Slug gun for deer hunting

[xmaster]

I joined a lease in sw mississippi last year and many areas around the highway and around houses is shotgun only. I've looked at some of the other members setups and they are pretty varied. I was wondering what a good setup would be. The terrain varies from flat open woods on the swamp side of the highway to wooded ridges on the other side.

I have a BPS and a A5. I was wondering if one of these could be modified into a good slug gun or if I would need to purchase something else because my son and I use the two brownings for doves, ducks and squirrels. If it took much time or effort to change out the slug setup I would rather just get something new. But money is always an object. The traits I am looking for is fast handling and accurate out to 125 yards. I am thinking I would need some type of optics on it.

I have always used rifles to hunt deer but I know some of you out there probably use a shotgun exclusively. Any help on things y'all have found useful wil help me get ready for the upcoming season.

Thanks

X

 

[steveracer]

NEF single shot slug gun.

Flat top for scope mounting, rifled bore for sabots, and light enough to carry in the field.

 

[xmaster]

Steveracer

How much are they? And have you shot one? How is the accuracy?

 

[CSA 357]

I LIVED IN S/W MS FOR YEARS, HUNTED ON STATE LAND SLUGS OR BUCK SHOT ONLY, I GOT A HASTINGS BARREL FOR MY 870 REMINGTON AND SHOT COPPER SOLIDS IT WILL SHOOT ABOUT 2 INCHES AT 100 YRDS I KILLED 3 BUCKS THE FIRST YEAR I GOT IT, PUT A 3X9 NIKON ON IT , MAN I MISS HUNTING THERE NOT MANY DEER HERE IN NORTH ALABAMA!*CSA*

 

[mp510]

Steveracer

How much are they? And have you shot one? How is the accuracy?

I too hunt with an H&R rifled slug gun, in 20, and with Wincehester BRI Sabot slugs, it can put 3 shots touching at fifty yeards- with ease. The only downside, is that they can be heavy guns to tote.

 

[Hoppy590]

i agree with the NEF suggestion. good guns. i believe they offer a 10gauge too. just incase you want to be sure the job is done

 

[frank c]

I have been using a browning gold deer hunter model (auto)full rifled barrel with a burris signature series 1X6X40 electro dot scope.Very accurate gun out to 100-125 yards useing 2 3/4 inch lightfield sabots.Look around for marlin bolt action slug guns also.I would use a 2X7 or a 1X6 scope.

 

[steveracer]

The NEF guns are less than $250.

I got a rifled 20 flat top with laminate stock for $225. That was last fall.

 

[Bluehawk]

Although slug guns are not that common out here in southern California I've been working on loads for my Mossberg 500. Loaded with cast Lyman hollow base sabot slugs or pure lead round balls I get excellent accuracy with Mossbergs rifled slug barrel with rifle sights to 100 yards. Recently I put a scope on it but haven't taken it to the range in that configuration yet.
With the Lyman cast sabot hollow base slug useing iron sights I get perfect touching clover leafs at fifty yards.
You cant go wrong with Mossbergs' 500 since you can change barrels in seconds and have a field gun...slug gun...turkey gun...or home defense gun.

 

[Preacherman]

I'd try your existing shotguns with a variety of slugs to determine how accurate they are. Some combinations of slug + smoothbore can be phenomenally accurate. I particularly recommend the Rottweil Brenneke slugs - they work fine in smoothbores, and I can get a 4" group at 100 yards from a 21" IC smoothbore Remington 870 with them. That's more than good enough for minute-of-deer.

 

[xmaster]

I LIVED IN S/W MS FOR YEARS, HUNTED ON STATE LAND SLUGS OR BUCK SHOT ONLY, I GOT A HASTINGS BARREL FOR MY 870 REMINGTON AND SHOT COPPER SOLIDS IT WILL SHOOT ABOUT 2 INCHES AT 100 YRDS I KILLED 3 BUCKS THE FIRST YEAR I GOT IT, PUT A 3X9 NIKON ON IT , MAN I MISS HUNTING THERE NOT MANY DEER HERE IN NORTH ALABAMA!*CSA*
__________________
Sorry you have gotten so far away from God's country, South Louisana and south Mississippi are awesome places to live and play. I thought there were a lot of deer in AL.

Preacherman, do you use sights or optics with those smooth bore barrels?

 

[Karbon]

I say a 870 with a rifled barrel is the best bet. Under 100 yards, don't bother with a scope. I shot my 870 for 15 years and it was great. I have had super results with Federal's Premium copper sabots. All but one of my bucks have been taken with the shot gun.

For the price and for the use, you can't go wrong.

 

[Preacherman]

Xmaster, I used iron sights for those groups - but as I age, and my eyes deteriorate, I'm considering going to a scope.

 

[redneck2]

I've used an 870 with a rifled barrel for years. I've taken maybe 20 deer with it. I use Remington 3" copper solids because they are plenty accurate (in my gun) and were on sale at the local shop a few years ago for something like $4 a box. I bought all they had and I'm still using them. I sight at 125 yards. Shoots maybe tennis ball size groups. 3 shots very close or once in a while touching is pretty much the rule.

2 3/4" sabots from a rifled barrel have about the same ballistics as a loaded up 45-70. Mine has a 1.5x6 B&L scope lin a saddle type mount. I'd strongly suggest Stoney Creek flip caps if you get a scope.

As a note, I can tell you that 3" solids pretty much rock your world. They're way overkill for deer but they were cheap and work well.

 

[CSA 357]

X I STILL HUNT THERE WHEN I GET THE CHANCEMY BROTHER LIVES IN THE BIG TOWN OF BARLOW, IS THAT ANY WHERE NEAR YOUR LAND? *CSA*

 

[Mannlicher]

I noticed you have a Browning A5. Thats what I use for a slug gun. Mine is a 3 inch Mag, and I use a Hastings barrel with rifle sights. I shoot the Breneke slugs. My Browning will shoot into two inches at 75 yards. Other than one buck shot across a peanut hay field, I don't think I have shot a deer past that distance in years.