Shotgun Slug hunting

[TEE]

Hey all,

How many of you out there hunt deer with a shotgun? Can you share some of your experiencies? I thought something that would do dual duty for bird and deer would be nice. How about opinions about rifles barrels vs just rifled slugs.

Other than the Shotgun, I think i've decided on a Savage Axis in .308 for my entry level rifle. I've read many threads on .308 vs .30 06. Seems like there is no winner, and in a SHTF situation, i think thhe .308 would be just more abundant.

[Country_boy17]

I'm pretty sure mossberg still makes a 500 combo model, comes with a hunting barrel for birds and a rifled barrel... Don't quote me on that, maybe go into bass pro, cabellas, wholesale sports and talk to someone behind the counter. Never hunted deer with a shotgun. I know lots of
People use them. Doesn't seem practical to me.. Get Yur self a nice rifle and then look at gettin a shotgun.

[bowtech3006]

I've killed over 20 deer with shotguns. Smoothbore with rifled slugs. I hunt with it just like bowhunting with a few differences of course. Mainly shooting while there moving. I upgraded to a rifled barrel recently. H&r ultra slug gun (single shot)that I epoxy bedded.6" group at 200yds w hornady sst. Not that i agree with shooting that long with shotguns. I like to know what my weapon does way out there if needed , just like shooting my bow 80yds. If used within resonable distances IMO and experience some of the shortest bloodtrails you will ever follow. Like all weapons practice, practice. Goodluck

[Dacotensis]

I'm shooting an 870 w/ a rifled barrel and rifled slugs and iron sights. At 100m it drops 10". Most of my sitting locations give me a 75m or less shot.
I shot a nice buck 2 years ago in the wide open. Came right in to 40m.

I have killed them with my winchester mod 12 bird gun. Groups were not as good, so waited for them to come in closer.

[leeaspell]

Dacotensis, wouldn't a rifled barrel be better with sabot slugs vs rifled? I'm no expert, just asking

[Michael_Brown]

I have shot lots of whitetails with slugs. Kills them very dead.
Leaves a loonie size hole in them and they drain out quickly. For shots 80 yards and closer probably my first choice for deer.
Let your hunting area decide. If you may be faced with a long shot a rifle will be a better choice but if its thick and close, a shotgun with slugs is deadly.

[FriendlyGiant]

Also nice to have a 12ga with slugs on deck when Yogi bear comes to crash the party.

[Pudelpointer]

If you have the choice Tee, and this will be your main gun for hunting big game, I would get a set with a rifled barrel. With sabots you should be good out to 100 yards or more, which is a fairly respectable distance.

With a smooth bore, 100 yards is pushing it with most guns / loads. I have an old Browning Double Auto that can put 3 slugs in a 3" clover leaf at 90 yards with its skeet barrel.


I think your choice of 308 for a rifle is an excellent one.

[rhuntley12]

Slugs work great, haven't used one myself but have seen lots of people take deer at good ranges. Heck I'll be going out this weekend with a 12G and buckshot as where I'm heading won't be any long shots.

[TEE]

well thanks everyone, I've pretty much decided to get the rifle first, and look at getting a dual function shotty next season.

[Kako]

Originally Posted by TEE

well thanks everyone, I've pretty much decided to get the rifle first, and look at getting a dual function shotty next season.

I went with a 22lr first, then a 308, and now a shotty with a field/deer combo barrel.

Came with a rifled barrel. I also purchased a smoothbore barrel for it shorter length to shoot foster slugs and buckshots.

Shooting sabots gets expensive!

[Justfishin73]

No Savage Axis--dont do it!! Junk.

[calgarychef]

Dropping a leuopold shotgun scope on a rifled barrel slug gun is a good idea.
You’ll be glad you did.