Slug hunter Vs. USH?

[booone0]

Hey all, new to the forum, been reading all day and haven't found an answer yet.  Lots of good info here though!

I went hunting for the first time this year, and I am looking for a shotgun for deer hunting.  Initially I was looking at the typical pumps with slug barrels, but the H&R line appeals to be due to the cost and reputed accuracy.  I want a gun that is suitable for sitting in a treestand/blind, walking around, etc.  This is my first long gun, so I won't be confident in taking 100+ yard shots initially, but I would like a gun capable of that eventually.  I live in Michigan, which is shotgun only in the areas I'd be hunting for now.

Looking on Buds Gun Shop and Gunbroker, it seems like the Slug Hunter goes for around 170-180, while the Ultra Slug Hunter goes for 220+, in both 12 and 20 Ga.  I understand that the USH has a heavier barrel.  But what is the practical advantage of this?  Better accuracy?  Longer lasting?  Less kick?  If there are other differences between the two models, I haven't found them.  Also, is the Slug Hunter equivalent to the Ultra Light Slug Hunter, or is that an even lighter version?

I'm young and healthy, so recoil isn't too big of a deal - with the cost of slugs this will definitely not be a range gun.  Aside from sighting it in, I probably won't be shooting it unless there's a deer in my sights.

I found one of these at Cabelas which was comfortable to hold, but more expensive than it would be buying it online and having it shipped to an FFL.  I will do some looking around, but I will probably end up buying online off of Gunbroker or Bud's (Free shipping!)

Thanks to everyone for the help!

[spikehorn]

I'm not sure what you are reffering to when you say slug hunter. I was looking on buds and they were calling them slug hunters but they all looked liked ultra slug hunters. There is a Tracker II that has open sights and is not drilled and tapped for a scope base and is usually in the price range of what you are saying the slug hunter is. I have a 20ga Tracker II that I had drilled and tapped and wears a Simmons Pro Diamond 4X32 shot gun scope My son has a 20ga USH He has a Bushnell banner 1.5X4.5X32 Both are seriously accurate with the slugs they like to shoot. Both will clover leaf 3 shots a 75 yards. The Tracker II is lighter and easier to carry.

[booone0]

Thanks for the reply, here are links to what I'm talking about:

Model SB1S14, 12Ga Slug Hunter (Model number matches "Ultra light slug hunter" on H&R's website), listed at 5.25lb, listed at $186.  http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_263/products_id/52899

Model SB2-980, 12Ga Ultra Slug Hunter (Listed as "Ultra Slug Hunter" on H&R's website), listed at 8-9lbs and listed at $243.  http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_263/products_id/89033

Both of these seem to go for $10-30 cheaper on GunBroker, but then shipping is not free.

I am interested in the models with a factory mounted sight rail, because I would prefer not to have to have a gunsmith put a rail on for me.

So it appears that the only difference between these two models is a slightly different stock (Different drop, and forestock seems longer on the Ultra Slug Hunter) and in how heavy/thick the barrel is.  Is there any other difference, and will the weight of the barrel have any effect on performance other than lighter recoil and possibly easier to hold on target?

Thanks!

[cwlongshot]

The USH is serious slug shooting medicine.... I have two and 12 and a 20, the 12 is scarry accurate for a slug gun. One hole groups with a number of slugs. Remington Buckhammers, Copper solids and Ultra Corelokts all shoot this good!!
My twenty dosen't like the green stuff but does like Hornady SST's!!! Its east to hit a tennis ball at 100.
 

 
CW
 

[booone0]

Thanks for the post, cwlongshot!

I guess this boils down to:  why would I spend $40-50 more on a heavier gun?  Is there another difference between these two models other than the heavier barrel?

[carbineman]

I have owned both and now just the Tracker II's in 20 ga. with scopes. The Tracker II comes with just sights and I added the scope rail after drilling and tapping the barrels. The Ultra Lite Slug Hunter is similar in weight and recoil and comes standard with a scope rail also if you plan to scope your slug gun.
 
The Ultra Slug Hunter in my opinion is too darn heavy to carry around. Accuracy is about the same when I compared the two. I had a chance to trade my Ultra Slug Hunter for a 30-30 H&R Topper and I did the trade and went with all Tracker II's as the Ultra Lite Slug Hunter was not available at that time.
 
If I were you I would go with a ULSH and save the weight. My Tracker II's are just as accurate weigh less than six pounds with scope and are very hunter friendly while on the go or in an elevated stand. Check out the thread I posted about the Tracker II's and you can see how we have ours set up.
 
Here is the thread, http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,245360.0.html

[booone0]

Thanks for the reply!

So, it looks like the tracker is good if I want iron sights, but if I want to scope it the lightweight slug hunter is the way to go.

[rdlange]

I parted mine together from the 20 ga lightweight rifled barrel with scope mount only, and a monte carlo stock to get it high enough for the scope & recoil pad. 

I couldn't see lugging a heavier gun around, and the 20 is supposed to be able to do the job with less pain and cost.

If you are going to scope it you need to think about a higher comb piece... like the slip on shell holders with a rubber cheek piece added.  JMHO

[tacklebury]

I don't own one, but I think the ultra sluggers would be great if you shoot stand style hunts mainly.  The extra weight would negate some more recoil also.    I am trying to talk a buddy into selling me an original Tracker1 slug gun with sights, but smoothbore.  Thus far he hasn't done anything with it, so hoping maybe. 

[Deerhunter#1]

The ultra slug is heavier but as mentioned it depends what type of hunting you are doing. I have the heavy barrel 20 guage and it shoots the federal power shok sabots the best. That being said I am not a walker but get to my stand or spot and stay still so I am not carrying it all day. Also the extra weight cuts down the recoil alot.

[ironglow]

Are you serious about being a genuine slug hunter ?  How about this ?
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq3zp-v5gjA
 
  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_3_54/ai_n24232194/

[gcrank1]

An under 6# 12ga, is a vicious kicking beast, at least for many of us. Choose a 20ga if you can, it will still do the job and the ammo is as available as 12s.

[ironglow]

  I agree with gcrank..
   Having spent most of my life in a slugs-only big game hunting area, I can tell you that normally the 20ga kills them just as dead as a 12ga.  Dad was a very successful deer hunter and used a 20ga all his life..usually an Ithaca pump.

[PHATINJUN]

Hasting went out of bussiness shortly after the release of that 3.5x20ga . Don't know if anybody picked up the ammo manufacture or not but I haven't seen any Hasting ammo on normal shelves for a couple of yrs. I used to love it before the Buckhammer. Kurt

[ironglow]

Hasting went out of bussiness shortly after the release of that 3.5x20ga . Don't know if anybody picked up the ammo manufacture or not but I haven't seen any Hasting ammo on normal shelves for a couple of yrs. I used to love it before the Buckhammer. Kurt

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
  Thanks for setting that straight Kurt, I wouldn't want to mislead anyone..