[Andrew Wyatt]

i did some testing of my shortbarrelled (20 inch) H&R topper 20 gauge today with federal 2 3/4 inch number 3 buck, and brenneke rottweil 7/8 ounch slugs.


the buck pattern ran about 12 inches at fifteen yards, with all of the pellets on the sihlouette.

at 75 yards, the slugs grouped about four inches, which is surprisingly good,given the lack of a substantial rear sight.


here's the real kicker(pun intended): the slug recoil was noticeably milder than that of the buckshot. what's up with that? aren't slugs supposed to be horrible recoil monsters?

[Dave McCracken]

Slugs do kick, and I bet that the buck load you used was an oz, vs the 7/8 oz slug.Or, they're loaded hotter. More kick in the same shotgun comes from more weight or speed.

I've some of those slugs for the kid's 20 gauge YE, and find the kick emphatic but not too punishing. The Remington #3 buck loads are hard kickers, but I can;t recall if they are worse than the slugs.

Good shooting, BTW.