Different types of shot for a jc higgins model 20

[slushee]

Just getting into shooting this year, so forgive any silly questions..

I inherited my fathers old JC Higgins Model 20 shotgun .. takes 12 ga. 2 3/4" shells ... My father gave me some old slugs he used to shoot through it and they all shot fine.

I went out to buy new slugs/shot for my shotgun, and I bought 12ga. 2 3/4" Federal Power-Shok Rifled slugs and 00 Buckshot (5 of each).

When I came home, I realized that they show on the side:

12 ga. Magnum, 2 3/4", 70mm, 1 1/4oz rifled slugs

and

12 ga. Magnum, 2 3/4", 70mm, 12 pellet 00 Buck

The slugs I shot through my shotgun so far were only 1 oz. slugs ... so my question is, are these shells safe to shoot through my shotgun? Also, is there a difference between 12ga and 12ga Magnum?? I thought a 2 3/4" shell was a 2 3/4" shell .. but I honestly am getting confused between the different shot shells and slugs there are on the market...

Just so u know, I do not intend to do anything other then put holes in paper .. no hunting or home defence .. just general slug plinking at the gun range. I bought the shot just to see the difference in shooting slugs over shot at 25-50 yards.

Thanks for your help!

 

[12magnum]

as long as the gun is in decent shape, which it likely is , 2 3/4 " magnums are perfectly safe to shoot. there are many different shell, slug,buck shot and bird shot combinations. the only determing factor is chamber length. as long as you stay with 2 3/4 " shells you're fine. if you buy steel shot then it is worth your while to determine the choke of your shotgun and its age. it may even be worth a trip to your local gunsmith and have it checked over. good luck

 

[slushee]

as long as the gun is in decent shape, which it likely is , 2 3/4 " magnums are perfectly safe to shoot. there are many different shell, slug,buck shot and bird shot combinations. the only determing factor is chamber length. as long as you stay with 2 3/4 " shells you're fine. if you buy steel shot then it is worth your while to determine the choke of your shotgun and its age. it may even be worth a trip to your local gunsmith and have it checked over. good luck

father 4 months ago took it to a local gun smith to him who certified it as in 100% good condition. The gun has a fixed cyl. bore choke .. as in no choke .. which is why i'm okay with shooting slugs through it.

thanks for the info regarding magnum shells. I thought the regular shells had a bit of a kick, so i'm a bit hesitant to shoot these new monsters

On a side note, I heard rumours (albiet probably wrong) that steel shot may not be the best for all barrels out there .. I decided that I would just steer clear of steel shot 'just in case' since I have no reason to shoot anything other then lead.

One last question, what are the differences between sabot, rifled or any other kinda slugs?

 

[12magnum]

a sabot slug is slug encased in plastic to be used in a rifled slug barrel. a rifled slud,where the rifling is actually on the slug itself, is meant to be used in a smooth bore with no rifling, as is a regular shotgun barrel. with a cylinder barrel there really shouldn't be any problem with steel shot,even if the gun is older and it's not shot a huge amount.but since your target shooting you might as well stay with lead regular loaded shells and they are cheaper to boot.the magnum shell is a hunting load, that really isn't needed for hunting with bird shot. you're good to go.enjoy