Regular slugs in a rifled barrel

[shind444]

A little help please.

I have a 870 express with a rifled barrel. Sabots have always shot very well. Expensive, but well. I read an article that said rifled slugs and or sabots can be used efficiently in a rifled barrel. Before I use rifled slugs, I was hopeing that you could elighten me as to your experiences and any safety related issues I might reflect on before I use them. The up side is I could shoot a lot more, based on the price difference. Oh well, please let me know your opinions.

Steve

Eph.1:7

[GRIMJIM]

I believe this has been discussed before here. Try a search for a more detailed answer.

My 11-87 with a rifled barrel shoots rottweil/berneke better than any sabot slug I tried.

No problem whatsoever shooting a foster type slug in a rifled barrel/

[jjas]

I used to have an 870 w/a rifled slug barrel and I tried shooting foster slugs through it and it leaded up something crazy after just one or two shots and the accuracy was horrible.

But....one buddy of mine shoots reduced recoil remington sluggers in a Mossberg 500 12 gauge and can shoot 3" groups @ 100 yards. Maybe its the shallow grooves in a Mossberg slug barrel the twist rate and/or the reduced velocity (1200 fps) of the slugs, but minimal lead and good accuracy. A few swipes w/a bore snake (with hoppes) and the barrel looks clean and the accuracy is consistent.

I've also read other posts from guys who've had good luck w/brenneke and fiocchi slugs in
a rifled bore that didn't lead up too bad and the accuracy was good @ most woods ranges (75 yards or under).

The last point I'll make is that you will lose quite a bit of  range shooting a foster slug vs the modern saboted ammo.  Most foster-type slugs are good to 75-100 yards and after that the drop, drift and loss of energy becomes a problem.

I tend to hunt in fairly thick areas so foster slugs work fine (when I carry a slugger).  If I'm going to hunt where I need more range, I'll pull out my muzzleloader.

Jim

[IOWA DON]

Whayt I have read and observed is that ther may not be a lot of difference in accuracy between a smoothbore and a rifled barrel for the old fashoned slugs at 50 yards. However, at 100 yards there is a big accuracy advantage with the rifled barrel.

[jeager106]

Leading.
Some s.g. barrels are roughly finished inside and lead like mad.
It isn't worth it.
Either go to a smooth bore gun or stick with the the right ammunition in the rifled tube.
My smoothie slug barrels are all polished mirror brite to cut down on leaning.
It's easy to polish the inside of you smooth bore.
Scotch pad, non embedding 600 grit in the pad, 'lectric hand drill with 5/8 dowel cut to accept patch, spin with dowel chucked in approriate hand drill.