Pardner single shot slug question

[whackadeer]

I know there may not be a perfect answer to my question but maybe someone has some insight. Wife has a 20ga break open and plans on going deer hunting this year. It is full choke so I know we have to shoot foster style slugs. As I understand it all rifled slugs are foster style. I also heard that it won't be as accurate at longer distance. Her longest shot will be in the 50 yd range. What is the most common issues at that range. Thanks for any comments you leave.

[jeffcneal]

whackadeer:
 
You're right, there's no perfect answer to your question.  Since the gun's a 20 gauge full-choke, I'm guessing it to have a 26 or 28" barrel.  And yes, your options are limited to Foster slugs which are indeed the same thing as a rifled slug.  I'm definately NOT an expert, but "they" say that Fosters are at they're best when fired through a cylinder bore or improved cylinder barrel.  That said, my Tamer 20 which has a 20" modified barrel groups 5 shots wonderfully at 40 yards when using Remington 2.75" Sluggers.  And at these ranges, I can't tell a difference in accuracy between the standard load and the reduced recoil offering.
 
regards,
Jeff

[tacklebury]

Make sure you let her try a few prior to opening day...  My experience is that the full chokes kick like a mule.  I shoot full house .45-70 ruger level loads and the little .410, 20, 16 and 12 ga. shotguns I've shot kick worse in my opinion with slugs.  At 50 yards or less might consider #4 buckshot which seems to do a good job at sub 50 yards.  Just make sure she's comfortable with whichever she chooses to use and understands the loads limitations.  With buckshot you have to be sure to pattern your gun, because every one shoots it differently. 

[whackadeer]

Can't use buckshot for deer in Indiana. I know about the kick but she really wanted this gun. I put a Limbsaver slip on recoil pad and added some weight inside the stock and will probably use low recoil slugs. I hope when sighting in that she can stand it. If she gets a shot at a deer she won't feel it.

[tacklebury]

Very cool, just wanted to warn in case it wasn't known.  Another thing you could do is use some sand paper on a dowel and open the choke restriction just slightly.  Good luck to her, hope she gets a big-un. 

[bikerbeans]

There is at least other one option besides a foster slug for a smoothbore slug gun and that is an attached wad slug.  The slug design is similar in that it is stable in flight by being weight forward and not by spinning like a bullet fired from a rifled barrel.  Brenneke makes attached wad slugs for smoothbore shotguns but I would read the fine print and make sure that are good to go with a full choke.  I have shot brenneke attached wad slugs in a 410 with a full choke but I have no experience shooting them in a 20 ga with a choke.

Wait, your are in Indiana, buy her a 357 Maxi for Mother's Day.
 
 
BB

[jpshaw]

Simply use a sandbag between the butt and her shoulder for sighting in or checking loads.  Don't worry about it while hunting.  When she has a deer in front of her it won't kick at all.
 
Just use a Foster style slug and do not worry about the choke.

[Jal5]

Mine is the same configuration and is very accurate up to 70 yds. Recoil never bothered me with your recoil pad on it. Mine is d&t for a scope. Plain Rem Sluggers 2.75
Good luck.

[gcrank1]

Dont know if they make reduced velo Foster slug loads but if they do try them. In a full choke Id be reluctant to use the Brenneke style, though they have deep vanes that should compress going through it, they are kinda expensive and I got better groups with basic Win. Foster's in mine.
Get a couple of boxes of Rem., Fed., and Win. and try them all.
For her I suggest standing, not off the bench or it will beat her up, then game over. My shooting experienced wife only took 3 shots before she gave up on the slug gun.
Dont let her get her cheek down on the comb either, but use more heads up sighting. That thing will punch her in the cheekbone and sighting right down the top of the barrel wont likely put the slug on target. You might want to do the tests and get the sighting figured first. a little wood block simulating a rear sight taped around the barrel and Magic Marker blacked may give her the right heads up and reference point to make good hits.
BTW, do you want it to be a choked gun for shot use? Even so, will you use shot to distance or how would a cyl. bore 20 be for you guys for closer in/more open pattern shot loads?