Need help finding a slug gun.

Dave42

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
19   0   0
Location
Edmonton
I have an opportunity to hunt for some really big white tail this fall in a normally off limits area, however it is shotgun only. So here is my dilemma…

I need a slug gun and know nothing about them.

From the searches I have done so far on the shotgun form, here is what I know. I would like the best accuracy possible so a rifled barrel would be my first choice. I already have a Rem 870 SPS Super Mag so I could put a rifled barrel on it but I’m not sure where to buy one from, or even if they sell them separate.

If I do buy new, a devoted deer gun would be best as I already have a few other guns for bird hunting. Price is not that important as long as the value is there, but that being said I’d like to stay within the $1500 mark for everything including the first few boxes of ammo. I would also prefer to mount a scope instead of using open sights. I’m leaning towards a pump but not ruling out a semi.

So I’m asking anyone who cares to answer….

1. What slug gun would you recommend for accuracy and reliability.
2. What are the pro’s and con’s of a 12ga vs 20ga slug gun (remember deer only).
3. If I do use the 870 where can I find a barrel and what can I expect to spend.
4. What would you recommend for a scope and mounts.

In short I’m looking for a kick ass deer gun that shoots good, is accurate, and I can have confidence in. Thanks in advance for any help.

Dave
 
You can get a slug barrel for your 870, they are available with a cantilever barrel/scope mount that lets you mount and dismount the barrel without shifting POI.

If you want a dedicated gun, I believe the Ithica Deerslayer comes very highly recommended but I haven't used one myself.
Cheers,
Grant
 
What kind of distance are you looking at?

This with the gost ring sights would make a nice deer gun;
24q1tgy.jpg
 
You can get a slug barrel for your 870, they are available with a cantilever barrel/scope mount that lets you mount and dismount the barrel without shifting POI.

If you want a dedicated gun, I believe the Ithica Deerslayer comes very highly recommended but I haven't used one myself.
Cheers,
Grant

The deer slayer looks perfect, where do I get one?:D

Where would a guy find the 870 slug barrel in Canada aswell?

Dave
 
You could buy an H&R sluggun ,in the states they have quite a following and are known for their slug accuracy. Put a scope on it and you essentially have a .444 marlin. And they are 199.99 @ Russell's which is about what you would pay for a slug barrell anyway.
 
Last edited:
"...not sure where to buy one from, or even if they sell them separate..." Most gun shops will carry or can get a slug barrel for an 870. Any 870 barrel should go right on with no fuss. A rifled barrel will be considerably more money than a rifle sighted smooth bore, of course. Paid $205, including the taxes, for a 20" smooth bore last Fall, here in Ontario.
Epp's, for example, wants $225 for a rifled, 23" cantilever.
After that you have to try as many brands as you can to find the ammo your gun shoots best, then sight it in just like a rifle. Use a low magnification scope.
 
slug barrel

Remington offers 870 barrels the 23 in heavy wall barrel with canilever scope rail, this will give optimun ballistics and all the accuracy, Be willing to buy and try many different slug loads as some your gun will love and others may be all over on a target. I my self hunt shotgun area for deer and use 870 with the 20 inch rifled barrel with rifled sights as I shoot under or around 100 yd max. My gun absolutly loves Challenger slugs as they cloverleaf on 75 yard target
 
Thanks for the help so far guys. Some good info. Keep it coming

For a stand alone gun would a reciever mounted scope be better than a cantilever?

Thanks

Dave
 
Remington has a package deal that includes the 23" rifled barrel with cantilever scope base, rings, and a scope. The two shops I frequent sell these kits for $300. Last year, it also came with a coupon for a free box of Remington sabot slugs, in my opinion you can't find a better deal.

I bought my slug barrel a few years ago before this deal was available, bought my own rings and Bushnell Legend scope and spent over $500.:mad: But it shoots awesome, and it seems to prefer the Remington Core Lokt Ultra sabots which absolutely hammer deer.
 
acually. id buy a few boxs of rifled slugs and practice with em and see what they can produce. then id save that 1500 for a gun you really want.


I had thought about that, however I'd still like to use a scope and by the sounds of it that will involve getting a canilever style barrel anyhow (since I don't have mounts on any of my guns now), so it might aswell be a rifled one.

I'm not really interested in a combo gun any more but if it's the better deal I'll just sell the other barrel and make it that much better.

Still looking for opinions on getting a 20ga vs a 12ga. The only thing I can think of is it would be lighter with less recoil. Any other reasons?

Thanks

Dave
 
I had thought about that, however I'd still like to use a scope and by the sounds of it that will involve getting a canilever style barrel anyhow (since I don't have mounts on any of my guns now), so it might aswell be a rifled one.

I'm not really interested in a combo gun any more but if it's the better deal I'll just sell the other barrel and make it that much better.

Still looking for opinions on getting a 20ga vs a 12ga. The only thing I can think of is it would be lighter with less recoil. Any other reasons?

Thanks

Dave

Suggest you look at the Benelli - M2 (semi) or Nova in 20ga rifled bbl.....a while back I did some serious "homework" with a view to acquiring one. The review of 20ga performance (read rifled bbl) was/is great. Also the fact that Benelli bbls are superior in build quality. All that's not to say that the Operator won't be required to do his/her part :)

Both models are available at Epps. Personally, I'd go the M2 route.
 
I have the Mossberg 500 20g cantilever fully rifled ported bbl. I prefer the leeser recoil over my 12g slug gun, I find too that the 20g is more accurate and hits with enough punch out to 150yds.
I'm using Rem. solid copper sabot slugs but I have tried the Win. BRI's too. Both are accurate I just like the Rem. with its solid copper lethal wound channel producing sabots better.
Good luck
 
Back
Top Bottom