Sighting in a slug gun.

[Skinnywater]

I was very lucky to draw a late season buck hunt on some newly opened federal land along the Sacramento river. The method of take is either bow or shotgun with a slug.
My shotgun is an Mossberg 835 accumag in camo.
I just bought a smoothbore/ported slugbarrel (with rifle sights)and was lucky enough to match the camo pattern.
This weekend I'm going to install and sight-in the new equipment. I haven't bought the ammo yet. Keeping in mind I'm able to use 2-3/4", 3", and 3-1/2" 12 guage rounds.
The bucks are riparian forest fed and larger than average Blacktail (200+lbs.). The hunting terrain ranges from dense jungle to 100yd. (or better) shots.
From what I've gathered the Sabot slug is for slug guns that use a rifled barrel. Mine isn't, so I'm to use a rifled slug. There are copper clad slugs and slugs that come in all 3 sizes.
I could sure use all the input from you bwaunas. I'm really into practicality, such as, if the 3" is as good as the 3-1/2" etc.,etc.
What brand?
Keeping in mind I'm not into injured animals. What is the effective range?
What distance to sight in?
All input is important and links appreciated.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

I swear by these slugs! http://www.dnrws.com/rottweil.html

I used to hunt in a shotgun slug only area and have put alot of meat down with them. Highly effective at 100 yards.

I used 2 3/4" and a smooth slug barrel.

 

[BF]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

hiya,

I've tried rifled slugs through my smooth bores a couple times, but never hunted with em. My 20 ga wouldn't shoot either brands that I tried into a group. I don't think it'd matter much whether you use 2 3/4" or longer. They all throw a huge (maybe the same?) hunk of lead. I'd buy a few different brands and see which one would group. Then, that's the kind I'd use. I'd test accuracy at 100 yds (or maybe even 75), and after that let my ability to group inside an 8" circle determine the maximum range. Even in best case scenario, it'd likely not much more than 100 yds given the trajectory. Make sure try groups off-hand, kneeling, and with some "real life" crosswind to see how well you'd do at hitting the vitals under those "real world" conditions.

Lastly, go and check out this hunting/shooting forum page... lots of good info and helpful folks...

http://www.24hourcampfire.com

good luck

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

I used the Breineke (sp?) rifled slugs before I got a rifle. They are a little pricier by several bucks a box but worth it in my opinion. These are the ones with the felt pad screwed onto the back of them. I could shoot the 2 3/4 out to about 75 yards and feel comfortable doing it. I'm sure that they are effective at that range as they have slayed several BIG hogs that far. It hits them and they just drop, no wait for it to run out of blood, just instant death.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

Yup, That is the link I put in. Brenneke is a slug designed for smooth bores. They do work.... IMO worth the money.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

Brenneke is best in my experience. Just make sure you get a good hit in the vitals. A misplaced shot can tear up a lot of good eating. Hope to get my buck and a couple of does this year if the coyotes don't:devil:

 

[JRJ]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

Good for you on the draw. I'm hunting the C zones in this warm weather. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Gone]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

Another experienced vote for Rottweil Brenneke.
I sight them in for 50 yds and evaluate the drop at 75 and 100 yds. In my area most shots are 50 yds or less. YMMV.

CD.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

Thanks for the input. The links provided provided me with all I needed to know. Without a doubt the Brenneke bullistics are impressive.
I'm having a hard time finding them local and will make an order over whe net for 3-4 boxes. I'll sight-in next weekend.
The Brenneke site/products had the 12guage 3" K.O. and listed a sabot design for the smoothbore. It listed an opitimal sight-in distance @ 87 yds. with barely a 2 in. drop@100yrds...............wow.........nice.
The biggest downside is the slug is 1-1/8 oz. And with any slug there will be a lot of wasted meat.

JRJ, this was your closing weekend, how'd you make out? The G1hunt I'm on starts Oct.28 and runs 8days. I'll be hunting the newly opened Rio Vista unit, Merrill's landing, and Foster Island areas. These are accessed by boat only areas, and are with-in 30 minutes of my home.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

http://www.midwayusa.com/ has them and they are fast shippers. Good people to deal with.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

Excellent Bob, that was perfect.
Used your link to Midway, bought one box of the cheapest Winchester 3" rifled slugs to get me on paper and 3 boxes of the Brenneke.

I'll post the results of my groupings in a week or so.
Appreciate all the help.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

Ouch....a 4inch group at 80 yards was about as good as I could get.
By that time I was walking around that shotgun like it was some pesky critter that just bit me..... It hit like a grown man......Wanna shoot it again?....Naaa....think I'm done till the season.

The Brenneke's seem to have a slightly higher brass than my other shells.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

4" at 80 yards is really not too bad from a smoothbore. Trust me on this a 12 ga. hole will stop a deer almost anywhere in the body. I used to concentrate on a front shoulder shot. The pain you had felt will not even be a concern and you will not feel it when a big buck crosses your sights.

Now the ache you will feel after dragging out a big dead buck will hurt more.

 

[Deimus]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

I had the same problem sighting in my mossberg for a slug only hunt(gray lodge) . I put a red dot @x pistol scope on mine and got it in 3" at100. suck it up and get a few more rounds thruogh it. I did a second day and the huge 4x4 on my wall was well worth it!!8)

 

[Deimus]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

thats 2 power not @X

 

[Deimus]

Re: Sighting in a slug gun.

Did you have any luck on your hunt?