What slug to use?

[tom357mag]

I myself have a Remington 870 Express smoothbore in 12 Gauge and shoot Federal Truball slugs and can get a 6" group @ 50 yards. My son however has a Mossberg 500 20 gauge with screw in chokes [the Improved Cylinder choke in the gun] also shooting Federal Truball slugs and the groupings are much much worse. It shoots high then low then left then right then bullseye. What gives? The only reason he is shooting the Truballs is that I tried everything over the sun with my 870 and the Truballs are the only thing I found reliable. Any suggestions?

 

[Al Thompson]

Hate to say it, but something else. Shotguns, like .22s, can be individuals when it comes to ammo.

 

[Jason_W]

Are there any sights on the gun other than a bead? I can't hit a thing with slugs if I'm using a barrel with just a bead.

 

[6-gunfun]

my dads 870 shoots all remington slugs just like your sons mossberg try lightfeilds maybe? they make some punishing slugs also winchester or K.O. slugs might not be to bad. my advice tho is just to shop around pick up a few diffrent types and just have him shoot to see whats goin on with it

 

[Tim the student]

Can he shoot your gun well? Are you shooting, or is he?

If you have already tried a bunch of brands, I'd maybe try a different choke.

 

[tom357mag]

Are there any sights on the gun other than a bead? I can't hit a thing with slugs if I'm using a barrel with just a bead.

Yes he has a scope on it

Can he shoot your gun well? Are you shooting, or is he?

Don't know if he can shoot my gun , as far as his gun we both get the same results.

 

[Jason_W]

Shotguns and slugs can be finicky. You might try some other kinds of slugs like Brenneke's, many of which have a plastic wad/gas seal affixed to the projectile and acts a stabilizer. You can also load your own, if you're so inclined and being able to vary charge and velocity may enable you to find a slug load that works with the gun.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/20ga-DGS-20-slug-pak_25/productinfo/0721620/

You could also keep your eyes peeled for a used rifled barrel.

 

[redneck2]

I've used a LOT of slug guns in over 40 years of deer hunting. Slugs are a real funny deal. I had an 1100 that literally wouldn't hit a 5 gallon bucket at 20 yards. High, low, left right.

Switched to a bolt action 16 gauge with a Poly choke. Hit a pop can every time at 30 yards. Go figure.

If you're really serious, I'd take the advice about the rifled barrel. I have one on my 870 with a 2x7 scope. I shoot tennis ball sized groups at 125 yards (off a good rest). Standing deer out to 140 yards (with a rest) are no problem. Several years ago I hit a coyote at a measured 141 yards. This is using high quality sabots that shoot 1,500+ fps.

Anything other than a smooth bore can grab the slug as it exits the choke and knuckle ball the shot. Even the best smooth bores are no match for a rifled barrel. Anything with a choke is a crap shoot.

If you're set on plain lead slugs, I've had my best luck with Remington Sluggers and Federals, but each gun is a different critter.

 

[hawk shooter]

Check the scope.

 

[tom357mag]

Checked the scope and its nice and tight. I did notice upon cleaning tonite that the Federal's really left some crap in the barrel. Tried to scrub it with Hoppes and a bronze brush but it didn't come squeaky clean. Also my gun was crapped up. I will stop at Walgreens tommorow and get some Chore Boy and try to clean again. I don't recall having this problem the last 2 years. The Federals seemed to "work" although not the best. Should I change the choke out to a "Modified" instead of the "Improved Cylinder" scrub the barrel clean and try again or should I just try a different slug

 

[arizona98tj]

The scope mount may be nice and tight....but that says nothing about the internals. You have a variable in the accuracy equation that is still unknown.

 

[tom357mag]

Not sure I understand what youre sayin. If the shots are on the paper but going every which way and no kind of grouping do you mean that somthing inside the scope is loose?

 

[Tim the student]

I don't recall having this problem the last 2 years.

Maybe Arizona is right, and the reticle is all jacked up. I had it happen to a cheap package scope on a .270 (cheap Simmons scope on a Savage package). I was getting nice tight groupings, and then it got really wonky for a few shots, and then all of a sudden the reticle was canted about 45 degrees. It made identifying my problem easy! Got another scope (one that is up to being mounted on a shotgun that is) you could mount and see? If the gun seemed to shoot fine for the last couple of years, but isn't now, it would make sense.

Should I change the choke out to a "Modified" instead of the "Improved Cylinder" scrub the barrel clean and try again or should I just try a different slug

IC usually seems to be the way to go with slugs, but it isn't always true. I'd go with a variety of slugs before changing the choke.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Brenneke is now making their KO rifled slug in 20 gauge. Worth a try...

lpl

 

[arizona98tj]

Not sure I understand what youre sayin. If the shots are on the paper but going every which way and no kind of grouping do you mean that somthing inside the scope is loose? [\quote]

Yes, that is exactly what I mean. If you can verify that scope on another firearm....or use another scope on this firearm, you will know if the scope is or is not giving you a problem.