20 Ga for Deer

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CLydesdale1812

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I was doing some research on 20 Gauge slugs and I discovered that the average power of a slug at 100 yds is about 800 ft lbs. Browsing through my hunting course textbook I came across a chart that suggested that deer require a minimum of 900 ft lbs, but upwards of 1500 ft lbs is "preferred".

From the folks with experience, are 20 gauge slugs okay at a shorter range (i.e. 50 yards) or is buckshot a better option? I'm just looking for the most ethical form to practice with before deer season opens up again.
 
Depends on the the type of slug and your gun. At fifty yards it doesnt matter. At 100 yards a sabot slug is a better option then a rifled slug if your gun has a rifled barrel. Its ft pounds will be much higher.

Any slug is better then any buckshot at any range.

Example - This slug has a almost 1200 ft/lbs at 100 yards

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/shotshell.aspx?id=732
 
Another example as found on outdoor life forum.
To get us started I asked one of our new sponsors, Winchester, for some professional advice. A company spokesman said:

Winslug_3 An old rule of thumb is that it takes 1,000 ft-lbs of energy to kill a deer. The 20 gauge has plenty of energy. For example, the Winchester Supreme 2¾” 20-gauge Partition Gold load uses a 260-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1,900 fps and a muzzle energy of 2084 ft lbs. This is more muzzle energy than any .30-30 load that Winchester makes, and the .30-30 has probably killed more deer than any other cartridge.
 
I've nailed several deer with my trusty Remington 870. I hunt in an area where 40-70 yd. shots are the norm, and I can tell you without hesitation that if you have a rifled barrel, sabot slugs are absolutely deadly medicine on deer out to 100 yds. If you have a smooth bore barrel and you use rifled slugs, I would stick to 50 yd. and under shots. I've tried several brands of sabots and my shotgun liked them all. Currently, I'm using the Federal premium. I personally don't like ssg or buckshot on deer. I've seen too many dirty kills and too much meat destroyed. I'm old school and I like one shot, one kill. Good luck to you.
 
I have been using a 20 pump for deer for a few years now and never had a problem ,I shot two this year with the 20g sabots.and both times the slugs went right thru the deers ribs .like in one side and out the other ,cannot ask for anything more from a slug gun .I like the 20g because it is easy to carry lighter then the 12g .I shot a 16 g slug gun for many years and loved it .if thy made a 16g with a rifled barrel I would be ll over it .haha Dutch
 
redmist25 said:
Another example as found on outdoor life forum.
To get us started I asked one of our new sponsors, Winchester, for some professional advice. A company spokesman said:

Winslug_3 An old rule of thumb is that it takes 1,000 ft-lbs of energy to kill a deer. The 20 gauge has plenty of energy. For example, the Winchester Supreme 2¾” 20-gauge Partition Gold load uses a 260-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1,900 fps and a muzzle energy of 2084 ft lbs. This is more muzzle energy than any .30-30 load that Winchester makes, and the .30-30 has probably killed more deer than any other cartridge.
Click to expand...

This is power to spare for WT deer at normal hunting distances and also more then adequate for the average black bear over a bait pile.

This kind of energy sits just a hair above the 454 Casull or a top lever handload in a 45-70 Marlin.

my 2 bits

Edit: I have used 20 gauge buckshot on varmints smaller then deer at close range. The terminal effect was underwhelming. I would never use this ever, even on a smaller sized deer!
 
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180 yards with a 20ga slug on moose... prefect example of how big a factor shot placement really is.

Velocity and energy numbers must be terrible for a range like that, but it still killed no problem.

Certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but as long as you keep within whatever range you are accurate to i don't see why it wouldn't kill bambi.
 
CLydesdale1812 said:
I was doing some research on 20 Gauge slugs and I discovered that the average power of a slug at 100 yds is about 800 ft lbs. Browsing through my hunting course textbook I came across a chart that suggested that deer require a minimum of 900 ft lbs, but upwards of 1500 ft lbs is "preferred".

From the folks with experience, are 20 gauge slugs okay at a shorter range (i.e. 50 yards) or is buckshot a better option? I'm just looking for the most ethical form to practice with before deer season opens up again.
Click to expand...
what slugs are you using? maybe switch to something with more power if you are concerned

for example

http://www.hornady.com/store/20-GA-SST-Slug-250gr-SST/
 
Suther said:
180 yards with a 20ga slug on moose... prefect example of how big a factor shot placement really is.

Velocity and energy numbers must be terrible for a range like that, but it still killed no problem.

Certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but as long as you keep within whatever range you are accurate to i don't see why it wouldn't kill bambi.
Click to expand...



We did alot of testing before using them on game and are absolutely devastating out of that 28" barrel.
 
I have been using a 20g H&R single shot with a rifled barrel and sabot slugs for a few years now. I have never had a problem putting deer down out to just over 100 yards.
 
I've been using a 20 ga bolt gun for a couple years now and I am very happy with it. Have taken bear and deer with it with great results. I have been using the remington acutips and have been very happy with their performance.
 
I haven't hunted deer with slugs but on the gulf islands in BC. a lot of people make the mistake of hunting with slugs thinking its ok by the regs. witch read no single projectile, so buck shot/only. If you have seen the island deer 170lbs live is huge my biggest ever I estimated was 140lb. I'll take down these big boys at no more then 40 meters with buckshot. At this distance I have never had a wounded one get away and have used both 20g and 12g
 
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