Using Non-sabot rifled slugs in a rifled barrel?

[2@low8]

Several months ago I purchased a used, Leupold scoped, pristine Rem. 11-87, 12 gauge shotgun with a rifled barrel.

I am just now getting the bug to go outside and shoot it today. I know that rifled barrels are meant for sabot slugs, but I have none on hand.

Is there any danger in harming the barrel and/or the rifling by using slugs without a sabot or without a shot cup (slug cup)? Specifically I have Win. Super-X, hollow point, 1 oz., rifled slugs.

 

[rcmodel]

It won't hurt the barrel.

You may get some leading that will take a while to scrub out though.

rc

 

[rule303]

What RC said. I found "rifled" slugs actually shoot quite well from my rifled barrel Mossberg 930, without any excessive leading, but each barrel is different.

 

[2@low8]

Range report: This afternoon I set up a 50 yard target in the backyard. From a standing position, using a ladder as a support under my offhand, I ended up with 2” group after 5 shots.

I don’t know how to gage this performance since I have no experience with a rifled barrel and a scope. If it was a smoothbore I would be elated.

I have the components to make ammo with sabot slugs, but I have too many projects to do first. I’ll do another report with a benched gun at 100 yards when I put some rounds together.

Thanks to rcmodel and rule303 for easing my mind about this.....Frankie

 

[tiamat]

The Box 'O Truth also tested this. You can see it here, on the last page of episode #46: The Box O' Truth #46 - Shotgun Slugs, Sabots, and Smooth Bore Barrels - Page 4

 

[Utryme]

No harm. Sabots are pricey. Winchester makes a slug, buck hammer I think it is, I was using it and getting 2" at 75 yards no problem. They are 40% the cost of sabots.

 

[2@low8]

tiamat - The Box 'O Truth also tested this. You can see it here, on the last page of episode #46: The Box O' Truth #46 - Shotgun Slugs, Sabots, and Smooth Bore Barrels - Page 4

Thanks for the link. From my recent experience I could almost have written page 4 myself! I’m filing it for future reference.

Utryme - No harm. Sabots are pricey. Winchester makes a slug, buck hammer I think it is, I was using it and getting 2" at 75 yards no problem. They are 40% the cost of sabots.

About 3 years ago I took a nice buck using a Buck Hammer slug and it had some pretty impressive performance. This past season none of the LGS had any nor could I find them on Remington’s site. Have they stopped production on them?

 

[Deer_Freak]

I get the same results as box o truth from my Mossberg 500 with a rifled barrel and a 4x fixed power scope. Sabots do perform better at ranges over 75 yards. But the long range performance comes from a lighter projectile with a better ballistic coefficient.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

They won't your barrel.

 

[243winxb]

Federal hollow point, 1 oz., rifled slugs grouped 8" @100 yds hitting high with the zero set for sabots. Sabot averaged 4" @ 100 for me. Lee Key drive average 7" @ 100yds. Scoped Mossberg rifled 12 ga. cantilever bbl, ported.

 

[Onmilo]

If you can find some of the Wolf brand slugs, they shoot extremely well in my rifled Mossberg 500

 

[wildfowl]

The Article cited above looks like it only had the target at 10 yards. That might be worthwhile for shooting something in down the hall of your house, but otherwise not much help.

 

[Deer_Freak]

The Article cited above looks like it only had the target at 10 yards. That might be worthwhile for shooting something in down the hall of your house, but otherwise not much help.

I sight my shotgun in at 70 yards with plain old Super X 2 3/4" slugs. If I don't pull off every shot is touching a 2" square. Shooting sabots I don't have to sight the scope in again. The sabots I have tested at 150 yards. They hit a 9" paper plate every time, even when I pull off. When everything goes perfect every sabot is touching a 2" square at 150 yards. I am hunting deer or black bear with the shotgun slugs. I have never used a slug to shoot a squirrel. I have cut the top of a few rabbits heads off with slugs. Rabbit is one of my favorite meals. I will find a way to take a rabbit without ruining the meat if I was dragging a civil war cannon.

 

[tiamat]

10 yards?

more like 50.