My Dad is looking at a break open Rossi slug gun. His .338 mag is getting a bit much for him and he really likes this Rossi. Anyone have any info GOOD AND BAD? The gun he wants is on sale for about $165 single shot-12 ga. Rifled barrel.

Please help if you can....I mightget the .338!! LOL!

I honestly haven't met anyone that has one, or read anything about them. I would go with the H&R Ultra in a 20 ga if that is what he is looking for. I'm not a big fan of Rossi to be honest. However I have never owned either, just looked at them in the stores.

I have never shot a .338, but keep in mind a modern 12 slug lays down quite a bit of felt recoil, especially in a lighter rifle. If centerfires are legal where he hunts I can think of numerous cartridges that would be awesome for deer and would have much less recoil. The .243, 7mm-08 and 25-06 being my top three pics. And I would be you could get a Rossi in one of those if that is really what he has his heart set on. The H&R/NEF Handi rifles also come in all those calibers. Or he could get a budget bolt gun for around $300.

If he really wants a slug gun though I would look hard at the 20 ga Ultra by H&R.

Paul

His .338 is NOT ported and NO muzzle break. It is a Browning Stainless Stalker A bolt. He likes the small size of the Rossi they have on sale locally....and to be honest where we hunt 100 yard shots are odd. average is 30-50 MAYBE 75 yards.

I also suggested the H & R Ultra Slugger.

He doesn't like to loose deer hence the .338....LOL!

See if they have a 20 ga., that light single shot with a 12 ga. slug won't feel any better than the 338, maybe worse. I got a Rossi single shot rifle for my son last year. I was surprised at the quality especially considering it cost so little. The wood is nice and it shoots well. Not the prettiest thing you ever saw, but it puts a hole where you want one, so...

My experience with the NEF 12 Gauge Slug Gun, i'd rather shoot a .338. It kicks like a mule and then some. Get the H&R Ultra Slug Hunter in 20 Gauge, they are tack drivers. I'm telling you he's not going to be happy with the Rossi as far as recoil goes. They also make very nice single shot rifles. Friend has a .243, i've shot it and absolutely love it.

I wouldn't even bother with a slug gun if you can shoot a rifle. Just get a milder recoiling rifle instead. A .243 is plenty for deer, you don't get more dead than dead, especially at the ranges you are talking about. There is simply no comparison to the effectiveness of a centerfire with the proper bullet and a 12 ga slug. He will pay waay more for ammo, probably have close to the same recoil and be taking a few steps backwards in technology. Just doesn't make sense to me, at all.

A .243 or 7mm-08 will have very little recoil, be cheaper to shoot, most likely be more accurate, will give you better performance and more range. I know most of your shots are close, but what if a really nice deer walks out at 150 or 200 yards. That is going to be an iffy shot with a slug gun, I wouldn't even attempt it. With a rifle you won't even have to think about it or compensate for drop. Just put the cross hairs on the deer and squeeze.

I would personally take a 44 mag lever gun over a slug gun to be honest.

Unless he want the challenge of slug hunting, then I say go for it. I don't think he will be happy with the recoil though. My H&R ultra with the heavy barrel, scope and other stuff weighed in at around 12 lbs, and it still thumped me pretty good with 400 grn platinums at around 1700 fps. I don't even want to talk about what the 600 grn gold magnums felt like. You try shooting one of those two rounds out of a light rossi and it won't feel pleasant I assure you of that.

Paul

I bought a 12 ga. Rossi Slug gun about 3 years ago and am tickled to death with it. I put a 2x7 scope on it and can easily shoot a 3" group at 100 yards using the Lightfield sabot slugs. I had to buy a slug gun to hunt in a local residential hunt and also for an out of state hunt. I only paid $200 plus tax for this gun (plus scope and sling), so it's a great value for the money. I my opinion, there is nothing better for the money.

This past Friday, we had a special doe season in a nearby county. I shot a doe at about 70 to 80 yards with this gun.

It does have a good bit of recoil when shooting from a bench rest but I didn't notice it at all shooting at the doe! You may want to consider the 20 gauge if recoil is a problem. Personally I'm happy with the 12 gauge.

Jack