sighting in question

[scott payne]

I Have a H@R 20 slug and wanted to know if 2@ 3/4 inch slugs will sight in the same as 3"?
Also will the smaller slug have that much less killing power at say 75 yards. I'm sure the answer is no to both but wanted some opinions. These were the only one's they had at Dicks.
Thank you in advance.

[RYASON]

If you havent sighted in yet, do so with both. I would keep your shots under 50yds. Smooth bores suck. I wanted to use a 20ga 1100 years ago. When I got it to the range, I couldnt hit a bulls eye to save my life.

To many variables in the field and with a gun that isnt quite consistant, I couldnt take it out. In my opinion, a 12 ga would be a ton more effective at longer ranges. Rifled barrle and scope. Hopefully, someone here has that gun and can chime in.

Good luck

[TAILWALKER]

The H/R slug gun is rifled so that's not an issue.

To answer your question they will not group the same. Especially if they are from a different manufacturer. You need to shoot both to see how much differently they shoot. My boys both have H/R slug guns in 20 guage and they are very picky about what slugs they will shoot. So far the Hornady's shoot the best, which is good because they are one of the less expensive for the high end sabot slugs. They only make them in 2 3/4 but they are no less powerful than the 3" slugs from some of the other makers. You need to look at the ballistics printed on the back of the box to compare.

I also found that neither gun will shoot the high dollar Federal Barnes slugs worth a crap. I mean it shoots them all over the place. Clearly these slugs do not like the rate of twist of this slug gun. I've been told that the Remington copper solids are supposed to shoot good from these guns but I have not tried them yet. I hate paying 15-20.00 for 5 slugs just to see if they shoot ok. Slug prices suck. No way these should cost so much.

I just sighted both of my kids guns in two weeks ago and shot 50.00 worth of slugs just to see what it liked or didn't.:eek2:

I use a 12 gauge and they ballistically are much more powerful. Not that the 20 gauge won't do the job but comparing them ballistically the 12 has much more energy both at the muzzle and beyond 100 yards.

[Bug Guy]

My experiences with a 12 gauge:
- I second that different manufacturers will not group the same
- I've found greater variation with groupings in 2 3/4 vs. 3 in smooth bore than riffled barrels
- 3" slugs were more accurate up to 75, but not by much, when using same manufacterer (never tried further than that)

[rgminer]

I use Winchester sabot slugs in 3" but in Standard Velocity. I can shoot a group that's less than 3" at 100 yards with a rifled barrel. If I switch to my smooth bore slug barrel the accuracy suffers a lot. I have used the 23/4 inch variety of the same slug and the pattern is only slightly larger. There are a lot of variables, but as a rule, sight your gun in with the same ammo you plan to use to hunt and stick with it.

[crabby and son]

I shoot a Browning A Bolt and use 12 GA 2 3/4" Lightfields. I tried 3" but did not have good results. I have killed many deer and a few bears with it. It's more than you need. Each slug will shoot different out of each gun. A 2 3/4" will shoot different than a 3" so don't change w/o sighting in. Different manufacturers will shoot different also. Again, sight in with what you will hunt with. A 20 GA is good for deer with just a little less energy but shot placement is the key. Happy hunting..............Gary

[Fishing83181]

I have the H&R 20ga ultra slug gun and have hunted with it for about 5 years now. I have always shot the winchester BRI 5/8oz slug. I found it groups extremely well and it always finds it's mark, often dropping them in their tracks (with a shoulder shot). The 2 and 3/4 " round is very effective, although ballistically it does not seem so powerful when you read the box. I dont know what it is about the flat little slug but even though it travels slower than most, it seems to really hit hard. I have tried the higher performance slugs out of the gun but have found they do not group as consistent for my liking. Good luck, but to answer your question, each different round is going to shoot a bid differently. Try several and see which one you like. I have heard alot of good things about the new hornadys especially if you are looking to hunt fields and shoot out to 200 yards.

[No Diamonds]

Echoing what everyone here said they won't shoot the same. I love that gun and I don't even own one yet. I plan on getting it for my daughter. I've done a ton of research on it though. Personally, I would not bother with the 3" shells. Most reviews online say the Horandy sst or Lightfields depending on range of shot and how your gun groups. Try both, see which is better for your gun,end of story. That gun is a tack driver when set up right. Most folks say that the deer drop in there tracks when hit or at least don't make it very far. Good luck.

[scott payne]

Thanks to all for replys, I have spent the better part of three days shooting remington and
hornaday sst. The results are at 50 yards the hornadays seem to shoot better. The lesson I leaned is best to have some one to help cause it's a lot of walking. I feel that at 50-100 yds
I have a ring of roughly 10 inches, some are dead on but at the price of shells I'm going to
hunting. Thanks for all advice.

[Stumpknocker]

I shoot the H&R Ultra 20G. I shoot the Hornandy Slugs, and love it. I dropped two does last year at 125yds. They were dead before they hit the dirt.

[Russ D]

Honestly with todays new saboted slugs the 20 ga. is just as effective as the 12 gauge with less recoil. I shoot the Honrady SST's out of a Remington 11/87 20 gauge and can get good groups under 3" consistantly. The deer will not know the difference between the 20 and the 12.

[oceanrebel]

I have the 20 guage H&R ultra slug gun, It is a awesome gun, I have it sighted in at 200 yds, and it will group shots in a saucer plate, and will put the deer on the ground at that distance.I use the Hornady 250gr SST slugs,

Phil

[guzzi]

let me know if you want to come up to the club hunting again this year scott.. your more than welcome anytime