Shotgun for Deer questions


Huntr104

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I just got permission to hunt some private land. I never go out on public land here during the Shotgun season, way too many guys that's why Bow and Muzzleloader are my favorite. Anyway.

I have a Remington 870 Express in 12 ga. with a Rifled barrel. I used to get good groups with the Remington Copper Solid slugs. It's been a few years and I know there have been new slugs made and was wondering what you guys have found to be the most accurate slugs?

Next, I'm going to put a scope on the gun. I have all Nikons on my other rifles. So I was thinking of putting on a Nikon Pro Staff scope. Is there any difference between a regular scope and a scope that is advertised for "Shotguns"? Are they made to handle more recoil. I have Prostaff's on my 7mm Rem. Mag and 300 Win. Short Mag and my .50 Cal muzzleloader they kick pretty hard and never seemed to bother the accuracy. Any thought? thanks

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Guest ILdeerhunter

Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

I put down my 11-87 for a NEF 12ga single shot. I tested windchester,remington,and litchfield. My gun Runs best w/ federal 2 2/4 barnes sabots.

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Guest ILdeerhunter

Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

Just remember one gun will like one sabot and the same identical gun off the assembly line will prefer another sabot. Buy a box from each brand and test them yourself. I shoot Federal Other guys in my camp use brennekke and winchester. With the price of a box so high it is painful to buy a few boxes to burn up so quick

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

Winchester Mag. 3" have always patterned best for me. I still have a target that has a pattern of 3 shots that look like a clover leaf--(all touching each other) from 75 yards, off the bench of course, but still, that's accurate enough for me.

Another round that patterned really well for me was the 3" Lightfields.

I shoot the 870 Express, BTW.

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

I use the 870 Express 20 gauge with a slug barrel and rifle sights. I have killed more deer with it than with my .243 and 30-06 combined.

I don't have a scope on it and I shoot ordinary Remington or Winchester slugs. I've taken deer at 150 yards on several occasions, contrary to popular belief that this can be done.

My husband shoots a 12 gauge Mossberg and just had a scope put on it last year. When we went to Bass Pro to have it done, they told us that a rifle scope won't handle the recoil of a shotgun. We got a Nikon made for shotguns. My husband loves it.

My husband also uses ordinary Remington or Winchester slugs. Hes never had a problem getting a deer.

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Guest gfourhunter

Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

i have a browning gold hunter with a rifled bbl. 12g. i found the best slug it likes is the federal barns expanders. with my 1187 smooth bbl i found it likes best the new fed truball foster slug. like been said before ( every gun is different)

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

i have a 1974 rem 1100, with a hasting rifle barrel.... the best i have found are teh lightfield 2 3/4 sabots. I have taken deer from 145 yards to 5 yards with these, never ahd a deer run more than 30 yards with these, they hit very hard.....oh i also liek a 2 x simmons pro-diamond scope. i dont like magnification that much

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Guest lilcrackshot

Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

870 Coppers are as good as they were a few years ago and are very effective on deer. A shotgun scope is designed for closer shots and I would reccomend a Leupold.

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Guest asilvia68

Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

I use a mossberg with the Winchester Platnuim tips 2 3/4 and get 1" groups at 50yrds. I have tried other loads including magnums but none shot as well or felt as good.

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

I've used a lot of different kinds of slugs I also shoot an 870, I've got a lowpower Swift scope on it, it's served me well so far but as far as loads go, I have to say, while saboted slugs shoot a lot flatter than the traditional foster-style slugs, it seems the foster slugs have a lot better stopping power than the sabots. I lost a buck that I hit with a sabot, but I've recovered every one I've hit with fosters. I haven't used the sabots a whole lot, my uncle does and he had to put 2 in the last buck he shot after the buck got up after being hit. I've had my best success with Remington foster style slugs, although I'm gonna pick up some more sabots this year.

The Nikon Pro staff scopes are very nice, I bought one for my muzzleloader and have loved it so far. A little pricy, as compared to the scope on my shotgun but it's worth it.

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

Remington makes the Copper Solid I believe the name of the shell is (don't hold me to that) but as for the scope by dad put a Nikon Scope on his Remington 1100 and it has had no problem except that the mounting bracket was junk so he has to get a different one, other then that those Remington shells with his rifled barrell and that scope makes 100 yard shots easy!...for him any way...I just havn't picked up on the old mans talent yet! smirk.gif

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

Shotgun scopes have thicker and more durrable reticules. Shotguns have a higher forced recoil. if you use a rifle scope, the reticules could move or even break in half. I had this happen to me when I first put a scope on my shotgun. I have a VX-1 leopould shotgun/muzzleloader scope on mine. I think it's great.

As for slugs. I shoot the Barnes Expander made by Federal. They have a 1900 ft/sec muzzle velocity. I shoot a 2 1/2 group at 100 yards out of my browning gold. But I tried these loads with my past 870 express. And I had a terrible patern at 100 yards. So with my remington, they shot like crap.

Moral if the story, buy one box of a couple different brands and see what shoots best in your gun!!!!

Rossman

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

If the coppersolids are accurate, theres no reason to change. Unless you wanna try to find something a little better. I'm pretty sure the Prostaff scope has a very short eye relief, I don't know that you would like that on a slug gun, they kick HARD. Especially an 870. On my dads 11-87, we have a Simmons Pro diamond 4x32. It has about a 6" eye relief. That is plenty enough for any gun. It has worked great for us the past few seasons. Still shoots dead-on. Not telling you that you should definetly buy that scope, but I don't think you would be dissapointed if you did.

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

I also have an 1100.. with a smooth bore ,I use the cheap remington sluggers. They seem to work the best for me. Ihave heard that if you shoot a rifled slug out of a rifled barrel, they will act against eachother somewhat? doesthis makesense to anyof you guys?

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Guest lucky_erickson

Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

I have a winchester Super X2 with a rifled slug barrel. I got restpectable groups with the Winchester Partion Gold Sabots. I also tried the new Hornady slugs at the same time.......just say I'll stay with the Winchesters. As far as a scope I use a Burris Fullfield II 3-9 with the ballistic plex reticle. It works great, and if you order relatively quickly, midwayusa.com had a good deal....free set of bincoculars with the scope...and they are nice binoculars too.

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Re: Shotgun for Deer questions

I shoot a 11-87 with a 26 inch bird barrel and a ic choke. Shoot the cheapest slugs i can find out of it and shoot an inch high at 100 yards with it. Never have had a slug barrel, my dad has one on his 870 wingmaster and it shoots very well. Last year we carried our muzzleloaders as well during shotgun season for the long range shots.

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