Slug gun info

[Gatorjaw]

Need some help deciding on a slug gun and/or a barrel for my 870 express. I am new to rifled slug barrels and your input would be appriciated. $500 or less is what I would like to spend. I'm not sure which way to go. Just get a barrel? $150-$250.Buy a new H&R single shot? I was quoted $250 out the door.What about the bolt guns? I can purchase a new 870 special purpose with cantaliver rifled barrel, raised cheek all black for $369.95 before tax. And some of the information I've read says to get the faster rate (28 to 1) for shooting the new sabots which I think I like. I'm don't like a lot of recoil so I will probably use 2 3/4 slugs if they group well. I'm sorry to throw so much at you but any info or personal experiance is appreciated. Thanks!

[Dave McCracken]

I do OK with a 20" rifled sighted barrel converted to a peep sight and a rifle choke tube. With slug of choice, groups run under 5" ETE at 100 yards.

Typical shot for me is under 35 yards. I hunt thick cover.

No slug gun is a long range tool. If you need to knock them off at 200 yards, get an '06.

Sabots and a fully rifled barrel are more accurate, but is it needed? The fast twist barrels do seem the way to go with the new sabots. The bolt guns rival rifles(Heck they are large bore rifles) but again, what is needed?

I like the fact that my deer gun makes a dandy HD gun after the season with a Skeet, IC, or Mod tube in place.

Hope I helped, sing out if I missed anything...

[Wags]

If your in need of another shottie go ahead and purchase a quality slug gun. I added a Remington cantilever super slug barrel to my older 870 earlier this year. Found it on ebay for under $180 shipped. You have lots of options when it comes to slug guns. But if you'd like to save a few bucks and maybe add a quality scope, buy an extra 870 barrel instead. Hope this helps.

[Gatorjaw]

Thanks for the info Dave and Wags. I've been bowhunting only since 1993 except for 3 deer I killed with my .270 but I'm want to hunt a management area near my house. I don't really like recoil and with the older style slugs I think the recoil is going to be more. I sited in my dads Mossberg 500 smooth bore a few years ago and that thing was brutal. I was hoping the new sabots would have a lot less recoil. Someone said the older style slugs weighed around 450 gr. and the newer sabots weighed around 300 gr. and kicked a lot less and shot awesome groups. Is this true? I understand the heavier the bullet the harder the recoil but I have limited personal experience dealing with these types of slug shooting guns. Also, which gun handles best in the woods? Anybody shoot a bolt gun? I will be still hunting from a tree stand. I'm sorry to ask so much but I want all the info I can get before I make my choice. I just found this website yesterday and signed on. It is awesome. Come on slug shooters, talk to me. Tell me what you shoot and if you like it!

[enfield]

I'd like to ask a related question - do you like a ported slug barrel or plain? I've noticed that Mossberg has a ported barrel on their 500 slug gun.

[Dave McCracken]

Ported barrels are LOUD! And, they produce little to no recoil reduction, though they do cut muzzle climb a bit.

The only bolt gun I ever had was a Mossberg, it sufficed.

Slugs do kick some. Read the Slugs 101 and Heavy Loads 101 threads in the archives for some input.