[cslinger]

I am reasonably firearm savvy and like to think I know a reasonable amount about the history and use of firearms.

I was asked by a neighbor why would somebody use a shotgun slug?

Well to hunt certain larger animals with was my answer.

But wouldn't most hunters have a rifle for that kiind of work was the reply.

Well I can see a use for certain defensive applications. But to be honest other than building in a certain amount of extra utility I really don't know.

So does anybody really know what specific reasons shotgun slugs came into being?

Chris

[SDC]

You could have specified "hunting large game animals AT CLOSER RANGES"; slugs give you this ability without having to worry about the deep safety area/backdrop concern that even a mid-power rifle requires.

[Rupestris]

Many areas where deer are hunted are designated "Shot Gun Only". Use of a centerfire rifle in these areas is illegal.
Rupe

[Soap]

Since Northern Indiana has the contour of a billiard table, we are forced to use slugs for deer hunting.

[cslinger]

So a slug will simply be lethal at much smaller distances if over penetration occurs then a rifle round. That makes sense.

I mentioned hunting deer with a shotgun but I never new there were areas that were shotgun only.

Thanks
Chris

[Double Naught Spy]

I don't know what the original intent was beyond the function, but one of the definite benefits of shotgun slugs is that they can make a single firearm much more versatile, especially in hunting sorts of activities. With shot, you can hunt all varieties of birds depending on the shot size. Move up to slugs and boar and deer become targets that can be hunted quite well with the shotgun.

Wouldn't most hunters have rifles for that? Not necessarily and even if they did, so what? The issue isn't about 'most hunters' necessarily and just because there may be a majority that does something does not mean the product isn't justified.

Keep in mind that slugs versus shot in shotguns have a long history with the early smoothbore guns that were often loaded with slugs or shot depending on the materials available or the need of the shooter. This preceeds rifled rifles and in a since many of the early smooth bore rifles were not that different in application from shotguns. With time and specialization of tasks and manufacturing, there became a distinct break between shotguns and rifles. Shotguns firing slugs simply hold onto the early gun versatility.

If your friend was alive during the Great Depression in rural America, he would have a much better understanding of the versatility and need for shotguns to shoot shot or slugs.

[Al Thompson]

Well, max range is much less as well. Rainbow trajectory and poor BC for the Foster/Brenekke type slugs. The sabot slugs "probably" have longer range, though I don't know by how
much.

I imagine the use of slugs continued to let folks use one gun for all of their needs. The occasional deer hunter could use his 12 ga for deer with just a switch in ammo.

I tend to like slugs very much for close range shots. If I'm stalking/hunting in thick cover, nothing anchors game like a 1 oz .70 caliber bullet. I do have rifles for the same mission, just really appreciate the ergonomics and quick second shot of a good shotgun.

[Dave McCracken]

The Raison d'Etre of slugs is simple. They're for killing stuff better than shot will do.

For deer, the most common medium game in North America, slugs at reasonable woods hunting distances give a fast and humane death when inserted properly.

For more dangerous game, they transfer an awesome amount of energy within milliseconds.

Besides shotgun only areas, the slug capability means one can sally forth with one firearm and be equipped for everything from squirrels to bison.

[9x19mm]

In countries where rifle-barreled firearms are *completely* forbidden for hunting purposes, shotguns are the only way to go.

Stay Safe ;)

[Oleg Volk]

Slugs are for defeating cover or thick hide. Even 00 buck doesn't penetrate much, and #3 is next to useless on anything behind cover.

[El Tejon]

Dan, well, not entirely. We really need to do some predation hunting!:D

cs, most likely a natural evolution from militree musketry to modern sport hunting. Ever seen a Brown Bess load?--yep, that's a "deer slug."

[Soap]

El Tejon- Hopefully right before planing season I'll get to get some varmint hunting in. I can't think of a better way to learn my 700P.

[Mike Irwin]

A slug is really just the logical outgrowth of the musket ball.

It allowed hunters the versatility of hunting larger game with the same gun that they could use for hunting birds.

It wasn't uncommon for hunters in Europe, or probably even in the US, to hunt with double-barreled guns, one barrel loaded with a slug or slug & buckshot load, the other loaded with bird shot.

That right there, and the fact that in Europe many bird and larger game hunting seasons overlap considerably, was what likely gave rise to the combo guns.