is past. See the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website, check out the HUNTING section for all the necessary info.

Good luck.

Uncle Matt (in IL)

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Just an opinion, but do you believe thats ethical? I can't say I agree. I believe it should be more like 5 out of 5. You should know where your hitting before dropping that hammer.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

EJPaul,

As there are people on this board that chose to not to handle this discusion in a muture manner, I would simply suggest that you utilize the search feature at the top of this page.

Search the topics..Slug guns, Sabots,Rifled Slugs etc. This topic has been dicussed at great length. You will find pages of discussion on the topic.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Easily 100 yds with good sights.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Where's your sense of humor jcchart?:D

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

A 12 guage slug is going to have trouble killing a deer. If your state allows, I think you need a .243.

C. Davis

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Are you serious about your comment there Davis?

A 12 gauge slug will flat lay a deer on its arse.

There are a good number of slugs out there that essentially turn a shotgun into a 45-70. Such as...........................

Winchesters Partition Gold slugs. a 385 grain 45 caliber slug at 2000 fps. Or their platinum tip slug weighing 400 grains and having a muzzle velocity of 1700 fps.

Any of Federals Barnes slugs or hydra shock slugs.

Remingtons Premier core lokt ultra. 385 grain slug at 1900 fps.



Any of these above are certainly capeable of taking deer to 200 yards or more provided your shotgun and you can get them there accurately.

A couple of them, such as the Winchester 3" partition gold or Remingtons core lokt ultra, I would feel 100% confident hunting elk in the timber or even taking shots to 150 yards or so.

At 150 yards the Winchester would still have nearly 2000 foot pounds fo energy and the Remington load not too far behind.

To keep a +/- 3 inch trajectory you would sight it in three inches high at 100 yards which would put it back at zero at 160 yards and three inches low again at 185 yards.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

No, he can't be. Has to be a joke. Anyone that knows anything about anything knows better.

In the last 2 or three years, I have been on this slug gun kick and have killed over 12 deer with it. Only lost one, that I shot too far or something and hit it in the front leg.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Bigbulls,
Just trying to show a sense of humor. I am a blackpowder shooter and hunter. I know exactly how affective big slow bullets are.

C. Davis

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

I figured you must be joking around with the 243 comment but didn't see any smileys. Sometimes the humor just doesn't transfer through the computer screen. Sorry bout that.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

I have a remington 1100 with a hasting barrel full rifle I used when i live in michigan at that time it was B.R.I sabot slugs fed. owns them now I won a LOT of money with this gun at the range at 150 yards it would shot 2 inch groups 5 out of 5 times so people that say 75 yerds or less better try again . the longest shot that kill a 5 point buck was 168 yards. This gun was setup for deer hunting it was drill and taped for a 4 power scope and recoil supresser have over $800.00 include the gun it not cheap to get a slug gun to shot this way but it can be done. chuck

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

My Browning Abolt 12 ga. shoots a 5 shot 3" group at 200 yards with Federal 2 3/4" Barnes sabots.Sighted 1 1/2" high at 100 yards drop is 12" at 200 yards.This is from a solid bech rest with scope on 7x.What everyone has to realize when shooting this distance is that it's not the 12" drop you need to worry about, but the wind drift!!!With a steady 10mph cross wind you will have over a foot of drift!

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

DUDE! check out the Remington 870 rifled slug gun.
You can get this gun for under $300 easy. The barrel is fully rifled and I recommend SABOTS from a fully rifled barrel. Try different kinds, some sabots are like $12 for 5 rounds and I tried em all remington, federal, winchester, and the ones that just shoot the best out of my particular gun are the Breneke KO's and they are only like $5 for 5. I lucked out. Shot a doe at 50 yards here in MA with it opening day using the iron sights. Hit the heart and one lung. 30 yards and DOWN. The damage a slug or sabot can do at deep yardage is unbelievable. Easy to follow blood trails.

Sorry to ramble. Any questions about this gun or anything feel free to throw me a PM

Jim

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

I would consider the maximum ethical range for a rifled slug/smooth bore combination to be 50 yards. Fore sabot slugs/rifled barrels, I would consider the maximum ethical range to be 125 yards. Beyond that, there are no assurances that you will hit the vitals. Such shots are unethical.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

I think what makes a shot ethical or not is the hunter or shooter who is pulling the trigger.I know a few who are more than capable of shots over 125 yards with the right rig and conditions!PoorColledgeKid don't paint with that broad brush! 125 yards might be your ethical range,but the guns,sabots and shooters are around to best that yardage.I spend much time and money at the range to hone these skills, if the wind is right and the rest is steady My rig will deliver with enough energy for a quick humane kill beyond 125 yards! Again I don't advocate anyone to do more than their ability and practice would dictate;)

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

Well said DV that is the best advise I have read

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

it depends ej on the gun ur using if it is rifled barrel u can effectively reach distances of 150yds, but with a smooth bore ur limited to about 55 to 65 yds. in the terrain ull be hunting a rifled slug gun would be more appropriate depending on distances and cover ud be shooting in a good small rrange variable would be ample. i suggest a 1.5-4.5 32 mm shotgun scoope that basspro has for 80.00 it is also in realtree hardwoods so glare would not be a factor.combined with hornady sst 200grn slug that produces over 2,000 fps would be a deadly combo.glad i could bve of any service

zach

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.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

I agree with Roskoe and BC, I would use a scope if shooting out to 100 or 125yds with a rifled barrel.

RE: 12 guage slug range.
 

On the back of most shotgun slug boxes it has a chart on it with the distances and drop of the slug. It will drop 1 ft. at 100 yds. Most shots with shotguns are made up to 75 yds with accuracy. vangunsmith