Private Skidmarks
Member
- Location
- Kitchener, ON
Hello All,
After receiving conflicting opinions and ambiguous answers concerning the accuracy and viability of using a rifled choke tube for deer, I had to try it for myself and here are the results. The setup that was available was a Browning Gold Fusion semi-auto in 12 Ga using only the stock HiViz fiber optic front sight. The rifled choke tube is Browning's Express Sabot which is available for about $90.00 at most sporting goods stores.
The 12 Ga slugs chosen for this experiment were selected based on the manufacturer's recommendations as being suitable for rifled choke tubes. They are:
1. Remington's Managed Recoil Buckhammer, a 2-3/4" X 1-1/8 oz. slug which has a MV of 1350 FPS.
2. Winchester's BRI Sabot Slug which is a 2-3/4 X 1 oz 50cal. projectile, also leaving the barrel at 1350 FPS.
3. Challenger's Magnum 2-3/4" X 1-1/8 oz. slug with a MV of 1610 FPS.
None of these loads were actually chronographed, muzzle velocities are as claimed on the box.
I began at 25yds just to see if I could put them on paper. Previous experience with my Dad's old Stevens 12 ga (with a Polychoke) had trouble with that range. The first two hits with the Remington Buckhammers put two nice clean holes about 1" to the left of center with one hitting 2" high, the other right on the elevation aimpoint. So far, not bad. Next I tried the Winchester BRI's at the same target. Their points of impact were sandwiched between the Buckhammers, also 1" to the left of center. This was definitely a good sign! I should point out that the only sighting device on the Browning was the triangular shaped HiViz sight at the front with the rib for rear alignment.
My next two shots at 25 yds were with the Challengers and if you view the picture, you will note that I used a different aimpoint so that I would not mess up the results. They impacted about 3" low and 2" to the left of the red dot aimpoint, touching. Since this test went well, I moved on to the 50yd range.
In the target above, I fired two shots of Remington Buckhammers and they hit about 1-1/2" left and 1" low of the aimpoint and the Challengers grouped at 3" low and 3" left of the aimpoint. And both groups were touching. That kind of consistancy is very encouraging. Now, if one was bent on using Challengers, a sighting device that allowed for windage and elevation adjustments would be necessary. However, in my case I will simply use either a BRI or Buckhammer because they shoot to point of aim. Up to 50yds and I could hold dead on and up to 100yds, would simply add some minor elevation to hit the vitals of a deer.
The next picture shows the business ends of the slugs used in this test. The slug on the far left (grey) is Winchester's BRI, next is Remington's Buckhammer (green), the Challenger (clear) is next and on the far right is Federal's 3" Magnum with a Barnes Expander (red), "The Flying Shot Glass" shown for comparison, (but not used in this test.)
Since I have not actually tried any of these slugs on a deer, I can't really comment on their effectiveness on game. And I have heard remarks about the Challengers being accurate, but not expanding on impact. But I don't see that as a problem! I think that any hit in the vital zone on a light skinned deer would be effective with any of the slugs tested. A 3/4" hole through and through has got to leave a good blood trail
Cheers!
Private Skidmarks
After receiving conflicting opinions and ambiguous answers concerning the accuracy and viability of using a rifled choke tube for deer, I had to try it for myself and here are the results. The setup that was available was a Browning Gold Fusion semi-auto in 12 Ga using only the stock HiViz fiber optic front sight. The rifled choke tube is Browning's Express Sabot which is available for about $90.00 at most sporting goods stores.
The 12 Ga slugs chosen for this experiment were selected based on the manufacturer's recommendations as being suitable for rifled choke tubes. They are:
1. Remington's Managed Recoil Buckhammer, a 2-3/4" X 1-1/8 oz. slug which has a MV of 1350 FPS.
2. Winchester's BRI Sabot Slug which is a 2-3/4 X 1 oz 50cal. projectile, also leaving the barrel at 1350 FPS.
3. Challenger's Magnum 2-3/4" X 1-1/8 oz. slug with a MV of 1610 FPS.
None of these loads were actually chronographed, muzzle velocities are as claimed on the box.
I began at 25yds just to see if I could put them on paper. Previous experience with my Dad's old Stevens 12 ga (with a Polychoke) had trouble with that range. The first two hits with the Remington Buckhammers put two nice clean holes about 1" to the left of center with one hitting 2" high, the other right on the elevation aimpoint. So far, not bad. Next I tried the Winchester BRI's at the same target. Their points of impact were sandwiched between the Buckhammers, also 1" to the left of center. This was definitely a good sign! I should point out that the only sighting device on the Browning was the triangular shaped HiViz sight at the front with the rib for rear alignment.
My next two shots at 25 yds were with the Challengers and if you view the picture, you will note that I used a different aimpoint so that I would not mess up the results. They impacted about 3" low and 2" to the left of the red dot aimpoint, touching. Since this test went well, I moved on to the 50yd range.
In the target above, I fired two shots of Remington Buckhammers and they hit about 1-1/2" left and 1" low of the aimpoint and the Challengers grouped at 3" low and 3" left of the aimpoint. And both groups were touching. That kind of consistancy is very encouraging. Now, if one was bent on using Challengers, a sighting device that allowed for windage and elevation adjustments would be necessary. However, in my case I will simply use either a BRI or Buckhammer because they shoot to point of aim. Up to 50yds and I could hold dead on and up to 100yds, would simply add some minor elevation to hit the vitals of a deer.
The next picture shows the business ends of the slugs used in this test. The slug on the far left (grey) is Winchester's BRI, next is Remington's Buckhammer (green), the Challenger (clear) is next and on the far right is Federal's 3" Magnum with a Barnes Expander (red), "The Flying Shot Glass" shown for comparison, (but not used in this test.)
Since I have not actually tried any of these slugs on a deer, I can't really comment on their effectiveness on game. And I have heard remarks about the Challengers being accurate, but not expanding on impact. But I don't see that as a problem! I think that any hit in the vital zone on a light skinned deer would be effective with any of the slugs tested. A 3/4" hole through and through has got to leave a good blood trail
Cheers!
Private Skidmarks
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