Bush Gun - Slug Choice

[VLT79]

That just suggests to me that full power buckshot is only good on people and doesn't belong in the game field anymore than the reduced velocity stuff. If it ain't got feathers (with the exception of crowded camp grounds or populated areas) use slugs.

For the most part I agree with you on that one. Most hunters should indeed use a slug for medium/large game if they aren't willing to spend the time and dollars to pattern buckshot thru multiple chokes at their expected shooting distances.

I tested/patterned various buckshot/choke combinations and have found that it is relatively easy, although expensive, to find a good consistent combination that will produce patterns tight enough to ensure quick kills on deer and black bear in hunting situations at a maximum distance of 20yds. Beyond those ranges however the patterns of most loads went to hell real quick, fast and in a hurry! I did have some buffered reloads 0buck that would hold a good consistent pattern that stretched the limit out to 35yds.

Slugs still remain my first choice for hunting medium and big game, with the Challenger slugs printing remarkable 100 yard groups from my 20" RS/IC 870...but again people should spend the time and dollars and try all options available then select the best combo for the intended application.

 

[mosinmaster]

Have you considered a rifle carbine with a heavier round?

 

[saskcop]

That just suggests to me that full power buckshot is only good on people and doesn't belong in the game field anymore than the reduced velocity stuff. If it ain't got feathers (with the exception of crowded camp grounds or populated areas) use slugs.

I think that is wisdom right there.

 

[roberto mervici]

Challenger is one excellent slug construction, it travel with the plastic piston attached, contrary to brenneke that separate from the felt bore up on exit the barrel, with my Franchi semi auto 24" cylinder barrel at 50 yds 3 shoots, I could put my 3 middle fingers in the holes....not as tight as the picture on the slugs box, but more as a clover leaf.
00 buck they have a tremendus stopping power if you hold of and fire from very close ... like 8 to 12' ...they are saying dont fire till you see the white of the eyes!!!

 

[mudgunner49]

Have you considered a rifle carbine with a heavier round?

Quien es "rifle carbine"???

 

[tjhaile]

According to Dr. Garry K. Roberts, Federal Truball Deep Penetrator slugs are supposed to be a good Brenneke alternative if you can find any.

 

[Ganderite]

Penetration is the key on a tough animal like a bear. The layers of fat can trap anything but a slug.

I would carry Fosters or sabots or both. No buckshot.

 

[jjohnwm]

According to Dr. Garry K. Roberts, Federal Truball Deep Penetrator slugs are supposed to be a good Brenneke alternative if you can find any.

I've tried these in 7 or 8 different guns (smoothbores) and they were always they most accurate of several loads tried, sometimes by a very wide margin. Their consistent accuracy edge was quite amazing. I have no idea how they perform on anything other than paper.

 

[Boomer]

According to Dr. Garry K. Roberts, Federal Truball Deep Penetrator slugs are supposed to be a good Brenneke alternative if you can find any.

New stuff comes out all the time, and my problem is that I stop looking once my question has been answered, so now and then I fall behind.

 

[ThorInc]

According to Dr. Garry K. Roberts, Federal Truball Deep Penetrator slugs are supposed to be a good Brenneke alternative if you can find any.

So far I have been unable to find them recently....

 

[sherlockbonez]

Never seen the tru balls locally, but I would take some hard cast challenger vs federal with a plastic tip for unruly wildlife.

 

[tjhaile]

I've tried these in 7 or 8 different guns (smoothbores) and they were always they most accurate of several loads tried, sometimes by a very wide margin. Their consistent accuracy edge was quite amazing. I have no idea how they perform on anything other than paper.

Where did you find the Deep Penetrator slugs? I have only seen the regular Truball slugs in stores.

 

[pbonura]

The low recoil makes faster more accurate follow-up shots possible (especially for the less experienced) and makes practice much less painful compared to the full power rounds. The low recoil stuff will most times pattern better at longer ranges and it penetrates damned near as deep as the full power loads. It became popular stuff after it was marketed for Law Enforcement...

Low recoil and shotgun slugs do not mix. If you shooting any time of slugs there are gettting to kick no matter what type of slug you are shooting. Skip the low recoil stuff, if you are using a slug expect it to kick like a horse. That is the point. Knock down powder. If you want low recoil shoot your 22lr off a bench.

 

[bollox]

I got 3 boxes of Rotweil Brennekes at Reliable a couple weeks ago.

Thank you,sir, for the tip. I just ordered 4 boxes.

 

[VLT79]

Low recoil and shotgun slugs do not mix. If you shooting any time of slugs there are gettting to kick no matter what type of slug you are shooting. Skip the low recoil stuff, if you are using a slug expect it to kick like a horse. That is the point. Knock down powder. If you want low recoil shoot your 22lr off a bench.

You have lots to learn young grasshoper...

 

[saskcop]

I think not enough can be said about the Challenger slugs. They are quite fast for a slug that size, and the design is more conducive to penetration. At about $18 for a box of ten, I think they are a fairly good deal.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

If your into reloading slugs and have roll crimping gear, then give these 1 1/4oz
puppies a try. They're from Slugs-R-Us in the States. I load 'em with 30 gr. Blue
Dot and I get one ragged hole groups from them at 30 yds from my H&R Ultra Slug
Hunter.

 

[bollox]

I think not enough can be said about the Challenger slugs. They are quite fast for a slug that size, and the design is more conducive to penetration. At about $18 for a box of ten, I think they are a fairly good deal.

The brennke's (sp?) I ordered were only $22. Decent price IMO.

 

[squirrelnuttz]

Those Slugs r Us units look like a good slug. I have tried only the Lee 1 oz, and and the Lyman 525 gr. sabot slug cast in pure lead. I think that the broad flat front,weight,power and economy of these slugs is a solid choice. Fed or Win. AA trap hulls (plentiful and cheap) and Blue Dot, as well as SR4756, 5% reduced for plinking, and full house loads for general use.I use a rifled barrel, though they work just fine out of a smoothbore. Honest cloverleafs at 50 yds with irons.The shotgun shoots better than I can hold.The economy of handloads allows somewhere in the 5-1 ratio (rounds-$).That's a lot of plinking. You must expect some recoil with 12 g. slug loads, especially in the full house loads, but the ability to slightly reduce the charge and recoil for practice is a real bonus.The above 1 1/4 oz. slug with a stout powder charge is potent medicine for the largest of predators.

 

[TheCoachZed]

All things being equal, my first choice Brenneke, second choice Challenger, and any shells loaded with fosters is my third choice.

Recovered Brennekes with a foster for comparison:

Challenger:

Recovered from what?

Watched a documentary on Heivo Korvath ... some of you may have seen it. It's that one done by the hipsters from Ohio, and the bear comes into their camp in the middle of the night.

Korvath's solution? A long-barreled pump gun with load of foster slugs.

I would never dispute that more expensive slugs work better at long range - I'm sure they do. But I wouldn't poo-poo the effects of 1 oz of lead coming at you at close range, no matter what its configuration.

Maybe that wasn't your point. If so, I apoligize.

From personal experience shooting black bears - the old 1 oz foster slugs are dead medicine up close.