Author Topic: ProHunter 20 gauge slug barrel range report (Read 3816 times)

liv2hunt · « **on:** October 12, 2008, 02:15:23 AM »

I went to the 100 yd. range yesterday to site in my new ProHunter 20 gauge slug barrel topped with a 2-7x33 Leupold scope. Last week, I was able to obtain consistent 1" groups at 50 yds. using Federal Premium 3" Barnes Tipped Expander slugs. Yesterday, the first 3 shots touched at 50 yds., 1.75" high of center. At 100 yds., my first three shots were less than 1" apart, an inch above center. The next two shots were keyholed, 1/4" left of center. With the cost of ammo these days, I stopped. It should be noted that I used a stable shooting vise on a very stable bench, with no wind....perfect conditions. This setup is a dream: very light to carry, minimal recoil with what I believe is exceptional accuracy. I'm looking forward to taking it out later today on a crop damage hunt to see how the slug performs. I will report my results if I am fortunate enough to shoot a deer.

Liv2hunt

liv2hunt · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2008, 10:48:43 AM »

Well, I was able to check the performance of the Barnes Tipped Expander slug last night. I had a doe severely quartering towards me last night at 35 yd.. She ducked her head under a overhanging branch to see what I was in the tree. I put the crosshairs on her left shoulder and fired. The slug hit the left shoulder, leaving a gapping hole and passed through in front of the right hind quarter breaking two ribs along the way. The entrance wound was massive. The deer expired 30 yds from impact. I sustained a "scope eye" cut above my eye as a result. I have to take back my previous comment regarding recoil. The gun being so light, along with the 3" shells, make for a significant recoil. It is the first time that I've experienced such an injury. In any event, the slug performed as expected and I will continue to use it.

12ptdroptine · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2008, 02:35:59 PM »

Ouch!! Going to get mine to the range..one of these days...... That scope eye thing is a surprise aint it.. My leupold on my ush got me last year..It was my fault though I put a rifle scope on a shotgun... And that thing NEEDS all the eye reliefe I can give it... I ended up with a Nikon on it..and my 20ga pro hunter also..They have 5 inch eye relief.....The 2x7 you mentioned . Is it the shotgun scope or the rifle? I have a rifle on my Marlin slugmaster...It works well and hasnt scoped my eye yet... But its got me watching for it too. Sounds like your setup is a real shooter..I just hope mine doe's as well. Congrats on the doe and good luck. Drop

hillbill · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2008, 02:49:29 PM »

very impressive perfomance from a slug gun. sounds like yu got a good combo there.

liv2hunt · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2008, 10:05:23 PM »

Drop- The 2x7 is a rifle scope. It still has 4" of eye relief; I had my brother check me out while mounting the gun. I believe it was my own fault for mounting the gun improperly....more down on the arm. I've shot it freehand several times prior to the incident w/o a problem. I'll be more cautious next time.....sort of ingrained in my forehead....so to speak

12ptdroptine · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2008, 03:01:38 PM »

I done the exact same thing with a Leupold 3x9x40 rifle scope on my Ultra Slug Hunter..One of those thing's one learns to avoid...lol Drop

rickyp · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2008, 03:13:27 PM »

I have a blue pro hunter 20 ga slug barrel and I am using the Remington copper solid in 2 3/4" 5/8 oz.
I took a few deer with it last year and the second deer I shot I too got the scope eye. I love this barrel it is light handling and feels more like a rifle then a shotgun.

liv2hunt · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2008, 02:07:45 PM »

Rickyp- I have a Remington LT1100 in 20 ga. that is a real shooter with the Remington Copper solid 2 3/4" 5/8 oz. sabots. I took a 196 lb. 8 pt. with that ammo and its proven to be real affective in stopping any and all deer I've encountered. A side note, when I tested the 3" Remington Copper solids in that same gun, the POI was all over the place.

liv2hunt

hogwire · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2008, 07:49:50 AM »

Man! scope eye with a Leupy??? that thing does kick! And I was thinkin bout gettin a 12 ga. barrel for mine for turkeys! What buttstock are you using, reg. or thumbhole? lp

liv2hunt · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2008, 02:26:39 PM »

Hogwire- The stock is the original regular composite ProHunter stock. Yea, I've learned my lesson.....the stock is firmly planted in my shoulder pocket before I get near the trigger. Yet I wouldn't change a thing with the weight of this gun. Super light at the muzzle and just a pleasure to shoot. And I have all the confidence in the world its going to do its job when called upon.

liv2hunt

rickyp · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2008, 02:31:11 PM »

I just went out the other day and sighted in mine. at 50 yards 4 shots less then an 1" I shot 10 rounds that day and no pain on my shoulder, I shot my 12 ga with rifled slugs the other day and could only shoot 5 before I had to put it away.

12ptdroptine · « **Reply #11 on:** November 03, 2008, 03:59:07 PM »

I took mine out yesterday... It didnt like the 3" barns expander HP... It didnt like the SST. It DID like the Winchester platinum tip, 3 holes touching @ 50 yds.. I am going to get some differant Barnes tomorrow..I think they are the 23/4 inch tipped one's... I want to expand my effective range out to 150 plus yds..Just in case that shot presents itself....But I have a new frame and furniture on its way..So I am waiting til it get's here this week..I dont want to disturb my MZLoader barrel..Since it is shooting a 1 hole 3 shot group @100 yds.... Drop

liv2hunt · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2008, 01:10:03 PM »

Drop- My ProHunter loved the 20 ga. 3" Barnes Tipped Expander slugs...hopefully yours will too!

liv2hunt

12ptdroptine · « **Reply #13 on:** November 11, 2008, 02:40:48 PM »

I got some 23/4 Barnes expander..But they arent the tipped...I am going to try and get some I been running hard..But This isnt my only slug gun..So its not been pressing...yet...Sorry it took me so long to get back and post this.. Here is my 50 yd group..It is from a lead sled..its kind of hard to see for sure..but that is a nickel I used for comparison. These are with the Winchester Platinum tip 1700fps 260gr. Drop

rickyp · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2008, 03:43:50 PM »

I went out with my 20 ga this past week.
I shot two does both where over 60 yard shots and both where one shot kills doe 1 was dead in her tracks and doe 2 was a bigger doe and ran about 30 yards and was dead with in minutes.
I Think the 20 ga is about as good as it gets for a slug gun on a single shot frame

animal · « **Reply #15 on:** December 07, 2008, 03:30:47 PM »

Can one put a 20 ga pro hunter barrel on an encore?

rickyp · « **Reply #16 on:** December 07, 2008, 03:32:31 PM »

the pro hunter is just a encore frame with a diffrent hammer style

animal · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2008, 03:57:11 PM »

No kidding? well thanks for the reply. I assume that the pro hunter 20 ga is longer than the encore 20 ??

rickyp · « **Reply #18 on:** December 08, 2008, 02:59:24 AM »

I beleave the pro hunter is fluted and the normal barrels are not

kry226 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 08, 2008, 03:25:13 AM »

Pro Hunter 20 ga slug barrel is 28" and fluted, just like their centerfire barrels.

rickyp · « **Reply #20 on:** December 08, 2008, 02:45:37 PM »

I just got another big doe with my 20 ga. this was a 70 yards shot, the doe ran a little but was down with in seconds. I could hear her fall even though she was out of sight.