There are now a few states that may restrict one to using shotguns for hunting.
This would mean using “slugs” is a practical thing to do.
Shooting slugs is not difficult. The one drawback is less accuracy.
The way to optimize precision is to match the right gun and with the right slug.
Once you find the right combination, you must spend hours in practice.
Shotguns come in a variety of barrel lengths and choke sizes.
Choosing the right choke for your slug gun is important to ensure accurate shooting.
There are six common types of shotguns: smoothbore, rifled musket, double barrel, pump action, semi-automatic and automatic.
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Shotguns have been used for hunting for centuries, and there are many reasons why they are a popular choice.
Shotguns are versatile and can be used for a wide range of hunting activities, from hunting small game to taking down large game.
However, there are now a few states that may restrict one to using shotguns for hunting.
Knowing About Chokes
The new smoothbore barrels have removable choke tubes. Choke tubes give the option to shoot many types of shots.
These include slugs. George Trulock started making choke tubes in 1981.
Trulock is of the opinion that Foster and Brenneke’s designs are OK to use with open constriction choke tubes.
He likewise concurs that a few slug loads improve precision in your specific shotgun. This means though that you will need to experiment.
If you shoot slugs, Trulock recommends skeet chokes with 0.005 constrictions. When it comes to sabot slugs, he thinks a fully rifled barrel is a must for the bullet to be stable.
Hence, sabots are less than ideal for use with choke tubes, smooth or rifled.
Knowing About Chokes
Rifled Tubes
A rifled-choke tube can make your shots more precise.
Accuracy up to 70 yards with a bead for a sight, with a stable rest, and holding a good forearm grip does the trick.
It is also vital to identify the right ammunition that fits your barrel, notwithstanding the choke tube.
If you are not satisfied with the precision from an ammunition manufacturer, a rifled-choke tube is an alternative that you have.
This can possibly improve precision a bit compared to smoothbore distances.
Precision from a few inches of rifling in a choke tube cannot be compared to the precision of a fully rifled barrel.
Choke tubes are a cheaper alternative to brand-new fully rifled scatterguns if one is going to shoot slugs at close distances.
Knowing Slug Brands
Not all manufacturers of ammunition are equal in precision.
This is caused by differences in bore diameter, quite common with shotgun barrels.
Every brand has a slight variance in bore diameter.
This is why ammunition brands are not able to manufacture a standard slug.
Precision changes from any looseness in fit, regardless of how insignificant.
This causes wobbling as a slug exits the bore.
A wobble results in bad stability, and consequently less precision.
One’s selection for good ammunition begins with the barrel.
If you shoot smoothbore with a fixed choke, staying away from sabot slugs is advisable.
A cylinder bore is a recommended barrel, but an upgraded cylinder bore is typically used for convenience.
Ask your brand expert prior to firing a slug through tighter chokes like a full or modified choke.
Accuracy Expectations
It is safe to presume precision for any box of slugs you purchase to be around the 50-yard range.
This is a typical distance for the standard field guns with a good barrel and bead sight.
Trying other manufacturers could lead you to a slug that shoots accurately to 70 yards.
If so this is a better than average distance for a stock shotgun.
If you have a fully rifled barrel, sabot slugs are the way to go.
Knowing More about Slug Design Types
A shotgun slug has three designs. There is the traditional rifled slug, also known as the Foster-style. This is the most widely known. Karl Foster invented it in 1931.
It uses a hollow cone of lead and features a round nose.
It has raised fins found on its side.
These fins conform by compressing to the diameter of a smoothbore barrel, and thus a snug barrel fit.
Then there is the sabot slug. This a newer design made for a fully rifled barrel.
The sabot is a kind of wad.
It encapsulates the slug and sometimes is a polymer-tipped bullet also known as a hollow point.
After firing a shot, the sabot spins off but the projectile or slug goes on downrange.
The third design is actually the oldest of the three.
It is known as the Brenneke slug.
This projectile was invented in 1898 by Wilhelm Brenneke in Germany.
It is a pointy projectile with fins that function as a tailing device for stability.
The “rear” slides into the projectile when the slug hits the target.
