Slug gun advice needed

[bigbird09]

Sometime in the near future I hope to pick up a slug gun, but I don't know if I wanna go with another barrel on my current reciever or go out and pick up a whole other gun.  I have been looking at that 12ga USH for a couple years but never picked one up.  My question is should I go ahead and get the 12ga or should I drop back to a 20ga.  The 2 places I have to hunt will allow ranges to 200+, but most my shots should be with in 100.

[eye shot]

What is your current gun?

[spikehorn]

20 ga is more than enough and has less recoil. Ethically are you going to take a 200+ yard shot. I have a Tracker II 20ga and a 20ga USH both are very accurate and both I would feel comfortable taking a 150 yard shot. My longest to date was 134 yards, but shots over 75 yards are rare for me.

[gcrank1]

I would go with the whole gun, and pref. in 20ga.
Around here the 12s turn up used more often as trade ins (maybe 'cause they kick too much?), sometimes 20s. Ive seen them used as low as $189, though usually more.

[SHOOTALL]

I would suggest you compare projectile size in the 12 and 20 , You might be suprised at what is used in them. The 20 seems more efficent . The 20 ga gun also handles more like a rifle . With a sabot they have the option to use the same projectile in either hull. Some of the 20ga slugs have equal or close down range results. BUT if you want a 1 1/8 sabot slug like lightfield makes its a 12 ga. But they are good for 125 yards . I shoot those in my gun they hit like a hammer but past 120 yards its like lobbing lead . So pick what you need to do. pick a slug that will do it then pick the gun to do it with. As to a seperate gun IMHO that would be best as any play in the gun affects accuracy , switching bbls will wear the parts some.

[gcrank1]

I dont know if this will help regarding the '12 or 20ga. question';
I just stepped out and took a 50yd. shot with my 12ga. (smooth), 5 1/2#, open sights, Win 1oz. slug @1600fps at my heavy 9" swinger. It almost knocked it off the bar. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Im am christening it, as of today, the .727 Overkill.
It is awesome.....on both ends!
When I find a 20 it will be mine.

[SHOOTALL]

yes those slugs are powerful. Other slugs offer distance though and OP was talking 200+ yard shots .

[bigbird09]

thats for the help,  I have the range to get over 200yrd at a couple places I hunt, but my self imposed limit will be 200,  but like I said most of my shooting will be with in 100yrds.  currently I'm using a CVA eclipse M/L and Its fun to shoot but its a pita to clean and I haven't been to impressed with groupings from it, and my POI seems to change drastically from day to day.  From the sounds of it I guess I will keep an eye out for a 20 USH.   My biggest reason for the 12ga was because 12ga ammo is very plentiful in both foster and sabots in my area, but 20ga is alot harder to find, especially sabots.  I guess I will just need to make a trip to the big box store and stock up.

[gcrank1]

Our local 'Farm & Fleet' chain carries ammo reasonably priced. As I understand it, the 'Fleet/Farm' chain is a different entity, but might be worth a check. A number of hardware stores do too, especially those with a fishing (ie, sporting goods, dept). Let your fingers do the walking.......
12s and 20s are going to be the most readily available for sure.
Sounds like a good choice to me!

[SHOOTALL]

find the load that shoots best before stocking up , then buy as much as you want with the same lot number.

[bigbird09]

thank you guys very muuch   hopefully i can get to gander mtn today to price the 20ga ush and see what all they have as far as ammo is conserned   I think that last time i priced the ush in 12 with the fancy thumbhole stock it was like 250 new  but hopefull i can get the saved up in time for next season if i dont get lucky enough to find a used one somewhere first

[gcrank1]

From what Ive seen of their ammo prices for the last couple of years I would buy mine elsewhere.

[spikehorn]

Don't forget to try buckhammers my 20ga USH clover leafs them at 75 yards and they are half the price of most sabots. My kid made a running shot on a 5 point the buckhammer entered at the rear of the passenger side rib cage and exited just behind the drivers side shoulder. It turned the lungs to jelly and put a nice big hole threw the heart. The deer went maybe another 30 yards on adrenalin and just piled up.

[bigbird09]

From what Ive seen of their ammo prices for the last couple of years I would buy mine elsewhere.

ya I went to gander yesterday, and was horridly dissapointed.  where they use to have the guns out where you can see them, they put everything behind the counter.  Also look at there ammo selection and not only was it more expensive, but it was almost not existent.  IDK if its just this time of year or what but they have gone to crap,  I use to like that place, and now I can't say that I will go back.

[gcrank1]

All that, and the last time I watched somebody buy a gun it was like they were adopting it; way over the edge on 'corporate liability' concerns, I guess.