Shotgun question

[Gongshow]

Quick question,
What is the effective range of a 20 gauge non rifled shotgun shooting a slug?

Thanks,
Gongshow

[Bub]

Can't be more 40-50 yards, I would think. 50 would probably be pushing it too, IMO.
Maybe someone with more 20-gauge experience can chime in.

[catnthehat]

I have seen a 7/8 oz slug out of a 20 drop a deer at 113 yards with no problem
Cat

[Bub]

^ I haven't seen, but heard and read about people taking out a deer at 150+ out of a 20 ga. gun (rifled, I would assume), but definitely would not or advise anyone to attempt to do so.

Edit: I just think the probability of wounding an animal is far too great at those distances to make a shot. Maybe I am just a bad shot

[gs100bert]

the first deer i ever shot was with a 12 gauge at 60 yards died on the spot i think a 20 would be similar .

[philintheblank]

Did lots of hunting in ontario with slugs. I sited in at 100 yards no problem

[Flight01]

Depends on optics or sights , shooter and gun.

Going for a walk with a R.E.M. 870 and some federal rifled slugs I'd say 75 yards if you've been practicing and feel good about the shot.
A dedicated smoothnore slug gun with a scope, if you are practiced up I'd say 125 yards at least .

I've slung foster slugs from a 12 gauge out to 225 yards with good success on an 8" gong.

My furthest and only slug kill was 45 yards , 1oz 12 gauge slug through smooth bore mossberg 500 while grouse hunting in September , got a little 4x4 buck

[Bulldog Edm]

Not to derail the thread but I have a question about hunting deer with a shotgun in wmu 248. My hunting partner was out bow hunting and came across three guys with one shotgun blasting away at deer. I was under the impression that the only place in 248 you can hunt with a shotgun or muzzle loader was in parts of Strathcona County and Leduc County? Can anyone clarify this for me?

[beaver hunter]

Anyone ever use a short barreled shotty as a backup while bowhunting? Thinkin it might be good for anything circling downwind, within a short range obviously.

[graybeard]

This is what I use out of a 4x scoped Remy 870; 3" magnum; full rifled barrel.

At 100 yards it shoots consistent 3" groups all day; or as long as you can handle the recoil and/or at $5/round....They are $20/box/5.

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot at 175 to 200 yards. Remember it is scoped.

I think a smooth barrel with 2 3/4" Foster slugs is apples and oranges to what I have.....IMHO.


http://www.wholesalesports.com/store...Slugs/p/52351B

[BiggieB]

Deer in my photo was my first deer i ever killed, got it 3 years ago with a 12GA lakefield mossberg, shot it at 75 yards with a "Federal rifled slug 2 3/4" 1560FPS."

I have heard of Deer being dropped at well over 100 yards with a 20GA so more then enough stopping power.
The real problem at that range is accuracy because slugs can start to "barrel roll" and fly off of target at farther ranges. (Rifled slugs are a lot less likely to do so)
Just like with a rifle id suggest taking it out and doing a few practice shots to see how accurate you can be a specific distances and how ammunition acts. Find the best match for your firearm

[Suzukisam]

I have an Ithaca short barrel slug gun in 12 gauge very efective out to 100 yards no problem I would think 20 gauge would be the same since slug for it will be the same FPM just smaller and 7/8 ounce of lead is also a wall stopper. My riffled barrel has no problem at range hitting 150 yrd target