Slug, Slugs and more Slugs

[Zeke Menuar]

I am in the process of getting a second a barrel for my shotgun. It is a Western Field 550A 12ga, otherwise known as a Mossberg 500. I have located a 20" vent-rib barrel for it. Should make a dandy bumming around rifle. However I do not know much about slugs. I have shot the Foster type slugs that are sold at the local Bi-Mart. I am interested in the Brenneke slugs and the sabot slugs that have standard (albiet large heavy) bullets. Can the saboted bullets be shot in a smoothbore barrel with an improved cylinder choke?(I have three winchoke tubesIC,M,F) What about the brenneke slugs. Is it ok to fire the brenneke slugs in a barrel with an IC choke?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
ZM

 

[BMWGuru]

It is safe to fire either type of slug in the improved cylinder choke, the sabot really needs a rifled barrel to reach it's accuracy potential. The general consensus among my hunting buddies are that the brenneke slugs are the best foster style slugs. I would stick with the brennekes if you are not going to use a rifled barrel. They seem plenty accurate out to 50-75 yards. If you need more range, the sabots and a rifled barrel will be accurate to 125-150 yards. Try several different brands of sabots as I have found some not to be as accurate in my gun.

 

[45Badger]

Don't waste your money on sabots without a rifled barrel.

Assorted smoothbore preferences I know about-

My 20 gauge Rem 1100 loves brennekes.

My father-in-law's 20 gauge 870 loves Winchester.

My 12 gauge 870 loves Federals.

My best friend's 870 12 gauge loves Winchester

Buy a box or two of each and blast away! See what works best for you.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Check the Archives for the Slugs 101 thread. The guys give good advice. I suggest getting into this one step at a time.

And,no Earthly Power can tell anyone what slug will work best in one particular shotgun. Bench test and see for yourself.

Good news, there's no ineffective 12 gauge slugs.

 

[Preacherman]

Zeke, you might be able to get a rifled choke for that smoothbore barrel. This would make it possible for you to shoot saboted slugs out of it with accuracy.