[neviander]

For some reason I've gotten fascinated with slugs and what they're capable of, particularly the new Remington accu-tip bonded sabot slug http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/shotshell/slugs/accuTip_bonded_sabot_slug.asp. The video on what those things do to ballistic gelatin makes you go :what:

I realize that rifle rounds outdo slugs for distance, but it seems that within 200 yards or so, one of those fancy slugs stands toe to toe with most rifle rounds, and way outdoes any rifle round for sheer damage capacity.

So, for the money and with no bias toward shotguns or rifles, what's the skinny on the pros and cons of hunting (whitetails more than likely) with slugs?

Also, if I did take the slug route, I figured I would keep a smooth bore on it, for home defense/shot purposes, and buy a rifled barrel if I ever went on a hunting trip. Does that sound like a good plan?

[Regolith]

Slugs perform very well on deer sized game. The biggest con involved in hunting with slugs is inaccuracy and lack of range - they're only good for about 100-200 yards before their trajectory starts rainbowing and the groups start falling apart. The lack of range isn't a hindrance, however if you hunt in an area with dense vegetation, and while slug guns aren't very accurate they're accurate enough.

As for buying a slug barrel for hunting and a smooth bore for home defense....it is a good idea, however, you should realize that you need to use two different types of slugs. Rifled slugs should only be used in the smooth bore, and sabots should only be used in the rifled barrel. Sabots out of the rifled barrel will be more accurate and have a longer effective range than the rifled slugs. Rifled slugs are good to about 100-150 yards, sabots are good for out to 200.

[john917v]

But, sabots, while very neat, and effective, are typically very expensive compared to a foster-type slug. I've seen some polymer-tipped sabots that made me drool....

[Dave McCracken]

Where I hunt, 50 yards is a long shot. A smoothbore barrel with a rifled choke tube and proper slug selection gives me Minute Of Deer accuracy.

Dunno how many MD whitetails I've taken with rifled slugs.Well past 20. Typically, I insert a slug on a broadside shot in the crease behind the shoulder and recover the deer within 50 yards. Instant stops are rare. Blood trails are heavy and easy to follow at a fast walk.

Some experience with sabot slugs on herd control does in the early 90s showed good accuracy but longer blood trails. A rifled slug is full diameter, .729", and doesn't need expansion to be effective.

Instead of seeking a somewhat mythical 200 yard capable slug and setup, I suggest learning how to get closer. Taking deer at close range is an incredible rush.

[Matt-J2]

Just for the record, if you want this unbiased,don't compare shotgun slugs of any type to rifle FMJ. I dunno about everywhere, but here, FMJ isn't a legal hunting round for deer. Which is fine by me, it's a terrible hunting round anyway.

[Speedo66]

After watching that Remington video I wonder if there would be any useable meat left? :eek:

[Jeff F]

Instead of seeking a somewhat mythical 200 yard capable slug and setup, I suggest learning how to get closer. Taking deer at close range is an incredible rush.

I have taken a few deer with slugs, but by far the couple I have taken with handguns are the most memorable. The stalk and getting close, very exciting and challenging. I was actually a little sad when I pulled the trigger and it came to an end.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=46833&d=1161656129

[buck460XVR]

I have taken a few deer with slugs, but by far the couple I have taken with handguns are the most memorable. The stalk and getting close, very exciting and challenging. I was actually a little sad when I pulled the trigger and it came to an end.

+1. The look on a deers face as he's staring down the barrel @ 5 paces is always the same......"oh &*%$!"

[ImARugerFan]

Over 100 yards, use a rifle, under 100, use a slug. That's my rule.

[RyanM]

I realize that rifle rounds outdo slugs for distance, but it seems that within 200 yards or so, one of those fancy slugs stands toe to toe with most rifle rounds, and way outdoes any rifle round for sheer damage capacity.

Dunno. In my limited experience (some of it secondhand), the regular Foster slugs have "stopping power" about on par with .30-30. The fancy expensive sabots, I dunno.

[ImARugerFan]

There's a lot more energy in a 1oz slug than a .30-.30.

[SFvet]

2 3/4 slug has as much energy as a typical .308 at muzzle. The 3" Magnum slugs are in a hole nother class at 3010ft/lbs!

[RyanM]

If you can sneak up close enough to a deer to shoot it from 0 feet away, you'd be just fine with 20 ft-lbs from a spear.

For those of us in the real world, a 1 ounce Foster slug retains 1744 ft-lbs at 50 yards, and 1260 at 100 yards.

By 75 yards or so, you've basically got a .30-30 with way more recoil and way less accuracy, with Foster slugs.

Sabots and Brennekes are obviously much better, though.