12 GA slugs for hogs

[bux-n-dux]

This year early on and into the warmer months I have access to some private land for hog hunting. The owner allows shotgun only. The owner allows very, very few hunters, and it is for population/hog damage control. I talked to a guy who lives and hunts on the property and he says all his shots have been well inside 100 yards, most around 50 yards.

Can anyone with experience recommend some slugs I might use that will do the job on these large pigs? I have several shotguns, ranging from 2 3/4 chambers and fixed chokes to 3" mag guns that accept tubes. I don't have a rifled gun, only smooth bore. I'd ultimately like to use either my 1100 mag or 870 mag, both accept tubes, of which I have improved skeet, improved cylinder, modified and full. Can anyone make a suggestion on choke for slugs as well? Lead slugs are fine on this property.

I know just what to do with a shotgun for birds but am lost on this application. Any suggestions/advice/experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

bux-n-dux

 

[hoytrdye]

buck shot

i got some questions to add-- what about some buck shot on pigs and what kinda barrel would one use?
PS i would go for the pump since it would have less likely chance to get jammed,
you think its a bummer to miss some ducks when your auto gets jammed but think about what might happen if your gun jammed with some unruly hogs coming for you!!!!

 

[Huntr Pat]

You should be using barnes slugs you cant go wrong with them in a rifled barrel. I have my 870 sighted in for 1" @ 100 yds. And it shoots accurate. GOOD luck

 

[m hunter]

use a mod. or improve, dont know if you are in the lead zone but lead shoot straighter out a basic smooth barrel.

buck shot might not penatrate the armor, I would use nothing bigger than mod. choke 4 a tighter group, is it even legal?

 

[bodega]

I have some lead sabot slugs made by Winchester for my Benelli. Never fired them at a pig so don't know how they hit, but they are heavy. Don't use the full choke.

 

[bux-n-dux]

I don't have a rifled barrel, only smooth and as I stated lead is A-OK. I have a modified choke tube, it's a Carlson's extended. Thinking of going with my 870 and the modified tube, and these slugs:

Cabela's -- Federal® Truball&#8482 Rifled Slugs

 

[ltdann]

I don't have a rifled barrel, only smooth and as I stated lead is A-OK. I have a modified choke tube, it's a Carlson's extended. Thinking of going with my 870 and the modified tube, and these slugs:

Cabela's -- Federal® Truball&#8482 Rifled Slugs

For that price, get 10 boxes and burn up 5 boxes at the range to see where it hits. Most folks tell me that the rifled slugs are good to 75 yds with reasonable accuracy. I'd recommend the open cylinder for the slugs, though. Don't want to squeeze that big ole hunk-o-lead to much, never know what kind of pressure will build up.

 

[bux-n-dux]

yes I am going to get 10 or so boxes as I believe I will have many hunts at this property.

Lt dan, are you saying I should shoot the slugs without a choke tube? Will shooting slugs through a barrel threaded for tubes without a tube in it damage the barrel in any way? Or should I shell out for a cylinder bore tube?

 

[Fugaloo]

I would highly recommend the ones I have in the slug section of my ammo box. Tell me when your hunting and where and I'll bring them out for us..um..I mean you.

 

[weekender21]

i got some questions to add-- what about some buck shot on pigs and what kinda barrel would one use?
PS i would go for the pump since it would have less likely chance to get jammed,
you think its a bummer to miss some ducks when your auto gets jammed but think about what might happen if your gun jammed with some unruly hogs coming for you!!!!

Buck shot is a horrible idea for any kind of hunting.....it's a great choice for home defense though! :thread jacked:

 

[Caninelaw]

Never tried this myself but have heard of this. How about getting a rifled choke tube? At least it would give you some spin to the slug as it leaves the barrel.

$44.75 here...scroll down to the 4th choke...

Carlson's Shotgun Choke Tubes and accessories for the hunter and shooter

 

[ltdann]

yes I am going to get 10 or so boxes as I believe I will have many hunts at this property.

Lt dan, are you saying I should shoot the slugs without a choke tube? Will shooting slugs through a barrel threaded for tubes without a tube in it damage the barrel in any way? Or should I shell out for a cylinder bore tube?

No don't misunderstand me. You NEED a choke tube of some kind in the weapon. They come open cylinder, improved, modified and full, in descending order. Use the open or improved choke for RIFLED slugs.

Caninelaw brings up a good point. They also make RIFLED choke tubes. I have one for my 870. If you decided to use a rifled choke choke tube, you CANNOT use rifled slugs. Confused?

Rifled slugs=smoothbore barrel. cheap

Rifled barrel/rifled choked tube = Sabot Slugs. more money per round

The additon of a rifled choke tube will extend your range to about 100 yds with reasonable accuracy (for a shotgun).

Of course, the best is a cantilevered, fully rifled barrel.$$$$$

As weekender21 pointed out, buckshot is horrible (and illegal) for hunting in CA.

If money's a problem, I suggest the rifled choke tube for the 870 and Winchester supremes, partion Gold 2 3/4 Cabela's -- Winchester Supreme Partition Gold Slugs

The Supremes are 4X times more expensive but have devestating knockdown.

If you want the best, get a slug barrel and use the Supremes.

I shoot a full rifled 11-87 w/cantilever, and when I was able to use the supremes, I achieved rifle like accuracy approaching 150 yds.

Either way you decide, shotgun hunting big game is awesome. Your upclose and personal and it really tests your stalking skills.

 

[Jean]

I bought rifles chokes for the Beretta and the Remington 870. At the range on the 25 yard target, we had a 1 foot diameter group (I used that term loosely) with the Remington Premier Copper solids going through the target SIDEWAYS.

With the purchase of a scoped rifled barrel for the 870, I have a 4 inch diameter group at 100 yards with the same ammunition. Save yourself some aggravation and buy the dang scoped barrel.
Good luck and good hunting,
Jean

 

[crustyde]

Improved cylinder with any type of rifled slug your gun shoots well. the biggest concern is accuracy with a bead. consider spending the extra pennies on a used slug barrel. the slug barrel will give you a nice set of iron sights (worth every penny.) ask the guys in the whitetail section many of the eastern states are shotgun only. They will have a large amount of experience with this subject.

 

[hunterdoug]

Improved cylinder with any type of rifled slug your gun shoots well. the biggest concern is accuracy with a bead. consider spending the extra pennies on a used slug barrel. the slug barrel will give you a nice set of iron sights (worth every penny.) ask the guys in the whitetail section many of the eastern states are shotgun only. They will have a large amount of experience with this subject.

agree fully if you are getting multiple ops to hunt there find a used rifled barrel avoid the frustration of missed chances second choice rifled choke.

 

[Caninelaw]

Not to hijack the thread but I just had a thought. If you're quail hunting in a pig area can you use a rifled barrel to shoot your 7 1/2 shot for quail just so you'd have a good gun to reach out and touch a pig with a slug if you happened across one?

 

[bux-n-dux]

Thanks so much for the info. I have zero extra money right now, so a rifled barrel is pretty much out of the question. The reviews for the Truball slugs are positive out of smooth barrels, and I do have an IC choke tube so I am going to buy as many boxes of the slugs as I can and get to the range with them and the gun. Right now that is the only option I have I think.

If by some miracle I was to be able to get a used slug barrel, what length would you all suggest? Is shorter better?


bux-n-dux

 

[crustyde]

pretty sure you have one option 24". another option is to stick with the barrel you have (w/ic) and install a scope mount on the receiver. they are cheap and a scope can be temporarily stolen from another firearm in your arsenal. I shot through a smooth bore slug barrel for years and have no complaints. You will not get 1" groups @100 but you should get 3"; but what is 3" when you are flinging a freaken ounce of lead at something. do not waste your cash on a choke tube, they're crap.

 

[crustyde]

Not to hijack the thread but I just had a thought. If you're quail hunting in a pig area can you use a rifled barrel to shoot your 7 1/2 shot for quail just so you'd have a good gun to reach out and touch a pig with a slug if you happened across one?

do the opposite, shoot a rifled slug through the field barrel.