Lead-free slugs in a smoothbore?

[retrosub]

I have a 12 ga fixed modified choke and I wonder if I can shoot lead-free slugs out of it. (Why? Because I don't have a choice.) It seems like all of the lead-free slugs are sabots for use with a fully rifled barrel. The only slug that says it can be used in a smoothbore is the Remington Copper Solid 1oz. Anybody try to use those slugs in a choked smoothbore?

[jjas]

Where are you hunting/shooting that lead free is required? 

Just curious...

Jim

[retrosub]

The ever-expanding California condor zone.

Nobody seems to make lead-free buckshot, so copper solid slugs are pretty much the only game in town if you want to hunt the shotgun-only areas.

[jjas]

I kinda figured that's where you were......

Unfortunately, saboted slugs aren't really going to work well out of your smoothbore.  They need the rifling to spin and stabilize the projectile. 

Jim

[mcwoodduck]

Sounds like you have the same desicion I have.
Either a new rifled barrel or a whole rifled gun.
Right now the idea of the 20Ga H&R single shot has the vote so far.
yes 20 ga for the sabots.  While nice I do not think I need the horse powder of a 458 Win Mag to shoot deer and pigs out to 150 yards that the 12 ga slugs give.  And the ballistics on the 20 ga look good.

[kernman]

Retrosub,

What kind of shotgun is it? Can you attach a rifled slug barrel? I have an NEF pardner and I got a 20 gauge, rifled barrel for it for about $80 from the factory, including shipping.

I shot the copper solids through it and they seemed accurate enough for deer.  I only shot a few though, given the high cost.

I too live in the lead free zone.

Another major ammo company makes sabot coppers but the name escapes me. Federal, maybe? But i have heard of no copper slug for smoothbores.