H&R 20G USH-TS/Ultragon Range Report

[Haycock]

I know there has been a ton of speculation regarding the new H&R Ultragon rifling and its possible impact on accuracy for the USHs, and since I was lucky enough to acquire a 20g USH with thumbhole stock and new rifling recently, and conduct some accuracy testing, I thought I'd share...

Though I didn't take any pictures yet (I have the target with the best results right next to me and I'll try to get to posting a photo) I have the following accuracy data to report:


Federal Premium Vital-Shok Barnes Expander (P209XS) 3" 273gr 1900fps
- 3-shot 2" group with 2 5"-6" flyers low/right (after fouling shot)

Winchester Supreme Partition Gold 3" 280gr 2000fps
- 3-shot 1" group with 2 4" flyers low/center (fouling shot included in main 1" group)

Hornady   SST 2 3/4" 250gr 1800fps
- Multiple 3-shot 2"-3" groups (all shots from cold/clean barrel)
- 1 3-shot 1.125" group with 1 2" flyer low/left (after additional/separate 1" high fouling shot, no cleaning in-between)

Lightfield Hybred Exp 2 3/4" 385gr 1502fps
- 4-shot 2" group with 1 3" flyer low/left (fouling shot included in main 2" group)

Hastings Laser Accurate 2 3/4" 410gr 1475fps
- 3-shot 2" group with 2 2" flyers low/left (fouling shot included in main 2" group)


And.....

finally....................

wait for it...........................................................

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Remington Premier Copper Solid 2 3/4" 273gr 1500fps
- 5-shot 1" group (no, seriously... I quadruple checked the target... two shots almost went into ORH.... it was beautiful!!!)


One question I have for you all is this... the Rem box is a little vague on trajectory.  Specifically, it says that if this load is zeroed at 50yds then it'll be -3.1 at 100yds.  If I want to obtain maximum range, how should I zero?


Haycock

[PHATINJUN]

It depends on what you consider max range. If it's 150 yards I'd zero at 100. For my area 100 yard shots are less likley and I like to zero my rifled shotguns at 75 yards and my smooth bores at about 50-60 yards. Did you not have any fliers with the Remmingtons ? Thanks for the range report by the way what kind of whallop does that light gun give ya . I got one also but have not had the time to shoot it yet or to work on my own loads. I am gonna try and make some full bore slugs work at reduced loads between 1200 and 1500fps. again thanks for the report and welcome to GB. Kurt

[RugerNo3]

Guessing semi-intelligently that 2.5 inches high at 50 should be near zero at 100 and -3inches at 125-130. That copper solid will shed velocity rather quick and you don't want a tracking party in the dark. Shooting at these distances will tell the truth, tho.

[Haycock]

It depends on what you consider max range. If it's 150 yards I'd zero at 100. For my area 100 yard shots are less likley and I like to zero my rifled shotguns at 75 yards and my smooth bores at about 50-60 yards. Did you not have any fliers with the Remmingtons ? Thanks for the range report by the way what kind of whallop does that light gun give ya . I got one also but have not had the time to shoot it yet or to work on my own loads. I am gonna try and make some full bore slugs work at reduced loads between 1200 and 1500fps. again thanks for the report and welcome to GB. Kurt

Based on the ballistics of the load and feedback I've received from more knowledgeable slug shooters, I am going with 125yds as max effective range of this load on deer.  So, what I intend to do is get is zeroed so that I'm no more than 3" low at 125yds.

Recoil actually wasn't that bad.  I have a really bad right shoulder (old breaks, arthritis, etc.) and have had issues with even moderately recoiling centerfire rifle loads, so I was surprised at how tolerable it was.  Maybe it's the decelerator pad???


Haycock

[Haycock]

Guessing semi-intelligently that 2.5 inches high at 50 should be near zero at 100 and -3inches at 125-130. That copper solid will shed velocity rather quick and you don't want a tracking party in the dark. Shooting at these distances will tell the truth, tho.

Appreciate the feedback.  Its consistent with what I have heard on other slug forums, and I'm going to sight on that way and see what I see.

Haycock

[ranchand99]

Thanks for the report.I was getting awesome results from my 20ga USH with 5/8oz Remington Copper solids as well.They do retain 100% weight and the do expand 2x.I shot several hogs,and deer with them.Not only were they accurate,but the on game damage was impressive..and I usually don't like remington ammo..lol

I don't know if I would shoot them past 100yds though b/c they don't have much velocity to start with.I think 125 is kind of pushing it,but I did not shoot an animal at that distance,so they may work fine.