Basic Question Shooting Slugs/Barrels

[chrisb507]

I've shot bird and buckshot out of my 870 Express, but have never fired a slug. I'd like to do some target practice at a range that only allows slugs.

But, I don't understand the characteristics of the barrels well enough (I've searched here, too!). So I have a few basic questions I'm hoping ya'll can help with:

• Can I shoot slugs from a stock(smooth?) Express barrel?
• Anything I need to do with the choke tube?
• What are the advantages of slug barrel?

Thanks for any help!

 

[inSight-NEO]

I will confess, coming from the Benelli world, Im not exceptionally familiar with the 870's. However, generally speaking, I believe rifled slugs are best for smoothbores and Sabots for rifled barrels. No need to purchase a "slug barrel", as you put it, unless you are an avid hunter and need such specificity.

Basically, rifled barrels will allow for necessary "spin" when using rounds such as Sabot slugs (non-rifled). Smoothbores have no such rifling. Therefore, rifled slugs become necessary when seeking optimal performance out of such a barrel. Rifled slugs should provide good accuracy out to the 100 yard range...give or take. Smoothbores are ideal, to me, because they are much more forgiving in terms of ammo types. In terms of chokes...I wont even comment on that one.

 

[possum]

i have the 870 express hd model with the 18" barrel, i shoot slugs in mine, it has a smooth barrel, and i get great accuracy just using the beadsight with slugs, so far out to only 25yds but i do plan on going out farther later. they hit point of aim from 7-25yds no problems.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Can I shoot slugs from a stock(smooth?) Express barrel?

Sure, no problem. Use rifled slugs in smoothbore barrels, remember- rifled barrels need sabot slugs. Sounds backwards, but it isn't. I've had good luck with Brenneke KO slugs (not the sabot kind, the cheap ones) for several years now.

Anything I need to do with the choke tube?

I'd use an ImpCyl tube first, as that generally works better with rifled slugs. I've shot slugs through MOD tubes with OK results, but I'd hate to use a FULL or tighter shooting slugs. JMHO, YMMV

What are the advantages of slug barrel?

Usually they have sights or a scope base, which often helps for shooting at longer ranges. Some smoothbore slug barrels like on the older Ithacas had a touch tighter bores to better stabilize slugs. And some slug barrels are rifled, not smoothbore- those are for sabot slugs.

But there should be no problems shooting slugs through an ordinary 26- 28" Express barrel with a fairly open choke tube installed.

hth,

lpl

 

[monkyboy1975]

Slugs and smoothbores work fine, I have an 870 Express deer gun that came from the factory with a smooth bore and a rifled choke tube and an IC choke tube. It eats the standard rifled slugs just fine, but it really likes brennekes with the rifled tube. Have yet to try the Remington Buckhammers through the rifled tube though. But with a smoothbore don't waste your money on sabots.

 

[chrisb507]

Ahhh...much clearer. Thanks for the help guys.