20 ga slug/00 for deer?

[ID_shooting]

Since my rifle hunt was not fruitfull I am considering an alternate hunt out in the desert. It is short range only, meaning archery, muzzle loader or shot gun. The species is white tail and iether sex is fair game. I have a .45 muzzle loader but have yet to shoot it. I also have a 20 ga 870 upland gun. Is it feasable to load it with slugs or buckshot and take it deer hunting?

This is uncharted territory for me. I was wondering what you slug hunters use for ammo? brands, types? What ranges? I do plan on practicing a bit before I go out. What range should I set the jugs at?

 

[Kingcreek]

20g slugs work very well out to about 75 yards or a little more, depending on your sights and skill. You'll have to pattern a couple different brands of slugs because they can vary alot from one gun to another.
00-buck is OK but at much shorter ranges. I have not used 00 on deer but if I did, I would keep it to 25 yards or so.

 

[Starter52]

Buckshot is best for deer running through heavy cover; swamps, etc. Also, you can't get 00 buck in 20 gauge.

Kingcreek is right. Go with the slugs.

 

[dfaugh]

20g slugs work very well out to about 75 yards or a little more, depending on your sights and skill. You'll have to pattern a couple different brands of slugs because they can vary alot from one gun to another.

On the money. Used a 20 with slugs for years on deer. But, realistic range is, as mentioned, 75 yards or so (i usually wouldn't take a shot over 50). try a few different brands of slugs...I've always had good luck with Brenneke (in any gauge). Buckshot is strictly a (really)short range proposition.

 

[ID_shooting]

OK slugs it is, just wondering. since I don't see any rifles choke tubes for 20 ga from rem, what choke? Sabot or rifled slug? Cabela's has full rifled barrels for $150 or so, that may be too much for the budget right now.

 

[dfaugh]

Modified choke or less, for rifled slugs, in a NON-RIFLED barrel.

SABOTS ONLY for use in rifled barrels.

 

[sixgunner455]

Maybe just me, but I'd use a muzzleloader over a shotgun in Idaho. 150 yard range with a heavy bullet is 2x the range of the 20 with slugs. You're going to practice with whatever you use, so take them both to the range and see what you've got.

 

[Sunray]

Slugs yes. Buckshot no. Buckshot isn't reliable enough out of any guage. It's an especially poor choice for running deer. The patterns are generally too erratic and the energy of each pellet too low. You're far more likely to gut shoot a running deer with buckshot. And you won't know it. Hence, you'll have wounded a deer that will die a slow painful death.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Having BTDT, Buckshot in the 20ga will work, but like all shotguns with buckshot, it is a short range loading. I've had good luck with #4 buck to 25yds, and the #2buck are good to perhaps 30yds.

A Modified choke will give the best patterns, and it is neccessary to pattern them to see where your pattern strikes. Many shotguns don't neccessarily pattern where they are pointed and this is very important on deer with buckshot.

Like others said, the slug if accurate will be adequate to 75-100yds with proper shot placement. Again, it will be neccesary to shoot enough to find what is accurate and if adjustable sights are available, adjust them for a 75yd zero.

Most important will be having sufficient self discipline to not shoot beyond yours, and your firearms capability.

If accurate, you 20ga will have almost but not quite the range capability of your muzzle loader.

 

[redneck2]

FWIW....the 75 yard thing is true for Foster type slugs. If you get a rifled barrel, you can extend that considerably. I've got a 12 ga 870 rifled barrel with a 2x7 Leupold scope. With Remington Copper Solids I sight in at 125 and can hold tennis ball sized groups pretty easily.

Two years ago I hit a coyote at 140.

Just got some Hornady slugs yesterday. MV is 2,000fps, 300 grain. Sighted at 150, they only drop 6 1/2" at 200.

Not all shotguns are created equal when it comes to slugs. Huge difference between rifled barrel/sabots vs Fosters. HTH

as a thought....I see you're in Idaho. The rifled 12 gauge should be great for elk in timber. Considerably exceeds the performance of a factory loaded .45-70

 

[Shawnee]

Hi ID....

If you've decided to use the shotgun you've already gotten a ton of good advice and I would echo to use slugs and be absolutely certain you shoot some targets with them before you go.
Personally, I'm with "sixgunner" though, and would choose to use the muzzleloader long before choosing the shotgun, especially if your shotgun doesn't have a rifled barrel.
Good luck!!!

 

[1911 guy]

Go with slugs.

Buy several brands and see which your shotgun likes best. Buckshot is a woeful excuse for a deer load in most hunting situations. The only exceptions are areas where cover absolutely prohibits shots over about thirty yards or so. As mentioned before, the pellets lose velocity and energy too quickly for a reliable kill.

 

[mp510]

Get some Brenekee Magnum rifled slugs. From what I have heard, they have excellent expansion properties. But, I'll second getting several brands and expirimenting.

 

[22-rimfire]

Choice depends on the kind of shots that are more likely. I would use the 870 with slugs if you figure ranges under 75 yds. If it is likely that you will be seeing deer at longer ranges, I'd warm up the black powder (BP) rifle, do some shooting, and take it. But if the BP is not scoped, the likelihood of shooting at say 150 yds becomes less reasonable since you don't have a quick followup. Hence, I would go with the 870 or carry both. Both won't be a problem if you are just hunting from your chosen spot and waiting for and hoping a deer will wander within range. If you are stalking or still hunting, the added weight may be a problem.

 

[1911 guy]

Brenneke slugs.

My experience with them has not been one of good expansion. Granted, the deer shot with them died and did so relatively quickly, but the lead seems to be harder. That's the only reason I can come up with for the nearly non-existent expansion. I haven't used them in several years and Jimmy doesn't live in Ohio anymore, so i don't hunt with anyone who uses them now. They may be "new and improved" since then. Many things are.