Author Topic: 20ga slug barrel VS 357mag barrel for deer gun. (Read 3022 times)

Jghoat · « **on:** July 20, 2010, 06:23:15 AM »

Its most likely Because I am waiting for hunting season to start but I've gotten the bug. I got a 20ga partner on hold at the gun shop but the shop has a ultra slug hunter 20ga and 357mag H&R on the way and they'll put my money on ether one if I want. I was getting the 20ga partner because I can't shoulder my 12 as much. But now I have that covered with a 410.
I have never used a 20ga slug gun or 357mag. How do they compare and is the that 20ga slug gun be as hard on me as 12ga partner. What ever I get I'll be using as my deer gun.
Whats your thoughts?
Thanks
Old Goat

spikehorn · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2010, 07:04:37 AM »

I have a Tracker II 20ga that is a tack driver with lightfields and I'll say it probably feels like your 410 just a little nudge. mine is sighted in at 65 yards a I shot three shots into 2 holes touching. I got it just before deer season last year and double lunged a doe at about 80 yards she went maybe 30 yards and it was all over. I also have a Rossi 357 mag and it is an awsome brush gun have killed lots of deer with it. Longest shot was 134 paces. I was shooting winchester white box 125 gr jsp and double lunged a spike horn and it blew out his drivers side shoulder, he went down on the spot. The county I live in is shot gun only for deer so I have the slug gun, so if I had to decide between the two I would choose the slug gun.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2010, 07:10:56 AM »

I hunt with a slug gun in 12 and 20 . The 12 is for stands and the 20 when on the go. I would trade for any suitable handgun cal. rifle if we could hunt with it . If you go 357 maybe a rechamber to 357 max. would be an option ? Why take the beating ?

Jghoat · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2010, 08:24:02 AM »

There are good points on both. I live in Western NC so I can hunt with ether or (for now). I am leaning toward the 357mag it sounds fun and lookin at the price of slugs. but on the other hand I have always been a scatter-gun man. Do they have about the same range? In reality I wont be takin shots more that 75yards and probably at ground level or just a little above.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2010, 08:36:04 AM »

I would think a nice jacketed bullet out of a nice rifled bbl with little kick would be more accurate at pratical range . 5 slugs 15 plus bucks 50 357 mag 30+ bucks . In pratice alone you will save lots of money . I have a hard time sitting down to pratice with a slug gun and getting abused , I would shoot the 357 more and be better with it . If you ream it to a max. ya can still shoot 38s and 357 mags for pratice.

Jal5 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2010, 10:10:56 AM »

I use the 20 ga Pardner with a youth stock and had it drilled and tapped for a 4x scope. A nice light rig. It is deadly accurate out to 75 yds. which is further than most of my tree stand set ups. Simple and cheap Remington slugs are all I use. Took a real nice doe <50yds last season and I don't think it went more than 15 yds and died.

Nice light recoil too. I could shoot a lot of those Remington slugs for practice too.

Joe

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2010, 10:32:42 AM »

4 dollars for 5 ? times 10 still cost more

spruce · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2010, 01:51:00 PM »

For me it would be no contest - .357 mag.

Much, much cheaper to shoot, much more fun to shoot, and although I've never shot a deer with a .357 rifle, from what I've read on here the concensus is that it's very effective.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2010, 03:54:28 PM »

Jghoat,

I'd go with the 357 since with the right load it is fine for deer but it is a very cheap and fun plinker with the 38spc. Plinking with slugs, even if you load your own, isn't really that cheap and not a lot of fun as even a 20 ga will get to you after a couple of dozen rounds. For about $25 and a little bit of your time you can ream a 357 Mag to 357 Max and get more punch for Bambi, however the 357 Max will require you to get into reloading. The Max will still shoot the 38 plinker loads so the kids can shoot it when they are too small for a 20 ga.

BB

zoner · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2010, 04:39:41 PM »

jghoat, if you are having problems with recoil by all means get the 357. I don't even notice the recoil of my 357 handi.....you will "notice" the 20 guage more than the 357. The 357 is a really fun,versatile gun....Mike

TxGun · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2010, 06:42:52 PM »

While the 20 gauge works, the .357 Mag. makes a much more versatile deer gun, IMO.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2010, 04:53:56 AM »

.357 hands down. You'll be able to shoot it way more, have way less recoil and for the distance you are shooting there's no need to ream it to Max. It has plenty of power in it's own right.

Spanky · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2010, 07:20:15 AM »

Forget about the 357 and the 20... get a 44 mag.

Spanky

Jghoat · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2010, 09:37:46 AM »

Well just got back from the gun shop. My wife says never send a man to get bread cause he'll come home with beer.
I went with the intent on coming home with a H&R 357mag but some how this is what I ended up getting.

Now I know this is not a 357 or 20 ga but it will be soon. I got to the shop an he just got this in on his used rack. Man it looked so good in person I could not put it back on the shelf. She a NEF NWTF 12ga full that has not seen much use. I looked at the 357 and the 20ga slug gun but this one out shined them both. Well old Mack gave H&R a call and they gave the ok that this receiver will take a 357 or scatter barrel (they don't have any 357 in stock yet). So this siren sang her way to my home. She will look good as an 357 or 44mag.(Thanks Spanky thats also an idea).
Thank for the help and expect an update.
Old Goat

bikerbeans · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2010, 02:16:12 PM »

You did mighty fine!

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 22, 2010, 01:17:07 PM »

It was worth it just for those stocks

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2010, 03:25:36 PM »

Nice looking gun!

Just get yourself some of those Remington reduced recoil slugs and use that 12 gauge.

Jghoat · « **Reply #17 on:** July 23, 2010, 05:33:30 PM »

Can you use slugs on a full choke? I tried a few slugs threw a pardner mod choke I did not like it lite gun crap recoil pad. When I shot it flinch was not the word, hell it looked like I was a doper with the shakes. Now that gun with #6,4, and 00 was a hoot.
I shot my 8mm Mauser on the 4th followed my old 12 one to many times and that did me in. That night I gave that mauser to my brother. He and his will get way give it way more use than me.
This new NEF is 3 lbs heavier and limbsaver to boot. Its recoil is a push+. The plus just enough to make this man take a few seconds more to get my bearings back after each shot. Its not hurting my shoulder like my old gun. To be honest it probably me just getting old. But I am not ready to say that for sure. Looks like 357 and some lite recoil for me.
Old Ghoat.

Spanky · « **Reply #18 on:** July 23, 2010, 07:12:30 PM »

The 44 mag doesn't kick either and it would make a better deer gun.

Spanky

DaveH · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2010, 09:29:36 AM »

I agree with Spanky,

I have had a 44 mag handi for two years now and it is a great Deer gun. I mean its not a 150 yard gun but its a very good brush gun.

wild willy · « **Reply #20 on:** August 15, 2010, 02:13:28 PM »

Davidsons has a limited edition Handi trapper in .44 looks real nice

Lon371 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2010, 10:34:37 PM »

Since no one commented on the Ultra slug 20, I will give my 2 cents. It kicks less than any 20 guage I have shot. Only issue is they are heavier. But the deer in my profile picture will tell you it is effective

The .357 is a blast to shoot. If you Maximum it, you can shoot from .36 specials up to the .357 mag .360 DW and the .357 Maximum. All with less kick that the 20.

Nice gun you got, keep watching the classifieds for barrels as well.

Lonny

Kal52 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 19, 2010, 06:33:11 AM »

Wow that is a nice find!

I think Id have to go with the 357 tho, for many reasons, lots of loads available, ammo is found lots of places, no recoil ( at least out of my levergun). reloadability, and If I see a bunny in the brushpile I can pop in a light 38spl and get camp meat! a 20ga slug may not leave much for the pot

That and the USH is a heavy barrel unles you go with the light one.

The 44 mag is fun too, I have one and recoil is super light as well, more like a light pop to the shoulder, were a coat and you cant feel it much at all. Not sure how they are for camp meat, but ill bet ya someone here has worked up a load for anything from gopher to elephant!

Good luck

Dave

Jghoat · « **Reply #23 on:** August 19, 2010, 04:05:33 PM »

I going with a 357mag. I was going for a re-barrel but decided on getting a 357 Talo. I like open sights. Now just need to track one down.
Thanks for all the input.
Old goat

tacklebury · « **Reply #24 on:** August 19, 2010, 05:40:11 PM »

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/262/products_id/52891 unfortunately no iron sights that I could find. 8(