Marlin 512

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys-been exploring the idea of a dedicated (smoothbore) slug gun. I once set-up an old Wingmaster for this, smoothbore/rifle sight barrel but that gun had an identity crisis. Mag extension or no, 28" VR barrel for clays/RF barrel for slug fun... Whatever it was wearing when I reached for it was usually not what I wanted to use that day.

So, in my reading came across a model I'd never heard of, the Marlin 512 "Slugmaster?". By all accounts, an exaggerated-looking bolt-action and a bit of a tank. Makes me even more curious. lol Normally when I find out about a domestically made gun that has been around a while, you can usually spot one here/there on the used market-even in Canada. This is the second time a Marlin has me stumped. (other is a "Midget Magnum" 22WMR)

https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/marlin-model-512-slugmaster.612689/

So, unfamiliar to me...and maybe not many/any in Canada? Wondering what you guys know about these and if you have one, did you get it new...impressions? Worth chasing down?

thanks!
 
That's a new one... but can't say I've spent much time looking at dedicated slug gun.
- The only one I got to play with was Browning A-Bolt in 12g. Not only was it pretty nice looking, it seemed to shoot pretty good with just about everything and anything (over reloads of .690 round ball)

Browning-A-Bolt-Shotgun-12-GA_100846533_331_C50C80F50A42680D.jpg
 
^Another model I've never heard of=awesome!

Yeah, I like oddball stuff...and something like a Savage 220 would probably make the most sense if this had a practical application tied to it. For now, wondering if I can find something older/interesting with iron sights.
 
sillymike said:
Probably be a silly question... but... if you want a dedicated slug gun, why would you go with a smooth bore instead of a rifled barrel?

And if you are considering older (interesting) gun... why not go all out... and opt for a paradox SxS :)
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It's a good question. The 512 is as much about the gun itself, with only target/reactive targets in mind. I have what I need if I want to chase tight groups on paper, this will be something to drag out when I've had my fill of 50 yard, 22LR/bench shooting. My shoulder can't take slugs like it used to, so a few shots here/there. Big bore on a budget, kind of?
 
Older Mossberg and Stevens bolt action smoothbores had sights. I've had great results with the mossbergs and challenger slugs. Even my reloaded Lee key drive slugs shot well enough to be coyote lethal to past 50 yards

Most American companies made a bolt action smoothbore at one time or another
 
sillymike said:
Understand, shooting the odd slugs is kind of good to shake-off the lethargy.
- I have ever have more $ than brain, I'd love one of these... to go on ground hog safari!

weber-simson-paradox-082309.jpg
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lol...looks nice! And yeah...it's funny looking at my range kit for days like that out in a field. Portable shooting bench, umbrella, folding chair, heavy bags, 22s and ammo, range finder, target stand and a 12ga. just because. lol
 
sillymike said:
Probably be a silly question... but... if you want a dedicated slug gun, why would you go with a smooth bore instead of a rifled barrel?

And if you are considering older (interesting) gun... why not go all out... and opt for a paradox SxS :)
Click to expand...
Not a silly question at all, but I think it depends upon what you want to do with the gun. If I were buying an "ultimate" slug hunting shotgun, it would be rifled, scoped and generally treated and shot like a rifle. But it would also be costing 5 or 6 bucks per shot...:(

I moved to a rifle zone years ago, and almost immediately I sold my several rifled shotguns. Haven't hunted with a slug since then. But...I still have a number of smooth-bore shotguns that are used strictly for fun shooting with plain Foster slugs, the cheaper the better. Gongs, icicles, post-Hallowe'en pumpkins, milk jugs...reactive targets are fun with anything, but they're especially fun with a big ol' slug. :)
 
jjohnwm said:
Not a silly question at all, but I think it depends upon what you want to do with the gun. If I were buying an "ultimate" slug hunting shotgun, it would be rifled, scoped and generally treated and shot like a rifle. But it would also be costing 5 or 6 bucks per shot...:(

I moved to a rifle zone years ago, and almost immediately I sold my several rifled shotguns. Haven't hunted with a slug since then. But...I still have a number of smooth-bore shotguns that are used strictly for fun shooting with plain Foster slugs, the cheaper the better. Gongs, icicles, post-Hallowe'en pumpkins, milk jugs...reactive targets are fun with anything, but they're especially fun with a big ol' slug. :)
Click to expand...

And you can still shoot birdshot and buckshot effectively with such a gun ......
 
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