what type of slug for a slug gun

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mikeJ

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I just bought a new 12 Gauge Remington 870 Super Slug Gun, It has a rifled barrel. I want to know if I have to use Sabot Slugs in this gun.

I have read on other forums that some guys just use regular rifled slugs in their slug guns because the Sabot Slugs are too pricey.

I also think the Sabot Slugs are too expensive but I do not want to ruin a new gun with the wrong ammo.

I am hoping that an experienced Shot gunner can help me out here.

Thanks
 
Rifled barrels use sabotted slugs
Smooth barrels use rifled slugs.

It doesn't get much simpler than that.

I make my own slugs for my 12 and 20 gauge rifled barrels. Lots of fun to shoot.
 
Slugs like the brenneke gold 3" are for rifled barrels only and are not saboted. Rio star and challenger both make a similar slug capable for both barrel types

I reload lee drive key slugs for my rifled barreled scattergun. Read the labels on the slug box. Sabots may be expensive but how often are you going to use them?

Challenger slugs are usually $15 for 10 slugs. Very accurate and hammer deer
 
I've shot sabbots and rifled slugs out of my 870 rifled barrel...and my #### didn't fall off. :D

The way it's been explained to me is that lead is softer than steel, and cannot possibly damage the rifling inside the barrel. It makes sense to me.

I don't shoot slugs often at all, and haven't even zeroed the iron sights on that barrel, so I have no idea about the accuracy of sabbots vs rifled.
 
From my understanding lead can gunk up the rifling if not cleaned properly. The barrel was designed for sabot slugs and will perform much much much better with that then a foster style slug. If leading occurs it will most certainly affect the accuracy (negatively lol) of a regular sabot going through you're barrel.

Its like a hunting rifle, buy the ammo in your case sabots, sight it in, and always have a pre season practice and make sure shes ready to go before you head out, cause I sure as hell cant afford plinking with my 8mm Mauser and commercial hunting ammo at 32$ a box of 20. Oh why oh why I don't get something like a 3030, that just might be my next purchase! These surplus used firearms I pick up for good deals aren't cheap to feed... .303, 8mm Mauser, 6.5x55 etc.
 
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Winchester Rack Master slugs are for either barrel type, and cheaper then sabots.

Sabot's are best though, but challengers or rackmasters will be just fine
 
I guess I will go to Nanaimo tomorrow and pick up some sabots to get started and sight in. I will also get some of the dual purpose slugs that were mentioned. I already have regular slugs and I will probably try some of them as well.

Question for tbrwlf: How much does it cost you to produce a 12g sabot slug?

Thanks very much to everyone who replied.
 
cptseawolf said:
Winchester Rack Master slugs are for either barrel type, and cheaper then sabots.

Sabot's are best though, but challengers or rackmasters will be just fine
Click to expand...

Ever cut one of those Rackmasters open? I bought three boxes of them because they we "on sale" for $8/box. I got them home and I got real curious as to what makes them so special to be advertised to work in both types of barrels. All they appear to be is their regular rifled slug [$15/15] with a plastic wad behind the slug. The Rackmaster slug is actually 4 grains LIGHTER than the grey box rifled slug. That could be due to the fancy little hex-shaped hollow point in it.

Will they kill deer? I have little doubt that they will, but I also doubt that they kill any better than their cheaper "Value pack" offering. I'm sure they work great on game, I'm just torqued that they cost significantly more than the grey box ones and I got suckered into buying them.

I've also been told that you can shoot rifled slugs out of rifled barrels, it's just that lead buildup may become an issue.

FWIW, I use the Federal $10/box HP sabot slugs in my Mossberg's rifled barrel and they seem to shoot great

Good luck with whatever you end up using.
 
Look at casting your own slugs. I cast the Lyman 525 grain Sabot slug which fits inside a shotcup, and get decent accuracy out to 100 yards using my Rem 870 with rifled barrel. Think they work out to less than 0.20c each.

But as with even factory slugs do they ever let you know... After 25 of them pushed with a heavy dose of WSF/BD, then I need to go and lay down. ;)
 
Well I'll ad my 2 cents here.

You have bought a great gun, one of my hunting buddies bought the same gun. He is getting at 150 yards, 2-3" groupings with sabots (I think accutips). Was very impressed with that gun. I wish I could find a stock system like that for my BPS. You would be wise to use sabots, and pratice with that gun. Once you have it sighted in, I don't think you will be spending much money on shells after you sight in it. So you have a bit of a up front cost to sight in, but I think the accuracy will pay for itself.
 
I used the federal premium sabots in my 870 this year and dropped a nice doe in her tracks. I was using the remington accutips before but ended up having to track the deer which I prefer to avoid. $15-18 for 5 shells is pricey but I dont think I've ever used more than 5 in a deer season, including 3 to sight in.
 
Check Box 'o Truth on the subject.

Sounds like Sabot slugs can offer better terminal ballistics

Both Sabot and Rifled shoot well out of a rifled barrel

Sabot shoot terribly out of smooth-bore

Rifled slugs out of a rifled barrel = potential for lead fouling

All from a million and one internet searches, no practical experience with rifled.

-Scott
 
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