[Motodeficient]

Take it easy on me, this may be a dumb question, but I am new to shotguns.I bought my first pump shotgun a couple months ago, a 12g Maverick 88. From what I have read you can run rifled slugs through the stock smooth-bore barrel, correct? But not sabot-type? Was out shooting with a friend this weekend and he said you couldn't run slugs through a smooth-bore shotgun.

[AcceptableUserName]

you can do both, however the rifled slug is the only one youll get any kind of accuracy from.

[Motodeficient]

Thats what I thought. I was honestly kind of shocked when he said that because he is really knowledgeable about firearms (or so I thought).

This brings another question to my mind though, if you can shoot rifled slugs out of a smooth-bore shotgun, what is the point of a "slug gun"? Or does that refer more to the type of sights that are installed and the barrel length.

[oneounceload]

A rifled slug barrel is for use with the sabot-type slugs. It imparts a spin on the sabot while traveling down the barrel.

[Motodeficient]

And I take it that is much more effective than the projectile itself being rifle (obvious I guess!)

[figment]

boxotruth has an interesting article that covers your question.

[Vicious-Peanut]

And I take it that is much more effective than the projectile itself being rifle (obvious I guess!)

They are more accurate, but a rifled slug doesn't actually spin despite what the name says. The 'grooves' for lack of a better term, simply 'slug' up the barrel removing any gaps. the slugs flys straight simply due to being front heavy, like a birdie.

[Motodeficient]

ahhh I see. That makes sense. Thanks!

[19-3Ben]

They are more accurate, but a rifled slug doesn't actually spin despite what the name says. The 'grooves' for lack of a better term, simply 'slug' up the barrel removing any gaps.

I was under the impression that the 'grooves' were actually there so that they can slightly compress if being shot through a smoothbore with a slight choke.
Am I incorrect?

Either way, rifled slugs are meant for smooth bore, and sabot slugs are meant for a rifled bore. You are correct and your friend is incorrect. So no worries, your shotgun is perfectly fine.

[Vicious-Peanut]

I was under the impression that the 'grooves' were actually there so that they can slightly compress if being shot through a smoothbore with a slight choke.

Maybe so, but either way they don't impart spin on the slug.

[ReloaderFred]

There are no hard and fast rules concerning this issue, just general recommendations.

I've fired rifled slugs through my rifled Model 870 and gotten pretty fair accuracy, and I've fired sabot slugs through my Model 870 with 20" smooth bore and gotten really good accuracy. I was able to consistantly hit clay birds placed on the impact berm at 40 yards with the sabot slugs from the smooth bore barrel, which is equipped with rifle sights, shooting offhand. I consider that good performance for that combination.

Hope this helps.

Fred