So I’ve been contemplating what to use for hiking the bush during the day in deer season. Realistically only really see grouse during the day so that would be the main target but would hate if a deer came out and I had nothing that would dispatch it. I know the distance will be limited to probably 50-75yards but that won’t limit too many of the shots in the trails I walk. Figure either leave one barrel with a slug and the IC choke or put in a slug of a deer comes by. My other thoughts are subsonic 45/70’s for the grouse (head shots) in my 1895 SBL then I’d have an effective range of around 150 yards comfortably on deer with the full power loads. What’s peoples experience with slugs in over unders? My over under is a Beretta Essential with 28” barrels and screw in chokes rated for steel shot.
Slugs in over under?
- Thread starter Cletus26
- Start date
The two barrels in over under might shoot slugs to different point of aims.
I have a side by side Hugly ... and each barrel shoots to a different point of aim.
As long as you use only one of the barrels for slugs .... and you know the point of aim for that barrel and how to compensate if needed ... and you know the max range to be able to reliably hit the vitals .... then you are good to go .... I would say ...
But you will only know by testing that gun with slugs at different ranges ....
I have a side by side Hugly ... and each barrel shoots to a different point of aim.
As long as you use only one of the barrels for slugs .... and you know the point of aim for that barrel and how to compensate if needed ... and you know the max range to be able to reliably hit the vitals .... then you are good to go .... I would say ...
But you will only know by testing that gun with slugs at different ranges ....
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Shoot each barrel with each choke up to a full choke and use the one with the best poa/poi out to your max practical distance, like patterning shot but with slugs. Whichever barrel and choke combo shoots the most accurate is your winner.
Thanks. Ya I’m planning on only one barrel. Will definitely be doing some testing to find which has better POI. I was thinking only cylinder and improved cylinder. Think the tighter ones are ok to use with slugs? Planning on rifled slugs (not sabots) as that’s what’s recommended for smooth bores.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I've taken deer with my side by side 12 gauge using the old foster slug with no issues. Considering it's a cheap Baikal Full/modified, I was surprised how close to point of aim the two barrels are.
There is a Krieghoff .22 insert on the EE right now for 12ga. I run one in my 16ga drilling and it is perfect for plinking grouse.
I inquired on that but with a new born at home it’s been suggested by mama I may not need any new guns right now (in the past year I have added 4) lol. That’s what got me weighing my options for the time being. I’m gonna try to get the slugs poi figured out and see what kind of consistency I can get with the bead sites. My other thought is an inexpensive pellet pistol in a holster for grouse which is quieter too then just carry one of my rifles. Still spit balling ideas.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
You can safely shoot foster style of slugs through anything up to a full choke, I always try to find a choke that gives me a nice shot pattern as well as good 50y slug accuracy. In one it’s a mod choke in another it’s a full. I’m not restricted to shotgun only zones so if I’m out small game hunting and I happen to see a deer I know I’m able to hit the vitals out to 50-60y with a slug.
Cyl or Imp cyl might very well give you good poi but try them all and you might also end up with a good slug and shot combo in that barrel, one of the reasons I love shotguns.
Now for dialing in one of the barrels I’m assuming I can expect the POI to be generally the same regardless of choke for each barrel. Example- few shots out of each barrel to find which has the preferred general point of impact then test the different chokes in that barrel? I have some Remington Sluggers that I’ll use for the initial tests then switch to something else for grouping as Remington doesn’t exist any more. Thoughts on this?
Different slugs will shoot to different point of aim in each barrel.
Here is an example .... all four slugs were shot out of the same gun/barrel/choke ... and without any sight adjustments.
(870 Police with rifle sights and fixed IC, smoothbore)
Here is an example .... all four slugs were shot out of the same gun/barrel/choke ... and without any sight adjustments.
(870 Police with rifle sights and fixed IC, smoothbore)
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- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Yup, if I want to shoot a specific slug that’s the one I sight in test chokes with. I already have a couple brands that shoot well in my shotguns so it helps to with wasting ammo.
I notice more with regards to slug group size with choke selection than poa/poi change in my specific barrels with Challengers and Black Goose slugs, both brands are close to each other in mv and projectile weights and shoot similar accuracy.
I notice more with regards to slug group size with choke selection than poa/poi change in my specific barrels with Challengers and Black Goose slugs, both brands are close to each other in mv and projectile weights and shoot similar accuracy.
Thanks. I only have 25 sluggers so they’re basically going to be for screwing around then. No point in figuring out what works well with them since I’ll be out by the time it’s figured. I’ll see what I can find for slugs and just stick with what’s available.
