Mama mia, shot too many slugs today!

[Run&Shoot]

No not the slow, slimy kind of slugs.

I was sighting in a new Rem 870 with a variety of slugs today. Wow! After about 30 rounds from the BENCH my poor cheek felt like Rocky Balboa in the 14th round. A few slugs freehand is nothing compared to dozens of rounds from the bench.

But, man, .70 caliber holes are BIG and easy to see at 50 yards. These big daddies do not need any expansion in 10% gelatin test! I am very impressed. I have sent a lot of shot downrange, but these slugs are powerful. I understand why many Alaskans and Canadians recommend 12 ga. slugs for Grizzly. Within 50 yds these bad boys would be devasting.

I only had access to 50 and 100 yard lines, and I only shot at the 50 figuring that was far enough. The best were the cheapest Remington Slugger 1 oz loads. I had to hold just slightly high, maybe a couple of inches. They also were the mildnest, if you can compare one whack in the face by a mule milder than another.

The Winchester Suoper-X 1 oz shot 6-8 inches lower and kicked a tad more. Then the Brenneke 1 3/8 oz rounds really walloped me yet they also shot about the same 6 - 8 inches low.

I am glad the Remingtons were the most accurate. I was able to hit the bull twice and groups were only about 2-3 inches at 50 yds. I have alot of confidence in these and would not hesitate to engage game or treats at least out to 50 yds. perhaps further. The 870 with a smooth bore, 18 1/2 inch cylinder barrel is capable of suprising accuracy with simple old slugs.

Someday when I feel like dancing with the mule again I'll sight it at the 100 yd line. I have better appreciation for the "manly men" then use slugs for deer hunting. I almost feel inadequate with my puny .30-06 that only throws about 1/3 of an ounce.

 

[mjolnir]

Those 1 3/8 oz. slugs are only 600 grains or so, you know, .500 Nitro Express territory!

Of course, they're not stepping out as fast, but then again, they're .72 caliber.

 

[ArkansasFatboy]

I uusally have bruises for a couple of weeks after sighting my slug gun
You also ought to try out a 3 1/2 turkey load they are real fun to shoot

 

[Dave McCracken]

Benchtesting slugs takes committment, attitude and preparation. Good anti inflammatories and painkillers help. Here's a couple things that will take that mule down to a pony.....

First, repeating shotguns of modern make have lots of things to add on. Add some on. A side saddle with 4 rounds adds about a lb of weight. A couple oz of metal in the stock hole helps. Shot or even a few rolls of pennies will cut the kick a bit IF the metal's secured and not allowed to move around. Think about an impact hammer.

Second, if one pad is a good idea, two are better. A good pad on the butt of the gun and a wearable pad like the PAST or the Browning job does a lot to mitigate the kick.

My slug shooters run 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 lbs. What kick?

Load selection can make a big difference. Those 1 3/8 oz alugs are great if they open up Mastodon season again, but they won't kill medium game any quicker than one of the oz slugs.

Good form helps. Lean into the shot,make sure there's no play 'tween the shoulder and butt. Use the trigger hand to pull the stock well into the shoulder cup and get that cheek welded to the comb.

All that will do a lot more good than a gimmicked high tech stock with springs.....

 

[WolfMansDad]

I feel your pain.

Ever try federal tru-ball? Last time I patterned those, I got all three in the same hole at 50 yards (tight cloverleaf). They gave decent groups at 100 yards as well. Not rifle groups, but good enough to hunt with.

Smooth cylindar bore is fine out to 70 yards or so. You really only need a rifle for long distance shots. I figure if I can't get within 70 yards of an animal, I need to work on my sneaking, not my shooting.

 

[12GA00buck]

I carry my mossberg stuffed with slugs, when ever I go hikeing. Then again I live in SE Alaska and there are quite a few bears. Slugs do hurt to shoot, but not as bad as an angry bear.

 

[Run&Shoot]

Thanks for the ideas to tame the recoil, Dave. I should have thought to load the mag tube with more rounds to give it moire weight. that would have added close to half a pound along the barrel. Instead, I just loaded the two or three I planned to shoot at a time.

I am definitell going to look into the PAST pad. It would probably be a good thing to have for sighting in rifles and more shotgunning in the future. This is a whole different world than field and target loads.

The butt stock seems to be hollow plastic, so I will try to get the recoil pad off and see what might be added inside for weight (a lead keel from a sailing yacht perhaps?). If I could get a pound of shot or pennies in there then that would better balance it and should help with the sharpness of the recoil. I'ld like to do add some sort of weight that would be easy to remove for carrying in the field, and add back in when at the range.

Any idea what type of screwdriver is needed for the butt pad removal? I can't see the screw heads as the holes in the rubber butt pad are very small.

And you are right about saving the 1 3/8 oz slugs for mastodons! Perhaps 12GA00BUCK can use them in Alaska, but here in Oregon I think the Remington Slugger 1 ounce loads are more than sufficient.

My next session with the 870 will be after I qualify at our club's action range where I can shoot 00 buck. I want to pattern it out of this particular 870, and then try to shorter distance targets with both the buckshot and slugs. At least then I will be standing and can have better position on the stock and use my body to absorb some of the recoil. Shooting from the bench is no fun with heavy loads.

MJOLNIR, I am almost glad my 870 only takes 3" loads! Even if it could take them I think I would pass on the 3.5 inch loads. I am looking forward to shooting some nice 2 3/4" target loads of #8. I would rather shoot a 100 rounds of target loads than 3 of the slugs!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Most of those screws are Phillips head. Try the smallest one you have and lube up the shaft a little to keep wear at a minimum.

I wouldn't add a lb to the butt. Split it up and keep as much as you can close to the balance point. Side saddles are good for this, and I'm not the only old 3 gunner that put one on more for the weight than the ammo.

The PAST pad here took the pain out of firing a 58 caliber Enfield Musketoon, about a 7 lb rifle with a brass butt and a 625 gr projectile.

I have a few of those 1 3/8 oz Brenekkes around here someplace. Anyone that wants them can stop by and I'll dig them out.....

 

[Run&Shoot]

Thanks, Dave, great advice. I appreciate your help. Philips head, lube the shafts, side saddle, and PAST is now on the to do list.

Is the four shell Side Saddle installable without modifications? Is it just replacing a couple of pins with screws?

 

[JShirley]

Back in...2000, I think, I put about 70 rounds of full-power 12 GA loads through several shotguns: Mossberg 500, Model 12, Benelli Super 90. I also fired some of the ridiculous Aguila short rounds.

All of the shotgun stocks were too long for me, especially the Benelli. I found later that I must have been resting the buttstock on my bicep- because it swelled up like Popeye!
---
Byron fired the first two slugs from my GR Mossy 500. He put those two Remington 3" slugs into one big hole at 25 meters, offhand.

Getting a shorter stock for my 500 helped. I also use reduced recoil slugs, since they work fine at the distances and for the purposes I use slugs- personal defense at close to intermediate distance, and prowling through the woods for deer. When I go to Alaska, I plan on loading up with Brennekes.

John

 

[hqmhqm]

I put the Knoxx comp stock on my 870 and it made a huge difference. Before, shooting slugs was like getting punched in the shoulder. With the spring loaded stock, it is no problem at all. I shot 25 slugs just for fun, and 25 loads of 00 buckshot. I highly recommend it, I wouldn't consider shooting slugs from a stock 870 now at all.

 

[Hawk]

Should you find yourself in the DFW metroplex, ring me up and I'll arrange for some quality time with a .416 Rigby.

Subsequently, the slugs won't seem at all that bad.

 

[Dave McCracken]

R&S, installing a Side Saddle is quite simple, which is why I can do it. Pop out the TG pins, insert two bolts, place the S/S on the bolt ends and tighten. 10 minutes at most.

HTH....

 

[bowfin]

A slug gun really needs a different stock on it other than a standard shotgun stock.

My brother made one with a higher comb and beefier around the wrist. He finished up with a nice Pachmyr pad. I was able to waste 53 rounds of various slugs through the shotgun trying to get the mount and scope to stay put, and I never noticed recoil.

I wish I had a stock like that on my Mossberg and Remington to test out my turkey loads.

 

[roo_ster]

Hawk not only speaks truth, but is a sneaky b@$t@rd.

His .416 is a Ruger single shot, about the lightest .416 you can get.

 

[Run&Shoot]

I like that approach, Hawk. Shoot THIS and then you won't mind the 12 ga slugs! Pain is relaitve I guess.

The recoil on my shoulder didntt bother me so much as having to crouch over the stock with my cheekbone mostly on top of the comb rather than beside it. When it recoiled the top of the comb would just bang into my cheekbone. I tried different positions at the bench, but the only way I could get my eye alinged with the bead was to have my cheekbone hovering over the comb waiting for Mr Goodness to come knocking.

I would like to try to .416 Rigby though! Just don't know when I'll be in DFW.. Maybe San Antonio to see family next summer...Thanks for the "perspective".