can any 20 guage shoot slugs?

[Charlie Tango]

I found a New England Pardner 20 guage for my buddys son for deer hunting.  How can I tell if this gun will handle a slug, or do all 20 guages shoot slugs?
Thank you

[BH]

Any 20ga should bea able to shoot slugs.  Make sure it is chambered for 3 inchers if you are going to try and shoot 3inch slugs, 2 3/4 inch slugs  would be the safest bet.  You may also want to check and see if it has a full choke barrel, some people have had trouble with full choke barrels not being as accurate.  Also if it is a smooth bore (not rifled), which it probably is, you should shoot foster type rifled slugs not sabot slugs which are made for rifled barrles.  Hope this helps.

[tony212]

Any 20ga shotgun can shoot slugs. What would make a difference would be the "choke" and the "sights".   Both of which would only affect acuracy.  The most important thing would be the sights. If the gun only has a bead on the muzzel end of the barrel it will be quite hard to aim.  Most ammunition companies recomend improved cylinder for foster type slugs but they can be shot through any choke.  H&R/NEF make barrels specificlly for shooting slugs which have sights similar to a rifle.  These barrels are fully rifled and work extremely well with sabot slugs.  Check them out at http://www.hr1871.com/.
Hope this hels;
Tony212

[savageT]

I found a New England Pardner 20 guage for my buddys son for deer hunting.  How can I tell if this gun will handle a slug, or do all 20 guages shoot slugs?
Thank you

Charlie,
Just to add some other comments about the 20 gauge NEF you picked up.  My information from an NEF catalog states: the "Pardner" Youth 20 gauge (SB1-250) Gun is sold w/ 22" bbl., up to 3" chamber, Bead front sight with modified choke.
If the model is a standard "Pardner" (SB1-021 and SB1-020) in 20 gauge, 26" bbl.,Up to 3" chamber, Bead Front sight, Modified OR Full choke.

I would definately say it can handle 20 ga. 2-3/4 and 3" Foster Slugs (rifled slugs) made of pure, soft lead. Do not use saboted slugs.  Also, there are after market stick-on fiber optic sights that work well for slug hunting available at most sporting goods stores.