Question on Smooth Bore vs. Rifled Slug Barrels

[Yukon Gold]

Looking to try my hand as using a shotgun (slug) for deer hunting this year.  In the past, I always lived in areas which allows rifles, so my knowledge of shotgun slug performance is non-existent.

Here is the question:

I have a Benelli SBE II (smooth bore) I use for waterfowl - is there a significant performance difference between using a "rifled" slug in a smooth bore, or purchasing a "rifled" barreled shotgun and using the appropriate slug for that?
 I guess there might be a third option of buying a rifled slug choke and using it on the SBE II.

I would prefer not having to buy a new barrel or a new shotgun if the performance difference (effective range and accuracy) is not that significant.  For the SBE II, the barrels run about $650 - so it's like buying another shotgun.

Please educate me!

Thanks

[506th]

A rifled barrel with sabots will give the best results. Some claim to get 1"-2" groups @ 100 yards with the right gun and ammo. Sabots are quite expensive in my opinion. $8-15 per box (5 rounds).

Rifled slugs in smoothbores can give good results but I would stick to 50 yard shots. Maybe a little farther but your not going to get the accuracy sabots can get at 100 yards.  But the rifled slugs are affordable.  Though I have not tried them, Federal has a new rifled slug called Truballs that claim to get 2" groups consistantly at 50 yards.  Prices are like $3.99 a box.

I have no experience with rifled chokes.

[williek]

1. Rifled barrels 100 plus yards.  Must use sabot slugs.
2. Rifled choke insert.  75 plus yards.  Seem to favor Foster slugs.  (The old fashioned skirted slug)
3. Smoothbore 50-75 yards.
Foster slugs 50 plus
Brenneke slugs 75 plus
4. Individual guns may shoot better.  My father had an early gas operated J.C. Higgens auto 12ga. that would shoot Fosters to 6 inch groups at 100 yards.  It had a poly-choke type device that could be opened to a slug setting and gave exceptional accuracy with slugs. I only hunted in rifle hunting areas and sold the gun.  I regret having done so,  not because it was such a great gun, but because it was my fathers.  Young men do very foolish things sometimes.  Hope this helps.  
I think you will find that a 12ga. slug is a VERY effective weapon for whitetail deer as long as they are within range.  The only way to find out how your gun will do is take it to the range and shoot it.
Good Hunting
williek

[Sx2]

Smoothbores don't typically shoot sabots very well. I tried, ok out to 50 yards but who knows after that.

Your biggest limitation on your SBE for slugs is SIGHTS. You need at least decent open sights. (some shoot a bead ok, best to 'em)

Yes replacement barrels are expensive. You can go get a new or used shotgun like a Mossberg with slug barrel for a decent price. Then you have a gun for the job AND another gun for your collection.

[Yukon Gold]

  Thanks for the information Gents - learned a few things.

I was thinking of getting a set of iron sights that fits onto the rib (from Tru-Glo).  They look pretty good, and should fit the bill.

Gonna try a rifled choke and see how it shoots.

Otherwise, I might just get one of those H&R rifled single shot shotguns.

Thanks,

[Sx2]

Tried the rib sights on my sons mossberg. good for a shotgun pattern for turkey hunting. Horrible with slugs. Results may varie.

Treat yourself to the H&R

[Jason]

With as cheap as the H&R slug guns are, save the money you'd spend on a rifled choked tube and let it pay for a nice portion of the H&R slug gun. Those H&R's are one of the best slug guns out there, and really cheap, too. Their accuracy rivals a good rifle within 100 to 150 yards if you take the time to find slugs they like.  A friend from college that hunts a shotgun-only zone went from a $1500 custom auto slug gun to one of the H&Rs that had nothing done to it other than adding a scope and a little trigger work. The H&R was much lighter, slightly more accurate, and had a pretty good trigger out of the box, unlike most shotguns.

[Yukon Gold]

Will give those H&R's a look.  Thanks