Smooth bore vs rifled bore for slugs?

[Six Star]

Is there any advantage/disadvantage between shooting rifled slugs from a smoothbore barrel vs shooting non-rifled slugs from a rifled barrel?
(I know nothing about shotguns..don't like particularly like them...hence the glaring gap in my gun education).
I have an 870 Express "Deer Gun" with a smoothbore 20" barrel which will go "fishing" with me next weekend in case Mr. Bear shows up. A rifled barrel for slugs makes more sense to me.

 

[Levi Garrett]

Rifled is for sabots more accurate also

 

[Minshall]

yeah with the sabots you can pretty much achieve the same accuracy was todays muzzleloaders. Pretty good out to 200 yards

 

[IntelGDR691]

Smooth bore= 50m with conventionnal slugs. After that, it is beginning to be erratic.

 

[Ardent]

Smooth bore= 50m with conventionnal slugs. After that, it is beginning to be erratic.

Not in my experience, both my since sold 1300 Defender and my 870 like the Winchester 2 3/4" rifled slugs, can break a clay at 100 yards no problem. (I use sights on my shotties though too). My rifle sighted smoothbore 870 will even hit reasonably accurately at 200, albeit with a healthy drop.

 

[Ardent]

...but for your purposes Six Star, smoothbore is the way to go, more versatility, you can shoot good buck patterns then too. PLENTY accurate for bear defence ranges (under 15 feet likely, if you're lucky, under 5 if not ) Heck your 870 should hit at least paper plates at 100. Not much more required for its role...

 

[IntelGDR691]

Your right Ardent, but in the kind of work i do, we only allow the 870P to be used at a maximum of 50 yards (perimeter weapon ex: hostage taking, barricaded person...etc) The P's were using carry the remington usual rifle sights. 50 yards when there is stress, low light, moving target(s), rules of engagement (etc.) is way beyong the average capacities of a lot of people.

It is different than brown bear defense, but both can be f*** dangerous...!

 

[Six Star]

Thanks guys! Very much appreciated....looks like I'm good to go with my 870 with smooth bore & rifle sights.
One more quick question; 2 3/4" or 3" slugs?

 

[Levi Garrett]

I would go 2.75 " as it will cycle easier

 

[Waterfowler]

2.75" slugs is plenty.

I think a good rule of them is that if you are going to use a scope, go with a rifled barrel and sabots. If just using open sights go with a smoothbore and brenneke type slugs.

 

[Ardent]

2 3/4" is certainly sufficient. Better shot recovery, and plenty of thump.

 

[Six Star]

Thanks again, guys....Although I own 2 shotguns, I've probably fired no more than half a dozen shells from a shotgun in my entire life. All 59 years of it.
The 870 Express Deer Gun (20" smooth bore with rifle sights) will go with me, along with a box of 2 3/4" slugs.

 

[dlau]

What choke could/should you use with the 870's standard 28" barrel when using the 2 3/4" slugs?

 

[Minshall]

with rifled slugs usually an improved it better

 

[cereal83]

Just buy a rifled barrel, I did and now I can use anytime of slug and all I have to do it switch the barrel

 

[SuperCub]

I just bought a rifled cantilever bbl for my 870SP. Plan on putting a new Weaver 1x3 on it.

What brand/type of slug is a good place to start?


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