skynyrd1911
Member
Who out there owns scoped shotguns for deer hunting? How do Ya'll compare the rifled choke tube to the fully rifled barrel? I mainly hunt in zones for slug only or pistols.
Scoped shotgun
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hossdaniels
Member
Rifled choke tubes are universally poor. Rifled barrels are capable of good accuracy. Most will shoot around 2-2.5" at 100 yds, with some being even better. Low power scopes and red dots are good choices for shotguns.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Go with a rifled barrel with a cantilever scope base attached, and good sabot slugs. I have a Mossberg 500 with a rifled barrel with cantilever scope base, which keeps the scope aligned with the barrel even when the barrel is removed. This gun is quite accurate, capable of 3" groups at 100 yards. Last year I took a nice 6-point buck at 140 yards with a single shot.
Try the various slugs available. My 500 loved Remington's first version of the copper sabots, grouping them regularly inside two inches. They redesigned them, and now they won't do better than 5 inches in my gun. Switched to Federal Premiums, and groups went back to three inches; not as good as the original Remington copper solids, but "good enough."
Try the various slugs available. My 500 loved Remington's first version of the copper sabots, grouping them regularly inside two inches. They redesigned them, and now they won't do better than 5 inches in my gun. Switched to Federal Premiums, and groups went back to three inches; not as good as the original Remington copper solids, but "good enough."
Sergeant Sabre
Member
Had a 2-7x Nikon scope on my 500 with an 18.5" cylinder-bore barrel. It would put Winchester Super X rifled slugs in a roughly 6" group off the bench. I took a big doe at 80yds with it.
I took a few shots with Federal's then-brand-new Tru-ball load. I didn't do the shooting I would need to for a good evaluation, but it appears that it may group around 3-4" at 100yds from a smoothbore.
Brenneke K.O. slugs grouped the worst, at around 6" at 50yds. The Brenneke slug is built more for toughness and penetration at close range than to squeeze every bit of consistency out of a smoothbore.
I like my smoothbore quite a bit, really. First, because I don't have to spend $150 for a new barrel. Second, because the little 18.5" barrel really makes the Mossberg light and handy. Third, I like the fact that my ammo is only $1 per shot, vs. $5 per shot. That said, the catilevered and rifled barrel is clearly a superior slug-thrower.
I took a few shots with Federal's then-brand-new Tru-ball load. I didn't do the shooting I would need to for a good evaluation, but it appears that it may group around 3-4" at 100yds from a smoothbore.
Brenneke K.O. slugs grouped the worst, at around 6" at 50yds. The Brenneke slug is built more for toughness and penetration at close range than to squeeze every bit of consistency out of a smoothbore.
I like my smoothbore quite a bit, really. First, because I don't have to spend $150 for a new barrel. Second, because the little 18.5" barrel really makes the Mossberg light and handy. Third, I like the fact that my ammo is only $1 per shot, vs. $5 per shot. That said, the catilevered and rifled barrel is clearly a superior slug-thrower.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Sergeant Sabre has it right. The question is, how accurate is enough? I also have an 18.5" smoothbore barrel. It'll do eight inches at 100 yards with open sights (or at least did, last time I checked) with Remington Sluggers. That would be good enough for a woods gun, and the shorter barrel really is handy. Comes down to what you need / want.
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ObeOne
Member
I agree with Legionnaire. Get a cantilever mount with a rifled barrel. I have a 500 set up that way myself.
Also remember though that you won't get much range with slugs, maybe 125 yds with everything set up right, so like others have said, what is good enough.
Obe One
Also remember though that you won't get much range with slugs, maybe 125 yds with everything set up right, so like others have said, what is good enough.
Obe One
scout26
Member
Like Legionnarie and ObeOne, I also have a 500 with a rifled barrel and cantilevered scope mount. I'm good for 3" groups at 100yds and 4.5"-5" groups at 125 yds. My barrel prefers Winchester's Platnium slugs.
Get the barrel, buy a bunch of different Sabots and head to the range and determine which flavor your shotgun prefers.
Seems to work pretty good for me.........
Get the barrel, buy a bunch of different Sabots and head to the range and determine which flavor your shotgun prefers.
Seems to work pretty good for me.........
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frank c
Member
I agree with the above posts,get the cantilever fully rifled barrel.I have a browning gold deer hunter with a cantilever,fully rifled barrel with a burris signature 1.5X6x scope.I shoot the 2 3/4 hornady sst 300 sabot slugs.
redneck2
Member
I have an 870, fully rifled barrel. Scope is a 1.5x6 B&L. I can hold tennis ball sized groups off a good bench at 125 yards with the old 3" copper solids. Shot a coyote 2 years ago at 140 yards during deer season. There are some situations where the 6x comes in handy. If you're trying to thread a shot thru the woods, you can see small trees and brush. Also, you can check deer across an open field to judge what's there.
Rifled barrels are way ahead of smoothbores for accuracy. IF you find the right combo, they approach rifle standards. There are new slugs that have 1,900 fps m.v. With 385 grain slugs, they're about identical to a real hot 45-70 and come very close to a .458 WM
In some cases, I suspect "accuracy" has a lot more to do with crappy shotgun triggers and brutal recoil than inherent firearm accuracy.
Rifled barrels are way ahead of smoothbores for accuracy. IF you find the right combo, they approach rifle standards. There are new slugs that have 1,900 fps m.v. With 385 grain slugs, they're about identical to a real hot 45-70 and come very close to a .458 WM
In some cases, I suspect "accuracy" has a lot more to do with crappy shotgun triggers and brutal recoil than inherent firearm accuracy.
deerslayer79
Member
I have your answer.
12ga H+r ultra slug hunter,3x9 bushnell trophy or any scope you want,and get some slugs to find which ones your guns like,mine loves lightfields or the old remmy copper solids,and your ready to go.those guns once you get the right slug combo are the deadliest guns out on the market,you won't have to worry about the fact it is a single shot.
12ga H+r ultra slug hunter,3x9 bushnell trophy or any scope you want,and get some slugs to find which ones your guns like,mine loves lightfields or the old remmy copper solids,and your ready to go.those guns once you get the right slug combo are the deadliest guns out on the market,you won't have to worry about the fact it is a single shot.
skynyrd1911
Member
Thanks for the responses guys. I must now elaborate on my situation. I'm now shooting a Winchester Model 1300. 22" smooth bore with a factory sabot choke. The receiver is drilled and tapped from factory for scope mount. I have located a factory Winchester 22" fully rifled barrel with rifle sights for $217 including shipping. I have also located one of the single shot guns as mentioned above for around $250 plus tax. I'm just not sure which way to go. If I can locate a cantilever rifled barrel (which I haven't been able to do yet), I could still use the gun with original WinChoke barrel for other game. 
I'm currently using the Winchester Partition Gold 385 gr & Winchester Platinum Tip 400 gr sabots.
I'm currently using the Winchester Partition Gold 385 gr & Winchester Platinum Tip 400 gr sabots.Sergeant Sabre
Member
If I were in your situation I'd go with the H&R Ultra Slugger. That, just for the convenience of not having to re-sight-in all the time, which is what you'd have to do without a cantiliver barrel.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
If you're planning on a long-term investment, I'd look at the Mossberg 500 or the Remington 870. Either is a great platform for multi-barrel systems. I have three barrels for my 500: 24" rifled barrel with cantilevered scope mount, 28" vent rib with removable chokes, and 18.5" smoothbore with rifle sights. Advantage is that I can swap barrels and not lose "zero" on any of them (guess you don't really "zero" a shot barrel).
They made cantilevered barrels for the 1300, but I don't think they are making them any more, and they are likely to be expensive if you can find one. Here's one, though ...
http://www.wescooutfitters.com/showproduct.aspx?productid=8776&affiliateid=10050
They made cantilevered barrels for the 1300, but I don't think they are making them any more, and they are likely to be expensive if you can find one. Here's one, though ...
http://www.wescooutfitters.com/showproduct.aspx?productid=8776&affiliateid=10050
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
skynyrd1911
Member
I found a new Mossberg 12 gauge fully rifled with a cantilever barrel today in a town nearby for $249 plus tax. If it's still there Saturday, I think I'll get it. Now, bring on the shotgun scope discussion. Very few of my shots would be more than 100 yards.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Mine wears a Leupold M8 fixed 4X. Highest magnification I'd use would be 6X. Anything above that is a waste in my opinion. Think I picked up my M8 used on Gunbroker or AuctionArms for around $125. Several years ago, though.
Sergeant Sabre
Member
Um, WOW!!!
Check here first: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=732068
147.99+tax
EDIT: Wait, did you mean a Mossberg-made barrel for a Winchester? Alright, different story...
As far as scopes go, I have a Nikon ProStaff 2-7x. It runs about $150. It's marketed as a shotgun scope, so it probably has a 75yd parallax setting and does have very good eye relief. I highly recommend it.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I think he meant he found a complete shotgun including a cantilevered rifled barrel. $249 isn't a bad price for that!
... which is why I suggested looking for a 500 or 870 in the first place. They are solid, dependable guns that are relatively inexpensive as an initial purchase, and have lots of accessories and aftermarket parts available--also at comparatively low cost, as your link to the barrel at Midway demonstrates.
scout26
Member
If I'm not mistaken for that $249 he should also get a second barrel (either a 18.5" cyl bore or a 28" VR with Accu-chokes.) At least that's what I've seen 500's going for at the Gander Mountain in Geneva, IL.
Since you're shooting under 100 yrds a variable is nice but not necessary a good 3x or 4x scope would serve you well.
Since you're shooting under 100 yrds a variable is nice but not necessary a good 3x or 4x scope would serve you well.
Smitty in CT
Member
A little bit of Gun trivia / history to go along with this post.....
When Winchester (USRAC) built the model 1300's in the New Haven plant, Mossberg was the supplier for the barrels. Mossberg had a contract to supply all of the 1300 series barrels until the bean-counters at Olin shut down the plant.
When Winchester (USRAC) built the model 1300's in the New Haven plant, Mossberg was the supplier for the barrels. Mossberg had a contract to supply all of the 1300 series barrels until the bean-counters at Olin shut down the plant.
redneck2
Member
I use the B&L on my shotgun, a Leo on my muzzle loader, a new Weaver on my T/C, and I've got several Burris on several other guns. Throw Nikon in the mix and I'd take any one of them.
Just make sure to get Butler Creek flip caps for hunting. Since this gun will actually be used, and used hard, get the best scope you can. My B&L is incredible in low light.
Just make sure to get Butler Creek flip caps for hunting. Since this gun will actually be used, and used hard, get the best scope you can. My B&L is incredible in low light.
skynyrd1911
Member
The $249 was for a new complete gun with the rifled cantilever barrel. If gander is selling the same gun with two barrels for the same price, I need to find out. thanks everyone
skynyrd1911
Member
Well, I did it yesterday.......Bought it for $246.43 plus tax. I'm so EXCITED! Can't wait for next November! By that time I will have scoped and sighted it in. It's exactly like this one.....http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=65885965 Now, How do you get that stupid Mossberg sticker off of the stock without scratching the wood??
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