Rifled slugs thru an old Stevens 258A 20 ga. bolt action?

[Jim NE]

Don't know much about shotguns.

This old Stevens 258A is a 20 ga. from the 1950's, is in good shape and I want to find out if I can shoot rifled slugs through it. (I've read that sabot slugs are only for rifled shotgun barrels...is that true?)

DON'T KNOW WHAT CHOKE IT IS, and I know that improved cylinder is the best for slugs, but I've also heard that rifled slugs can be fired through any choke, including full. On the other hand, someone told me in an old gun like this, it would be best to NOT shoot slugs through it if it's full choke.

What do you guys think? And how do I determine what choke it has? Thanks.

 

[Dave McCracken]

It'll be fine. Use rifled slugs and Brenekkes, not sabots.

 

[Old Shooter]

Usually older shotguns will have a series of "dots" peened into the barrel to indicate the choke. If you can find them (if they are there) I'm sure someone on this board can tell you the amount of choke indicated. You might even be able to google it on the web and find out what they mean. I used to know them but since they went to these new-fangled screw in choke tubes I figure why wast brain cells trying to remember something like that.

 

[springfield30-06]

Yep, as Dave McCracken has stated, rifled slugs and Brenneke slugs will be fine. Don't use the sabots. You should be able to shoot it through a full choke no problem.

This is on the Brenneke website:

The ribs, contrary to popular opinion, are not designed to act like rifling in a rifle barrel, but compress to allow the slug to easily pass through a choked shotgun barrel.

 

[rcmodel]

The Foster type rifled slug was invented in 1931.

More of them had been shot through truly old full choke guns then you could shake a stick at before your 1950's gun was even made.

rc

 

[Jim NE]

Thanks guys. I feel confident that the slugs will work fine. I presumed they would at first, but today someone told me maybe not, so I thought I'd double check.

Old Shooter, I''ll check on the peens and see what I can find.

 

[RMc]

A rifled slug is nothing but a nose heavy soft lead thimble. There is no solid cross section of lead to engage a choked muzzle.

 

[Bud Tugly]

I've fired lots of slugs out of a 20 gauge Mossberg bolt action that was made in the 1930's. I think it's a modified choke (a lot of the older 20's were) and it's pretty accurate.