Using Slugs with Chokes - Winchester 1300 20ga Questions

[doctorj77]

I'm relatively new to shotgun chokes. I was wondering if someone could help explain if I can use slugs on a barrel with a choke? The short answer seems to be yes, but on certain ones.

Now I'm just learning the different types of chokes. I have a Winchester 1300 Ranger 20ga I like to use for Deer season this year. I got this gun 19yrs ago, haven't shot it much. But it came with two barrels. A 22in Deer Slug barrel, but its just a smooth-bore with rifle sights. No brainer this barrel is fine to use Foster, or Breneke slugs.

The other barrel is a 28in smooth-bore with a Win-choke. Now my dilemma is I don't know what type of Win-choke is on there. I'm guessing its a modified choke since its groups great for clays and fowl 25-35yds. But how would I find out what type is in there now? Can I tell just from looking at it?

And depending on that, what is the recommended choke to use with slugs? Something like a Cylinder Smooth Bore choke? Also is/would there be any benefit to using a slug in a 28in sb vs. a 22in sb, since they're not rifled?

These questions are driven with accuracy in mind. If there is no added benefit, I'd just leave the gun alone then. Besides, the 22in is pretty accurate out 50yds and is more manageable in a blind due to short length.

I'm just curious if it could be done on the 28in barrel. And if it would be worth it. I appreciate anyone's feedback or info.

Thank you

 

[Fred Fuller]

Often an ImpCyl choke works well shooting slugs. I'd not shoot slugs through anything tighter than Full, and I dislike using anything tighter than Mod, but I'm told I worry too much about such things.

Try 'em both and see if one shoots better than the other. My guess is that the sights are enough of an advantage that will be the barrel you wind up using.

I see Brenneke is making the KO slugs in 20 gauge now, those have worked very well for me in 12 gauge and I'd expect the same thing in 20, but I haven't gotten any to try out yet.

fwiw,

lpl

 

[doctorj77]

Yeah the 22in barrel has the rifle sights. Which I've replaced with Williams Fire Sights, look great in the day time. The 28in has just the brass bead which I wouldn't guess is too wise for shots over 25yrds.

I just realized with a little more research, it should/supposed to say right on the choke which type I have in there. I'll take a look tonight.

 

[rcmodel]

I was gonna say, take the choke out and see what it says on it.
If it will come out!

That is also a good time to clean the threads in the barrel and the choke and lube them with grease so you can get it out the next time.

BTW, The long barrel with an IC choke should be easily good for 50 yards on deer size targets.

Buy yourself a pack of paper plates and use them for targets.
Whatever range you can keep your slugs on a dinner plate is your max range on a deers boiler room.

rc

 

[doctorj77]

A little behind the ball here. But I looked at the choke yesterday, its a modified choke. I guess I'll be scouring Gunbroker for an improved choke now.

 

[Tim the student]

You may have good luck with a modified. IMO, you probably will have better luck with an IC, but that doesn't mean a mod won't work well for you.

 

[rcmodel]

Yea, I would try the Mod first before I got too excited about finding an IC tube. It may shoot just fine.

I'm still wondering why though.

If you already have a 22" slug barrel with rifle sights, that right there would be the one to use.

Choke tubes are available everywhere. They are the same as:
Browning Invector
Mossberg
Ruger - Pre 1993
Savage Arms
Weatherby

Get'm here:
http://www.choketube.com/wbmw.html

rc

 

[hub]

If you already have a 22" slug barrel with rifle sights, that right there would be the one to use.

I agree that is your best bet and what it was made for.

What choke do you think is built into your slug barrel? Probably CYL bore. The whole theory is that too much choke will deform the slug as it goes through the choke and it will not fly as well. So in theory no choke or CYL bore would be the best. Some guns may shoot imp cyl better with some slugs but there is nothing wrong with a 22in smoothbore with rifled sights especially if you already own it. Buy several different brands of slugs and see what groups the best in your barrel.

The only benefit I can see in using the vent rib with a certain choke tube is if you wanted to try a rifled choke tube with fosters or sabots.

 

[doctorj77]

Well my original post was a two question. Maybe I didn't describe it correctly.

I have a 22in slug barrel with rifle sights. But its a smooth bore, non rifled.

The other barrel I have is the 28in smooth bore with a mod choke. So one of my questions got answered, that being a mod choke might work with foster slugs, ok I'll buy that and give it a whirl.

But other question was would the 28in be any more accurate than the 22in? They're both smooth bores, just one is longer & with a choke. Since they are both non-rifled, I was just curious if the extra 6in would offer any additional accuracy when used with the right choke tube.

 

[rcmodel]

I think personally you will gain more from the rifle sights on the slug barrel then the longer length of the barrel without sights. (with the same choke on both).

Bottom line though is, you have to shoot them both and see which one you can shoot more accurately.

None of us can tell you that.

rc

 

[hub]

Well my original post was a two question. Maybe I didn't describe it correctly. So one of my questions got answered, that being a mod choke might work with foster slugs, OK I'll buy that and give it a whirl.

I guess I didn't answer clearly the first time. (Revised Answer #1) You can shoot a foster type slug through any choke cyl-full. The reason people prefer cyl or imp cyl is because it won't deform the slug going through the choke which in turn should give it better accuracy. Key is should, actual results can vary through different barrels, chokes, and slugs. You said you had a mod win-choke choke tube, try it and see if it shoots better than your slug barrel.

I have a 22in slug barrel with rifle sights. But its a smooth bore, non rifled.

OK what's wrong with that? It's made to shoot rifled slugs. It has rifled sights doesn't it? That should make a little easier to make longer and more precise shots in the kill zone. Is there something wrong with using your slug barrel to shoot slugs or do you think for some reason that the vent rib with a mod choke will shoot better? With that being said I did kill my first deer using a 870 wingmaster with a fixed mod choke barrel and just a bead front site. It's not that it can't be done it's just in my opion the slug barrel would be better. That's what I was trying to answer in my first post for your question #2

(Revised Answer #2)
I don't think the extra 6in of barrel will do anything for performance or accuracy. Most longer barrels are for wing shooting and are that long to help control swing. You don't need that in a slug gun so the extra 6in could possible be in your way in tight positions.

As for the choke, I don't think you will gain anything performance wise unless you go to a rifled choke tube like this.
http://www.choke-tube.com/proddetail.asp?prod=19475

The only solution I see here is for you to go out and buy several boxes of different slugs and see what you can shoot the best out of either barrel. If your not happy with the accuracy then sell the slug barrel and buy a rifled slug barrel or try a rifled choke tube in the longer barrel.

 

[doctorj77]

That makes sense. I'll just leave it alone for now. I might in the future buy a rifled barrel and use sabots or Hornady's leverevolution rifled slugs.

Its my first gun I ever had, so I really don't want to go modifying much. With the slug barrel and fosters I've hit targets like milk jugs at 50yrds before, so its still pretty darn accurate. Besides swapping a barrel out is no biggie though, just expensive to get one...:banghead: