Question regarding ballistics and ethos of sabot slugs

[macds]

This past week during our controlled shotgun (deer) hunt, I fell victim in retrospect, to an ethics question.

I had a group of does walk out at approximately 300 yards. We were having a tough week, and with the prospect of some meat on the table, I took upon myself a string of questionable shots.

I am here to try to educate myself.
I do routinely practice at varying ranges so I can get the feel, often out to 500 yards on steel with varying wind conditions.
Own an old Mossberg 500a with a newer rifled barrel. Optic is a bushnell trs-25 red dot. Shells are federal power shok 2.75" sabots. I've found these to be incredibly accurate out of my shotgun.

I selected the largest doe from the group, and took a shot guessing elevation based on estimated range. First two shots were both 6" high and then low, but windage was spot on. (Deer continued to stand still, could see splashdown in the fresh snow).
Third and only shot that connected was a spine that instantly dropped the animal. (ranged at 285 yards afterwards)

I've been thinking about it, and I regret taking those shots. The last thing I want is to end up wounding an animal.
Tried looking up ballistics info on the federal website, but they only list out to 120 yards.

Im curious if at 300 yards, that slug would still have the ballistics to take down a deer ethically? I'm comfortable with making the shot, it the "will it perform" factor that has me wondering.

Thanks for the input.

 

[galamb]

I threw some numbers into the Hornady calculator.

Using the Fed 2 3/4" Sabot Hollow Point with a 438 slug with a muzzle velocity of 1500 fps.

So at 200 yards the velocity is 1044 fps and energy is 1060 ft pds - the trajectory if sighted at 100 is -21.9"

at 250 yards the velocity is 986 fps, energy 946 ft pds and trajectory would be -44.2"

at 300 yards the velocity is 939 fps, energy 858 ft pds and trajectory would be -75.5"

I would personally consider 858 pounds to be "ethical" but it's not a shot I would ever take.

 

[TheTooner]

This past week during our controlled shotgun (deer) hunt, I fell victim in retrospect, to an ethics question.

I had a group of does walk out at approximately 300 yards. We were having a tough week, and with the prospect of some meat on the table, I took upon myself a string of questionable shots.

...

I've been thinking about it, and I regret taking those shots. The last thing I want is to end up wounding an animal.
....

You were there and you took those shots. If you think they were "questionable", I'm taking your word for it. If you don't want to experience that feeling again, don't take those shots that you haven't practised enough to be certain of them.

 

[atr]

You had an unsuccessful hunt because what you did was unethical . Next year try to be a sportsman and a hunter instead of some fool who needs to kill something at all costs . You have no idea how much you gave for the wind as you have no idea how fast the wind was blowing and the exact effect on the slug and no idea of how much you held over unless you consult a ballistic chart and then claim you had it memorized and your eyes are better and more accurate than any laser range finder . I'd suggest practicing the hail Mary shots on road signs and equipment in farmers fields . Maybe check Ebay or Amazon to see if anyone is selling ethics . I don't know how much they are as mine were free .

 

[macds]

Im curious if at 300 yards, that slug would still have the ballistics to take down a deer ethically? I'm comfortable with making the shot, it the "will it perform" factor that has me wondering.

Thanks for the input.

You were there and you took those shots. If you think they were "questionable", I'm taking your word for it. If you don't want to experience that feeling again, don't take those shots that you haven't practised enough to be certain of them.

I'm comfortable taking the shot, was not sure if the sabot would have ethical KE remaining at that range.
The numbers Galamb posted seem consistent with my experience using THAT particular round.

I must say, I was surprised to find the wound trauma at said range.

Thank you for taking your time to look that up Galamb

ATR, Im sorry you feel offended by my post. I do find your response rude. I was not asking if taking the shot itself was unethical, as much as does it poses the kinetic energy to get the job done.
I see more than my fair share of range time.
If I can consistently hit a 16" target at 4-500 yards with a slug gun and a red dot, I'm willing to bet that I wound far fewer deer than your average hunter that shoots only during the hunt.