tatonka

I'm finding more and more landowners who are only allowing archery/shotgun/muzzleloader hunting around here (Montana). I'm considering a shotgun with a rifled barrel, but really don't know much about them, the best ammo, etc. Any suggestions? I'd like a shotgun where I can change barrels to use for upland birds as well.

hardcastonly

THIS SAVAGE IS AN EXCELLENT GUN
these bolt action shotguns have rifled bore designed to stabilize slugs
not shot pellets but if you want the best white tail gun, you specialize
YES THERES A LOWER RECOIL 20GA VERSION
https://savagearms.com/content?p=fir...ummary&s=57375
this is by far the most accurate slug gun I own,
many guys prefer the lighter recoil 20 ga version, I don't!
add a decent 30mm 2x7x scope and sight in 3" high at 100 yards and go hunt!

try several types of slugs each will group differently

Bocajnala

If you want a field/slug combo then go pick up a remington 870 or mossberg 500 and enjoy.

However, as hardcast said, for a dedicated slug gun it's hard to beat the savage 212/220 or if you can find an older mossberg 695. These guns will have rifle like performance out to 100 yards or so. And farther if you really want to work on it.

-Jake

tatonka

Thanks for the suggestions! I don't really need another shotgun for upland birds as I already have a couple. What do you all suggest for ammo for a slug gun?

hardcastonly

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com...-hunting.2722/
btw don.t bother using buckshot in a rifled barrel shotgun,

the rifling effectively throws the shot mass in a (DONUT)

and makes an all but useless patterns past about 25 yards in most cases

where the rifled barrels excel is in throwing a slug, designed to be encased in a shot cup or sabot accurately

at extended ranges, some bolt actions like the savage throw a useable 4"-too-6" 3 shot group out to in some cases 175 yard from my test results, remember the DROP and hold over needs to be compensated for at extended ranges, and a 3" high at 100 yards sight in seems to be a good compromise in my testing, impact never goes more than 3.5" above or below the point of aim out to 175 yards and its only 7" low at 200 yards sighted that way with my savage 212, make a ballistic chart, use 1520 vel, and a .162 ballistic drag

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Do...ctinfo/XMSLUG/

https://www.hornady.com/team-hornady...alculators/#!/



powders like BLUE DOT seem to work reasonably well, but do tests
use your reloading manual, try to use loads listed in several sources,
don't vary the listed components recommended ,primers, powder shot cups wads, crimps, buffers etc,
as both pressure and accuracy will vary, and mix & match combos, might be dangerous
if you do, use listed cases, wads, shot cups
generally high brass base cases have a minimal strength advantage

Bocajnala

This is where it'll start to hurt your wallet. The couple slug guns I've messed with were pretty picky. My Mossberg 695 will cloverleaf Remington accutips at 100 yards. But federal powershocks were nearly a 6" group.

The right thing to do is go buy multiple brands and shoot each one and figure out which your gun likes best. But at $15-$20 for 5 rounds, that gets expensive quickly. When you find one that shoots well I suggest stocking up. Slugs were nearly impossible to find over the past year plus. At least around Ohio.

-Jake

hardcastonly

thats one reason why I suggested handloading the lyman slugs you cast yourself and yes theres dozens of other options, available.

https://www.reloaders.com/collections/new-machines


https://www.ebay.com/p/2255489262?iid=224672820981

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13378793132...3ABFBM1NP2h-pf

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13400481494...4AAOSwyHhh79dV

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26555722348...wAAOSwDkBgqVzp

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26555722350...IAAOSwchtgwjiM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13400471817...oAAOSwe-xh76kq

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25521044638...EAAOSwuqphgvB5

you can also load two round balls in a 12 ga shell
and yeah that option works rather well in most rifled barrel shotguns out to at least 80 yards

Rob in VT

I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster in 12ga. I bought a Hastings rifled barrel for it and put a Leupold 2x7 scope on it. Shoots well out to about 125 yards. I was shooting Federals with Barnes slugs out of it. Haven’t hunted with it in several years.