16ga slug recommendations

[ccoker]

I have an old 11-48 semi auto 16ga that I inherited that had a broke rear stock
I have cut it down, fixed it, put a new recoil pad on it and cut the barrel down to legal length
I want to make a "hog gun" out of it

it's a smooth bore, anyone have recommendations for what may be the most accurate, obviously, I have to go try em out and see what works in this gun
I don't expect a tack driver..

I am going to mount a scout style mounted (forward) red dot on it probably and camo paint the whole thing

I have a nice benelli but it's got a 28" barrel and getting slug barrel is pricey, I could by a 30/30 or 44 lever gun for the price of the barrel!
so, this is to convert an old gun that's just been laying in the garage into something fun and useful

thanks in advance for any help

[wink_man]

I have no experience with 16 gauge slugs, but my experience is extensive with 12 & 20 gauge slugs. Most of the time, in most of the smoothbore slug guns I've messed with over the years, I've had my best luck and accuracy with Winchester Super X foster slugs. Of the 4 smoothbore slug guns me and the kids currently have, with Bushnell Banner 1.5X4.5 scopes, all are quite capable of SUB 4 inch groups at 100 yards with the Winchester slugs mentioned. Sighted in 2 inches high at 50 yards, the 12 gauges are an inch high at 75 yards and dead on at 100 yards, the 20 gauge sighted in in the same manner is dead on at 75 yards, and an inch low at 100 yards. Shooting a sub 4 inch group at 100 yards makes them quite capable of taking deer/hog sized animals out to 100 yards with no holdover required.
Obviously, as you mention, what you'll need to do is try several brands off of sandbags at a range, and see your results to draw the proper conclusion. You mention you shortened the barrel, so I assume you've eliminated any choke the barrel had?? That is a plus for slug shooting. Other than that, the real key is a RIGIDLY mounted set of iron sights/scope/red dot, whatever, just as long as it's rigidly and solidly mounted. The gun is only as good as the sights it has and if the sights are rigidly mounted, I'll say what I've always said, and that is that most smoothbore slug guns are capable of better accuracy than the shooter is capable of holding the gun steady. Good luck, let us know how you make out, I'd be interested in seeing some results with a 16 gauge, as I have never played with one.
Garry

[ccoker]

thanks

my plan is since it has a smooth barrel, no rib, is to jbweld a weaver base to the barrel, just a head of the receiver
yes, definitely a secure and solid mount is crucial...
I could drill and tap the receiever but want a more foward "scout" style postion for faster handling
I will probably play with a red dot as well as a scope, the 1.5-4-5 busnell "cantilever" scopes is one I was considering and I may even buy a pistol scope to try with as well since I may get one for a 41 mag I have

should be a fun gun none the less

[wink_man]

If I may make a recomendation to you, since you say you are making a hog gun out of it, my assumption is that at times, you're going to be up close & personal with these critters, so if you have the ability to drill and tap the receiver, thats what I'd do, for several reasons. First, ANY extended eye relief scope has a considerably narrower field of view than a normal eye relief scope, a disticnt DISADVANTAGE being up close and personal for fast target acquisition. Secondly the Bushnell Banner I mention, the 1.5X4.5 model at 1.5 power, is about equivalent to iron sights for fast target acqusition at close range(like under 10 yards), and I'm speaking from years of experience with whitetails in DENSE eastern cover. Everyone says the Banner is a cheap scope, and maybe it is pricewise, but I have a bunch of em on slug guns, they are crystal clear, and take a licking and keep on ticking, have never had any kind of problem with them. Available for about 65 dollars from Midsouth Shooters Supply(who advertise on here). Thirdly, if you were to drill and tap the receiver, you'd have the option of putting a Weaver Pivot Mount base(yes they are still manufactured) on it so the scope can be swung away for quick use of iron sights, or just plain pointing down the barrel. A Weaver Pivot Mount Base for a Remington 760 rifle fits very nicely on Remington shotgun receivers. Again, I'm speaking from experience. I drilled and tapped a Remington 870 slug gun way back in 1980 and put a Weaver Pivot base on it, best thing I ever did to that slug gun and still today my favorite. If that piques your interest, here is URL for that Weaver Pivot Mount Base and rings, I'd recommend low rings.
http://www.gunaccessories.com/Weaver/PivotMounts.asp
The base you want is #162.
Hope this has helped.
Garry

[ccoker]

thanks, will check it out
I have a sightron 2.5-7 x 33 shotgun scope on my sons HR ultralight I might borrow to try out