Author Topic: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy  (Read 3283 times)

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Offline kb

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Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« on: August 05, 2005, 11:20:51 AM »
What has everybody been getting with their 11-87's?  I am considering getting a rifled barrel for this season, but am not sure if it is worth the extra $.

My present configuration is a 12 ga smoothbore with a rifled choke.

Thanks,

kb
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Offline Sx2

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Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2005, 01:41:06 PM »
how far are ya shooting & what kind of groups do you get now?
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Offline mjbgalt

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Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2005, 01:59:21 PM »
based on my dads experiences, i know he shot less than 2" at 50 yards with his rifled tube.

so i wouldnt worry about the new barrel if you shoot like that one did.

-Matt
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Offline kb

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Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2005, 03:21:00 AM »
Im quite capable of shooting minute-of-whitetail.  Ive never taken a deer beyond 75 yards with this gun.  Its a great  gun.  I have just been wondering if it is worth up grading it.

Its been a long time since Ive benched it, so I couldnt really say what type of groups I shoot with it.  I use Wally world foster style slugs, and it stops them cold, +/- 20 yards.

kb
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Offline Sx2

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Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2005, 03:40:50 PM »
If you like shooting those cheap slugs, you may or may not be able to with the rifled barrel. It's debateable. The rifled slugs are designed for sabots $chaching$

Unless you just want a new toy (nothing wrong with that) stick to your guns (no pun intended :roll: )
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Offline Ramrod

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Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2005, 05:24:29 PM »
If you don't mind the expense, the sabot slugs and a rifled barrel will just about double your effective range. My 1100 with a 20 year old Hastings rifled tube will shoot 5 shots into one ragged hole at 50 yards, and under 2 inches at 100. 3 Shot groups run right around 1-1/2 inch. Longest kill so far was 125 yards. I don't get many long shots where I hunt, but I would not hesitate to try up to 150. Winchester BRI's have turned my shotgun into the ballistic equivallent of the .45-70.
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Offline kb

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Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2005, 09:38:52 AM »
Well thats what I was thinking of.  I know that the sabots are expensive, but are they worth it?  My open sighted, "smoothbore", wally-world slug shooting gun is cheap to feed, and quite effective, but some times I'd like to take longer shots and be selective where I hit 'em.
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Offline Bullseye

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Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2005, 01:08:01 PM »
I sold the smoothbore slug barrels on my 870's and upgraded to rifled barrels.  I have now sold the rifled barrels and am back to smoothbores.  For my 75 yards and less deer shooting that I do there was not enough improvement to justify the cost.  Maybe one of those sabot would have done the trick, but I could not afford to keep looking.  Being able to afford to practice was more important that any slight gain in accuracy I saw.

Offline eye shot

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2006, 12:36:32 PM »
KB I have about the same gun, barrel, and slugs as Ramrod and he's not kidding ragged one hole groups! Alot of center fire rifles will not group as well. You will not believe the differance over smooth bore.         









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Offline Critter

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2006, 12:44:16 PM »
I was like you, had great luck with a smoothbore and Brennekee slugs but I had a chance to upgrade on the cheap so I did.  What a difference.  I shot several groups at 100 under an inch.   I was getting 3.5" groups at 180 yards with the rifled barrel and Rem Copper Solids.  Now that is exceptional, I got real lucky with that gun and barrel, but it shows what is possible.  If you would like to make some longer shots and be confident in doing it I say try it.  Be prepared though becasue it is a large investment.  Trying 10 different boxes of sabots at $10 or better a box gets expensive.  Thats on top of the barrel and optics.  Buy good optics, you'll never regret it.

Offline nabob

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2006, 12:59:25 PM »
I also haven't seen a lot of difference in accuracy at the distances I hunt at with a shotgun between rifled barrels and smoothbore. Almost all my shots with a shotgun at deer have been at short yardage in thick cover and while some were upwards of  75 yards, most were under 50 yards. Sold the rifled barrel and now just a rifled choke tube and buckhammers. Rifled choke tube cost - $35. Good enough accuracy and lower cost in my case. YMMV.

Offline kb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2006, 10:43:06 AM »
Here is my benched 11/87 at 75 yards.

Its good enough for me.  If I want to go further, I think I'll go to an inline.  Cheaper and more accurate.  My Buckwacka, and Encore will both shoot 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards.  Even better if I really work at it Im sure.

Thanks,

kb
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Offline kb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2006, 10:45:33 AM »
Here are home-rolled Dangerious game slugs at 75 yards.
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Offline kb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #13 on: October 20, 2006, 10:47:48 AM »
And Home-rolled Hammerheads....  These shot much higher then expected, but the group is what really counts.  Sights can be adjusted..

kb
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Offline Ramrod

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2006, 01:11:54 PM »
Isn't that Lincoln about 6 inches long? I can get better groups offhand at that range with sabots. Plus, they shoot a whole lot flatter. Like I said last year, they will double your effective range.
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Offline daddywpb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #15 on: October 20, 2006, 10:24:27 PM »
Isn't that Lincoln about 6 inches long? I can get better groups offhand at that range with sabots. Plus, they shoot a whole lot flatter. Like I said last year, they will double your effective range.

I agree with Ramrod. I bought a fully rifled barrel for my 11/87 two years ago. It took some experimenting, but the 2 3/4" Remington Copper Solids will group less than 2" at 50 yards. I haven't tried them at 100 yards yet - I would need a scope for my old eyes, but then 100 yard shots around here are not common. My slug gun is inteneded for going into palmetto scrub after hogs. If I think I'm going to get a 100 yard shot, I'll bring a rifle. I think you will do better than 6" groups off a bench at 75 yards with the sabots.

My barrel is very picky. The above mentioned ammo grouped much better than anything else. 3" loads would not group at all. I thought it was from my flinching, but I had a buddy of mine shoot it also and the groups from every brand of 3" shell I tried looked like shotgun patterns  ;D.

The sabots are pricey, but when you find the load your barrel likes, it will be worth it.

Offline kb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #16 on: October 21, 2006, 01:47:47 AM »
A six inch group at 75 yards from a smooth bore (with a rifled choke tube), and open sights seems pretty good for me.  Im not a well practiced shooter, so Im pretty happy with it. 

If I were shooting sabots, Id EXPECT better results.  New technologies, greater expectations.  Foster style slugs arent cutting edge technology, but still work.  (Ive taken many deer with a patched round ball out of my muzzleloader - and it still works.)

Im still thinking of a barrel..or a whole new gun..  Its more on a tinkering thing then a need.

kb
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Offline eye shot

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2006, 10:05:21 AM »
 KB
        Six in. groups not that good for deer, you could miss vitals and gut shot deer can be hard to find. If you would happen to get a 100yrd. shot that 6 in. group could be off the paper!
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Offline daddywpb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2006, 02:01:53 PM »
With a fully rifled barrel on my 11/87 SP, I get 2" groups offhand at 50 yards. It's a great gun. Ammo is 2 3/4" Remington Copper Solids.

Offline kb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2006, 10:50:57 PM »
KB
        Six in. groups not that good for deer, you could miss vitals and gut shot deer can be hard to find. If you would happen to get a 100yrd. shot that 6 in. group could be off the paper!


True, but I wouldnt take a 100 yard shot with this gun. 

Where I hunt its unusual to get a 50 + yard shot (too thick).  If I know that I might get a long shot (it depends which stand I sit in) then I'll bring along a different gun.  We cant use rifles here, so Id be "limited" to my inlines. 

For the price of a rifled Rem barrel, I could get a new gun!!  If they weren't so expensive, there really wouldnt be any hesitation.  Id be rifled and scoped in a heartbeat!

Kb
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Offline 1187VX2

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #20 on: October 26, 2006, 08:12:23 AM »
My 11-87 likes the Federal 3/4 oz. Barnes Sabots or the Winchester 400 grain Sabots - either will group less than 2 " at 100 yards.  Killed 2 deer with Barnes load last year at 145 yards.  The 11-87 cantilever is about as good as you can get - all things considered- for a slug gun.  However, there are drawbacks if you aren't overly wealthy.  The gun isn't cheap and the shells I mentioned are really a rip off price wise.  Practice is essential, but also very costly if you use these hunting loads. 

The gun is great but I plan to use the Savage muzzleloader this year.   A little more accurate and way cheaper to shoot & practice with.

Offline kb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #21 on: November 24, 2006, 02:16:31 PM »
The gun is great but I plan to use the Savage muzzleloader this year.   A little more accurate and way cheaper to shoot & practice with.

I picked up the ML2, and am very impressed with it.  Im shooting 1.5 inch groups @ 100, and can reach out to 200 yards with alot of practice.  Muzzle velocity @ 2200 fps, and much less than $1 a shot!!!

Works on deer too!

kb
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Offline 1187VX2

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #22 on: November 27, 2006, 07:24:38 AM »
Yes, killed a nice, big 6 pt with my Savage at 215 yards last week.  One heck of a gun - I guess I'll have to change my screen name.....

Offline kb

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #23 on: November 28, 2006, 01:13:52 PM »
What is your load?  Im shooting 43g SR4759, with a .452 XTP and a Harvester sabot.

kb
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Offline 1187VX2

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Re: Rem 11-87 12 ga rifled slug accuracy
« Reply #24 on: November 28, 2006, 03:48:49 PM »
Same as you except I use the MMP sabot (the one the came with the gun).