I think I've read every thread in this forum regarding the Ultra Slug Hunters and I've jumped on the USH bandwagon. I just ordered my son the 20 ga. youth model and I'm anxious to see how he and it performs. No doubt in my mind that both will do well.
Now dad's getting the itch to upgrade from his 870 12 ga. (scoped w/rifled slug barrel). I'm trying to restrain myself from pulling the trigger now and get rid of the 870 for an USH. I think the best thing to do is wait and see how my kid's USH handles at the range and in the field and then maybe pick one up for myself next year.
The 20 ga. selection for my son was a no brainer by virtue of his age and size. Dad has more options!
First, I've never used anything but a 12 ga. for deer hunting. The consistent negative comment I keep reading about the USH 12 ga. is the recoil. But can it be any worse than an 870's? I would think it would be less because of its weight. Grant it, I haven't shot the 1,900 fps slugs out of the 870 and personally me shooting them out of the USH would be an exception rather than the norm. But recoil out of the 870 shooting 1,450 fps Lightfields and Copper Solids is not pleasant, but certainly is tolerable.
Hunting in Michigan's farm belt, you have two options: 1) you hunt the open fields, or 2.) you hunt the woodlots. I've always preferred being in the woods and I'm kind of stuck hunting in one area of the property because of other friends being elsewhere. That being said, I have no more than a 75 yd. shot and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
From everything I've read the 20 ga is very effective out to that range. But what makes the 12 or 20 decision difficult for me is seeing how those bucks react after getting nailed with a 12 ga. sabot. I'm having a hard time being convinced that a 5/8-6/8 oz round out of a 20 ga. would do the same job. Maybe you all can try convincing me some more! The energy of a 12 ga Lightfield at 100 yards (1,378#s) is more than the 20 ga Lightfield at 50 yards (1,351#s). To get the same energy level out of a 20 ga at a 100 yards and beyond you need to go to a 1,900 fps sabot that's going to leave a smaller hole and inherently create more recoil coming out of the 20. So I'm not sure what would be accomplished in the end by going the 20 ga route? Maybe the 12 ga is over-kill inside of a 100 yds to begin with and is just clouding the picture?
I've picked up the 12 ga once in the store and my initial reaction was: "my gosh this is a canon!" I need to pick it up a few more times to determine if it's something I would even be comfortable with regardless of how well it shoots. I will say the 20 ga Ultra deluxe shouldered like dream...man it felt sweet!
I have a year to decide but at the moment I'm still leaning towards the 12 ga... if I can get comfortable with it's weight. Well already have my son's 20 ga. in the house and the 12 might allow for some options for either of us down the road.
I would really appreciate to hear your comments, your experiences with either the 12 or 20, or if there's anything else I need to consider in this decision.
Thanks
