Rifled Slug Accuracy

[arnott1t]

I'm looking to get my first white tail deer this season and was hoping to do it with my brand new rifle but I can't seem to afford that gun. So my plan is to see if I can nab one via my shotgun. I have a rem 870 express mag. I have full, mod and imp. cyl chokes. I am wondering what kind of accuracy is reasonable. Keep in mind it has only a bead front site and this will also be my first time slugging. I do plan on firing 50 or more slugs through it before hand to get used to it and practice up. What type of groups should I aim to get in my practice. Also whats a reasonable slug to use. Not to expensive but still performs well.

Thanks,

 

[poweredbybeer]

If I had to hunt with smoothbore slugs, I'd use the Challenger 2.75" slugs;

(available from SIR mailorder, $14.75 for 10), because the slug design is the same as the "dangerous game" slugs available from ballistic products inc;

If you're set up to reload, ie; if you have a Lee LoadAll II and a pile of spare hulls, trap wads and primers, you should look into these;

They're Lyman 525 gr. slugs, designed to fit inside a standard trap wad. You can probably buy them pre-cast from somewhere, or you can buy the mold and cast your own.

As far as accuracy, you'll probably get the best groups with cylinder or improved cylinder chokes. If you can get your hands on a rifled choke tube that'll be even better, and you can use sabot slugs for even greater accuracy. The best I've been able to get is 3" @ 100 yards from an old Stevens 58 bolt action shotgun, with cylinder choke. That's more than minute-of-deer-lung, and in fact anything less than 5" @ 100 yards will take deer.

Hope that helps!