Slug gun question?
 

I want to get a rifled cantilever barrel for my Remington 870 express 20 ga. and I found one for $200 on the cabela's website but it's 18 inches and I was wondering if that will effect the speed and accuracy alot? any other input on slug guns will help because im new to gun hunting for deer I am usually a bowhunter only.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

Howdy waterfowler, I am in just the opposite situation as you. I have been slug gun hunting for quite some time (whitetails mainly), and am now tryingbowhunting. Here is my opinion on slug guns. I have tried smooth bore shotguns and full bore slugs, a bolt action Mossbergrifle barreled gun, and now have an H & R Ultra slug hunter. The ultra slughunter is by far the best rifle I have used for these types of hunts. The last whitetail I took (on a "short range" hunt) was at an honest 150 yards, as per Leica 1200 rangefinder, and a good rest. I shoot the Winchester 12 gauge Platinums and they group great. I have not found a single pump or auto shotgun that combined with any replacement rifle barrel, shoots as well as my H & R Ultra slughunter. The good news is that you can get one of these complete rifles for just a little more than you are going to spend on that barrel upgrade, and you have a whole other rifle. I would recommend one thing though, consider the 20 guage over the 12 guage. The 12 guage is pretty stout to shoot, and unless you are hunting dinosaurs, the 20 gauge version will be plenty of rifle. Good Luck!

RE: Slug gun question?
 

To answer your original question, the 18.5" barrel is quite sufficient to get the full velocity and spin out of the sabot, so extra length will not help much with a cantilever and scope/red dot. If it has iron sights, extra length will help some with with the extra sight distance. 'Follower' has a good point in that the H&R is a great gun, and I have never used more than one shot anyway.

My 14yo son uses the 870 20ga with a deer barrel and bird barrel, and it works great for switching between deer and bird season while maintaining full familiarity with the gun. I do the same thing with a Benelli Nova with a bird barrel and cantilever slug barrel. That said, just today I was coveting an H&R Ultra Slughunter in thumbhole laminate on Gunbroker for $300....

12 ga.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=77331915
20 ga.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=77331869

These are great guns and much lighter to carry.
I have an H&R topper in 20ga that I used for pheasant hunting 28 years ago in college here in Iowa (paid $54.99 at KMart). It's still a fun shooter.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

Both of my slug guns have the shorter barrells on them. With a rifled barrell, don't worry about at thing. I have an 1100 and 1187.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000631365H30

20" Hastings barrelwith scope mount for $145.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

is this an reliable sight? how can they sell gor so much cheaper there?

RE: Slug gun question?
 

Hastings has been making aftermarket barrels for most shotguns since the late 80's. I have not heard of any problems with the Hastings barrels, or the Mossberg rifled barrels for the 870 either. My son has a Remington barrel because it came with the combo. I'm not sure that a true Remington barrel is worth the added $100.

Anyone out there using a Hastings?

RE: Slug gun question?
 

I have a Hastings cantilever for my Browning BPS. Had it for about 15 years and it still is a serious tack driving barrel....as far as slug guns go.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

I buy from Midsouth all the time, and save a lot because they list their prices so low. I think they sell so cheaply because they don't waste their money on advertising and such, like other companies that sell good things for discount prices. They also have a minimum purchase amount, $20, or you'll get an additional fee. Purchasing in larger quantities allows them to keep prices low as well.You'll have to register there, which will only take a few minutes to complete, and then you can start saving money:)

RE: Slug gun question?
 

I've had a hastings cantilever barrel for 10 years. Once I FINALLY took the time and shelled out the money to see what it liked....and took the time to REALLY get that sucker clean it'll shoot cloverleafs at 50yards all day long. If you consider a deer a 4" target that means it's a 300 yard gun.:D:D:D Nah, my point is that it's more than enough and that's about as good as I ever hear of non-fixed barrels doing.

I have a 870 in 12g

18" is no problem...actually may help with accuracy

You WILL need to buy sabot slugs to reap the benefits of a rifled barrel

You DON't need to pay the extra for 3" slugs...It's highway robbery as it is.

If you've still got good eyes and don't need the magnification look at a "reddot" scope instead of a normal scope. Bought one for my pistol and slapped here on my slug barrel for kicks...I just may buy another!!!! Low-light becomes a non issue and gun fit becomes a non issue. Find the little glowing red dot, when its in the right spot...pull the trigger! Eye doesn't have to be lined up at all.

I'd also suggest putting some swivel studs on your shotgun to attach a real sling to. Those "shotgun slings" are just a pain.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

Been using Hastings on 870SP for years, before cantilever barrels. Shot alot of diff. 12ga. slugs and it likes plain old Foster Winchester slugs.
But will shoot most slugs well.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

Jaw3, just curious what kind of actual range you get out of a Foster slug? Maybe where you hunt, range is not really a pertinent point. I have never found any of my shotguns that shot Foster slugs accurately at all. I would tend toward using OO buckshot over a Foster slug. Out here in Idaho, I hunt whitetails in November out in the sagebrush, and the shots often tend towards being greater than 100 yards, and neither buckshot or Foster slugs are up to this task speaking from my past experience. Am I incorrect in my views of Foster slugs??

RE: Slug gun question?
 

Follower,
Federal tru-balls keep me under 4" at 50 yards if I do my part (smoothbore). Wouldn't have a problem shooting a deer at 75 yards with them, maybe 100. Sight an inch high at 50, put you around an inch or two low at 100.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

Follower, I usually hunt from tree stands in the pines of NJ. Most shots are 50 yds or less. If I hunt areas near fields or "open" woods. I'll have sabot loads. The BRI's shoot well or Rem copper solids.
I agree Foster's ain't a long range load. Part of my point was not to over look Foster if looking for slug to use.
Reading your post "...H & R Ultra slug hunter..." has me looKing at a slug-rifle.
Regards.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

ya know i went with the longer barrel, because i thought it would be more accurate........its not. the only thing different is that it weighs about 3 lbs more, my gun weighs around 10lbs, and dont think your gonna be tough and deal with it, after the first 1/4 mile your gonna wish you have a trailer for the thing.

allin all id say go with the shorty.

RE: Slug gun question?
 

I have a NEF Deer Tracker II, the "little" brother to the Ultra Slug Hunter. It doesn't have the bull barrel and is much lighter but everything else is the same. It has Iron Sights which work just fine for me but i could have it tapped for a red dot sight or w/e. It has the short barrel and at 100 yards i have 3 inch groups with Iron Sights so don't worry about it being short. Also i love the Barnes Expander rounds made by Federal http://www.federalcartridge.com/ball...arm=5&s1=1

RE: Slug gun question?
 

i havethe 870 20 gauge with the same barrel and i took it to the range this past weekend and put 5 shots in a 2'' group. i havnt noticed any negative differences in the barrel compared to longer 870 barrels