Rifled And Non Rifled Slugs What's The Difference?
- Thread starter Kasey83
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Rifled slugs are just that, rifled, they have rifling in them to try and add spin to the slug to compensate for the smooth bore (non rifled) of the shotgun.
I haven't seen many (if any) non rifled slugs unless they were referring to sabot slugs, which are meant for shotguns with rifled barrels.
The only time I have seen non-rifled, non-sabot slugs are ones that have been cast by hand for reloading.
All to say, if you have a smooth barrel, you should be shooting rifled slugs.
Okay thanks just wanted to make sure it wasn't for a rifled barrel Like the sabot slugs you referred to are.
By the way the term "magnum" what does that mean? does it make any big difference or advantage? Or are all 3" shells magnum now?
Finally my manual says 500 Models are 2 3/4" (2 1/2" .410 bore) is that different then standard 2 3/4"?
By the way the term "magnum" what does that mean? does it make any big difference or advantage? Or are all 3" shells magnum now?
Finally my manual says 500 Models are 2 3/4" (2 1/2" .410 bore) is that different then standard 2 3/4"?
Magnum denotes loaded to higher power/velocity.
If your shotgun is labelled 2 3/4", please do not shoot 3" shells out of it.
I assume it means that 500 models are all 2 3/4", except .410 models are 2 1/2"
Standard shells in most shotguns are 2-3/4"
Standard shells in a .410 are only 2-1/2"
".410 bore" is the proper nomenclature since it's defining bore diameter and not gauge. "12 gauge" is the proper name for a 12 gauge since it is using the equal lead ball method of definition. A 12 gauge could also be called a ".729 bore". The old British method of calling what we know as a 12 gauge a "12 bore" was incorrect nomenclature.
Also people who say .410 bore is 36 gauge are only repeating a flawed marketing thing Remington did many years ago that was actually wrong. .410 bore is closer to 67 gauge or somewhere around there.
In the world of 12 and 20 gauge (and 16?):
"Magnum" shells are 3" in length
"Super Magnum" shells are 3-1/2" in length
I've never heard of "magnum" 2-3/4" shells and it would be a huge misnomer since every manufacturer I know of defines "magnum" as being 3" shells for 12 and 20 gauge. It does NOT denote a more powerful loading but only a longer shell length. Most 3" shells are more powerful than 2-3/4" shells but it isn't required for them to be called "magnum" shells. Only the length is required for that title.
The reason your manual mentions .410 bore is probably because it's a universal manual for all guages/bores of the same model. If your shotgun isn't a .410 bore then you ignore the mention of it. It is only put in specifically because it is different from all other gauges of shotshells in terms of standard length.
The rifling on shotgun slugs adds a bit of a spiral to the flight path and not a true spin. It works to even out inconsistencies in the balance of the slug so instead of hitting 4' off in a random direction it will spiral within the same 6" area. It serves a double purpose of also working as a crush zone for when firing the slug through tighter chokes. The ribs on the sides that act sort of like rifling also crush far more easily than the main body of the slug if it's forced through a choke tighter than it is in diameter. Some people also mention how it reduces barrel contact so reduces friction but I don't know about that either way so can't really comment. If you fire sabots designed for a rifled barrel through a smooth bore they tend to tumble and keyhole. Rifled slugs in a rifled barrel can run into issues if the rifling rates don't match. You can end up with the rifling in the barrel tearing at the slug and causing leading and very poor accuracy.
Standard shells in a .410 are only 2-1/2"
".410 bore" is the proper nomenclature since it's defining bore diameter and not gauge. "12 gauge" is the proper name for a 12 gauge since it is using the equal lead ball method of definition. A 12 gauge could also be called a ".729 bore". The old British method of calling what we know as a 12 gauge a "12 bore" was incorrect nomenclature.
Also people who say .410 bore is 36 gauge are only repeating a flawed marketing thing Remington did many years ago that was actually wrong. .410 bore is closer to 67 gauge or somewhere around there.
In the world of 12 and 20 gauge (and 16?):
"Magnum" shells are 3" in length
"Super Magnum" shells are 3-1/2" in length
I've never heard of "magnum" 2-3/4" shells and it would be a huge misnomer since every manufacturer I know of defines "magnum" as being 3" shells for 12 and 20 gauge. It does NOT denote a more powerful loading but only a longer shell length. Most 3" shells are more powerful than 2-3/4" shells but it isn't required for them to be called "magnum" shells. Only the length is required for that title.
The reason your manual mentions .410 bore is probably because it's a universal manual for all guages/bores of the same model. If your shotgun isn't a .410 bore then you ignore the mention of it. It is only put in specifically because it is different from all other gauges of shotshells in terms of standard length.
The rifling on shotgun slugs adds a bit of a spiral to the flight path and not a true spin. It works to even out inconsistencies in the balance of the slug so instead of hitting 4' off in a random direction it will spiral within the same 6" area. It serves a double purpose of also working as a crush zone for when firing the slug through tighter chokes. The ribs on the sides that act sort of like rifling also crush far more easily than the main body of the slug if it's forced through a choke tighter than it is in diameter. Some people also mention how it reduces barrel contact so reduces friction but I don't know about that either way so can't really comment. If you fire sabots designed for a rifled barrel through a smooth bore they tend to tumble and keyhole. Rifled slugs in a rifled barrel can run into issues if the rifling rates don't match. You can end up with the rifling in the barrel tearing at the slug and causing leading and very poor accuracy.
You're wrong there, there are plenty of 2 3/4" magnum loadings.
Here's an example, top right corner:
h ttp://www.lebaron.ca/pdf_files_fall12/win_slugs_buck.pdf
antiqueguy
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- windsor ontario
the "rifling" on the rifled slugs does nothing but help it go through chokes theres a place for the lead to go in to the grooves of the "rifling"
what makes normal slugs stabilize is the weight forward of the slug thay are just foster slugs with grooves cut into them
of corse theres other types of weight forward slugs like the brenneke these also had "rifling" cut into them
the rifling was a gimmick at one point and it still is now but "rifled" slugs are what you want for a smooth bore shotgun
what makes normal slugs stabilize is the weight forward of the slug thay are just foster slugs with grooves cut into them
of corse theres other types of weight forward slugs like the brenneke these also had "rifling" cut into them
the rifling was a gimmick at one point and it still is now but "rifled" slugs are what you want for a smooth bore shotgun
They're calling them magnum loads in the description. Not magnum length shells. You're right that they are using the word magnum to denote a more powerful load though.
Since it's safe to fire any 2-3/4" shells in a 3" chamber I suppose it's fairly safe but it's still a tad of a misnomer. Marketing terminology and technical nomenclature are in conflict in that example and can lead to confusion. I've never met a single person that when they say "magnum 12 gauge" when describing a gun they aren't referring to a 3" shell.
If you check out high speed footage of rifled slugs they actually do take on about a 6" spiral pattern. Smooth sided (cast) slugs tend to wobble a bit but don't take a regular spiral pattern like rifled slugs do. They are both nose heavy drag stabilized as that is what the foster design does.
The extra length of a Brenneke slug due to the fibre wad screwed into it means it stabilizes much better and flies much straighter without spin. It's far more expensive but is a superior design.
There are also the weird spiral slugs that have two big slanted fins that add true spin to the slug from air resistance. I have no idea how well they work and have only seen them sold as component slugs for reloading.
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
who about the slug for the old greener police guns it had a hollow center with fins in it
this was made to spin the slug idk if it worked
Depends on the hardness of the slug. Most factory slugs are pure or near pure lead and are very soft. They can easily go through even full chokes. I would avoid extra full turkey chokes though.
Harder slugs made from other alloys (usually handloads but sometimes can be found from the factory) don't deform as easily and usually list the maximum recommended choke on the package if factory. I believe there where some Brenneke slugs made for bear defence that where recommended no tighter than modified choke because of the hardness of the alloy.
Generally, the only chokes that aren't safe to use with slugs are extra-full ones.
A 2-3/4" magnum shotshell carries a heavier shot payload than a standard shell of the same length. For example, standard 2-3/4" 00 buck loads are 9 pellet, whereas magnum loads of the same length use 12 pellets. I believe that this terminology existed prior to 3" shotshells becoming commonplace.
A 2-3/4" magnum shotshell carries a heavier shot payload than a standard shell of the same length. For example, standard 2-3/4" 00 buck loads are 9 pellet, whereas magnum loads of the same length use 12 pellets. I believe that this terminology existed prior to 3" shotshells becoming commonplace.
