The Firearm Blog

[ This guest post was written by Michigan Slugger ]

After 20 years of shooting about every brand of sabot slug out there, our group of four has 2 favorite slugs we shoot. So far the best we have found for accuracy and power with our 12 ga. slug guns is the Winchester Platinum Tip-1700 fps and the Remington Solid Copper, 1450 fps- all 2 3/4 inch shells. We use Remington 870, Browning BPS and Browning Gold shotguns shooting cantilevered rifled barrels only-1 in 28″ twist. 1 1/2- 2″ groups is the norm at 100 yds. 3-4″ groups at 150yds. are the norm.

These groups are shot with very little wind. Do not shoot in windy conditions because you will get inconclusive results and for the fact these shells are expensive! We sight in 2″ high at 50yd. , which will put these slugs at about 2″ high at 100 yd. 150 yd groups will be 2-4″ low. For 150 yd. zero sight in 2.5″ high at 100yd. Both these sabot slug brands shoot to about same point of aim

Most people should forget about 200 yd shots because of wind deflection , poor rest setup, and inability to judge distance. We shoot 3 shot groups because barrel heat will spread groups out after 3 shots. Shoot in weather below 60 degrees. Wait 10-15 minutes between groups. Recheck groups in cold weather when it gets close to deer season. Slugs can shoot a little lower in extreme cold.

Some of us are going to a custom 1-26″ twist barrel and then we should be able to shoot 1800-2000fps slugs more accurate. Only thing is , you get considerably more recoil which I detest. Our 1 in 28″ twist barrels are factory barrels made by Browning and Remington. Hastings barrels are 1 in 34″ twist. They seem to shoot Hastings and Lightfield slugs much better which are medium velocity and use a heavier slug . These slugs also use a special wad for stability down range.

Winchester Platinum Tip slugs are 400 gr. and Remington Copper Solids are 438 gr. You will get very good expansion at all ranges up to 150 yds. I feel you lose too much velocity and energy at 200 yds to get good knock down power . Use 1900-2000 fps. slugs for shooting beyond 150 yds. They will expand better and produce more energy at 200 yds. I particularly like Remington Solid Copper sabot slugs-1450 fps. in 2 3/4″ and 1550 fps. in 3″ slug. They have enough power and acceptable recoil. Also, they are faster on 2 nd. and 3 rd. shots because the barrel does not rise much after each shot.

Only shoot 1800-2000 fps slugs if you can tolerate recoil and muzzle blast, have a heavy gun, have a very good recoil pad, or heavy muzzle blast does not bother your ears. These high velocity slugs will cause your barrel to rise considerably. Wear ear protection on the bench for all slug shooting and especially for high velocity slugs.

Our preference for slugs comes from 4 people after hundreds of shots on the range over a period of 20 years. Other people may get different results with their guns. Every gun is different and you must shoot various sabot slugs out of your gun to determine the best for you. Start with the slugs I suggested as a starting point. Buy 1 box of Winchester Platinum Tips and 1 box of Remington Solid Copper and find which one shoots the best out of your barrel. If you are recoil intolerant , go with 2 3/4″ Rem. Solid Copper, providing this slug shoots good out of your gun. This shell is a pleasure to shoot.

Weaver Grand Slam and Bushnell Elite are two good scopes I can recommend for slug hunting. We have used these with good results. Some scopes are not meant for slug hunting and can not take the punishment. Try to use a premium scope and not the cheap ones. Cheap scopes will lead to erratic results with your groups. They will not hold point of impact. The crosshairs will shift after shooting, leading to frustration on your part because you will be unable to get decent groups. You will end up with fliers. You might as well have a good scope because you will pay for it in shell cost. If you are having problems grouping slugs, try a different scope before buying different brands of slugs. Check screw tightness and make sure you have good rings. Buy a premium scope that can take the punishment of slug shooting. Slugs can generate 35-45 ft.lbs. of recoil. Call a scope manufacturer about the models that can take slug shooting.

Bushnell 1.5-6×36 Elite 4200 Shotgun Scope

We also use Leupold PRW scope rings on our cantilever barrels. We strongly urge you to use cantilever barrels because the scope comes off with the barrel and is sighted in for the barrel. Otherwise if you mount to the receiver and take off the barrel you will have to resight in each time. Not good. Do not use cheap rings. Use rings that have 2 screws on each side for a total of 4 screws for better holding power. Check screw tightness on rings and bases before each season. Slugs produce a lot of recoil and will loosen screws.

We use a 3 legged portable rest mounted on a plywood platform with a bag of shot mounted on the platform for recoil absorption. It slides back about an inch when the gun is fired thereby taking up recoil. We just sit behind the rest and look through the scope, but we do not put our shoulder into the gun. The rest takes up all the recoil, so we don’t have to! When sighting in fire one shot at 25yd. Move crosshairs to center of hole in target while not moving shotgun. Slug gun will now be centered dead on at 25 yds. Use a friend to move scope adjustments while you hold gun steady . You must hold gun absolutely steady! This will sight gun close to where it should be. Readjust at 50yd. This sight in method will save you a lot of expense due to the high price of these slugs.

Scrub out bore with a good solvent that takes out plastic residue from sabots along with gunpowder. Use a brush and rags to do this. Finish up with rubbing alcohol on a rag to take out all residue. Failure to do this will lead to plastic build up which will lead to inaccuracy. I hope this helps you slug shooters that are having problems with your shotgun or with your slugs.

Xavier has a write of an an amazing five barrel shotgun made in Czechoslovakia.

Looks like a similar concept as the Winchester Liberator and Colt Defender

Eight barreled 20 gauge
Colt Defender Mark 1

Read it here.

Winchester has launched a reduced recoil .260 S&W for hunting. They claim it has 50% less recoil than a regular .460 S&W cartridge. The reduce recoil comes at a cost of approx. 34% less muzzle energy.

The press release:

For 2008, Winchester Ammunition offers a reduced recoil load for the .460 S&W Magnum, allowing shooters more pleasurable target sessions and hunting options. A proven big bore hunting caliber, the .460 S&W provides excellent energy transfer and deep penetration. The new Winchester Super-X® .460 S&W Reduced Recoil round features a 250-grain jacketed hollow point bullet, a muzzle velocity of 1,450 feet per second (fps) and an impressive 1,517 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.

Engineered to offer nearly 50-percent reduction in recoil compared to full power loads, while still retaining enough energy for hunting at normal handgun distances, the new .460 S&W Reduced Recoil load is an ideal choice for deer-sized game, predators and target shooting. The more manageable recoil also allows hunters the benefit of quicker follow-up shots.

The reduced load still has significantly more muzzle energy than the .44 Magnum.

Left to right: .460 S&W Magnum, .454 Casull,
.44 Magnum, .45ACP, .22LR

Winchester has announced the “Theodore Roosevelt 150th Model 1895″ chambered in, of course, the .405 Win. (a favorite of Roosevelt).

High Grade Model

It comes in two models, the limited edition Custom Grade:

This set includes a Custom version and High Grade version limited to 250 very special sets of rifles with extraordinary embellishment and special matching serial numbers.

This Custom version has grade 3-4 walnut, beautiful engraving on a blued receiver with extensive gold plating embellishment, extreme polish, tight fits and finishes and more. All coordinated between Winchester Repeating Arms and our custom embellishment partner, Baron Engraving of Connecticut. The High Grade version features similar engraving with a nitride (gray) finish with elegant gold enhancements and grade 2-3 walnut.

And the High Grade, also limited:

The Theodore Roosevelt 150th Anniversary High Grade Rifles are patterned after the Winchester 1895s he loved. Basic in their configuration as he liked, these special rifles are embellished with an array of engraved North American big game scenes — engraved on the receiver with gold highlights – showing the game he loved to pursue and the game that put him in the wilds where he developed the strongest, most modern conservation ethic in history. And today, this heritage continues for hunters and shooters all across America.

This is a Limited Edition run of 1,000 High Grade special rifles sold individually.

Winchester will be launching a new line of Safari ammo. They will be offering it in calibers 375 H&H Magnum, 416 Rigby, 458 Winchester Magnum and 416 Remington Magnum cartridge and will be using Nosler Partition and Nosler Solid bullets.

The new ammo will be available later this year.

They have not yet updated their website with the details.

The Press release:

When Africa calls, so does the need for being equipped with the proper ammunition to take down the game on your hunting list-and being prepared for game that may not be. Winchester’s new Safari Ammunition line was engineered to not only tackle the toughest game in Africa and the rest of the continents with supreme confidence, but to provide performance and versatility in virtually any situation.

Offered in the venerable 375 H&H Magnum, 416 Rigby and 458 Winchester Magnum, as well as the 416 Remington Magnum cartridge, the new Winchester® Safari line makes the most of these popular and proven African cartridges by pairing them with the finest bullet choices available-Nosler® Partition® and the new Nosler Solid™.

Nosler Partition bullets-with copper alloy jackets and lead-alloy cores-have long been favored around the world for accuracy and terminal performance on game. The new Nosler Solids-featuring a unique design and homogenous lead-free alloy construction-provide spectacular penetration and an impressively straight wound channel on large, thick-skinned game.

According to Glen Weeks, Winchester Centerfire Product Manager, “The Safari line was developed to meet the most demanding hunting needs. Each of the cartridges in the line provides the energy and knockdown power needed for the largest and most dangerous game. The Partition offerings are ideal for dangerous, or large thinner skin game, while the Solids will offer maximum penetration on the toughest hide and bone.”

Winchester Safari Ammunition features nickel-plated cartridge cases and is packaged in reusable 20-round plastic boxes with labels featuring recently discovered vintage Winchester artwork. The line will be available summer 2008.

This is the first of the 2008 rifles I am covering (during 2008).

Accuracy under all conditons. The Bell and Carlson™ composite stock features a textured charcoal grey matte finish for rugged good looks and improved grip in adverse conditions. The Pachmayr® Decelerator® pad helps take the felt recoil bite out of high performance magnum cartridges.

The claw extractor offers Controlled Round Feeding so the cartridge may be easily withdrawn from the chamber at any point after it leaves the magazine. The cartridge feed lips are part of the receiver for improved reliability and greater durability. The classic three-position safety offers both on safe and fire positions, plus a middle position that locks the firing pin yet still allows the bolt to be operated, providing a greater margin of safety when checking the chamber condition or unloading. The Extreme Weather SS’s free floating, fluted stainless barrel is made in the same factory as those found on U.S. military rifles and machine guns, and features a recessed target crown to help protect the rifling.

1 MOA accuracy with superior optics and match ammo under ideal conditions can be expected from the Extreme Weather SS.

.308 Model (Also available in .270, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, 270 WSM, 300 WSM and 325 WSM):

Magazine Capacity: 5
Barrel Length 22″
Nominal Overall Length: 41″
Nominal Length of Pull: 13 3/4″
Nominal Drop at Comb: 1/2″
Nominal Drop at Heel: 1/2″
Nominal Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz.
Rate of Twist: 1 turn in 12″
Metal Finish: Stainless Steel
Stock / Grip: Bell and Carlson premium composite stock
Retail: $1,149

More here.

The turkey gun:

You can’t miss with a TRUGLO® Red Dot scope! The Active Valve system reduces felt recoil. The 24″ barrel with 3½” chamber and an Extra-Full Extended Turkey choke tube, make this one incredible turkey gun. Extra features include the protective Dura-Touch® Armor Coating on the weather-resistant camo composite stock. The .742″ Back-Bored Technology provides optimum shot patterns. Steel sling swivel studs are included.

Specs:

Gauge: 12
Barrel Length: 24″
Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz
Retail: $1399

More here.

As the name suggests this is the light weight version of the model 70 and is avlible in most common sporting calibers.

The legendary handling and quickness of the Model 70 Featherweight Deluxe is justly famous among hunters everywhere. The Model 70 action offers Pre-’64 style Controlled Round Feeding, a three-position safety and is highlighted by a jeweled bolt and knurled bolt handle. Inside is the new M.O.A. Trigger System, the finest trigger ever offered in a bolt-action with zero take up, zero creep and zero overtravel.

Like the original Featherweight, the angled comb walnut stock still features the Schnabel fore-end and satin finish with elegant cut checkering. A premium Pachmayr® Decelerator® recoil pad helps soak up felt recoil. It’s available in the most popular long and short action calibers, including WSM chamberings.

Available in .243, 7mm-08, .308, .270, 30-06, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM, .270 WSM, .325 WSM

More here.

The Sporter Deluxe features a satin finished walnut stock with cut checkering on its trim fore-end and pistol grip, along with a sculpted cheekpiece for precise scope alignment to create a superbly balanced rifle that’s lighter to carry. The premium Pachmayr® Decelerator® recoil pad with the ideal contact area offers optimal protection against felt recoil while still being quick to the shoulder.

Along with the Sporter’s great looks and handling come a cold-hammer forged barrel and the crisp new three-lever M.O.A. Trigger System to let you fully exploit the 1 MOA accuracy potential of this classic hunting rifle. Available in popular long and short action calibers including WSM calibers.

Available in calibers: .270, 30-06, 300 Win Mag, 300 WSM, 270 WSM and 325 WSM.

More here.

As far as I can see the action is identical to the “Speed Pump Defender” and is a hunting version of the shotgun ie. longer barrel.

Rugged reliability with a non-glare matte finish on the barrel and receiver that won’t cause birds to flare. The durable composite stock and forearm are up to tough conditions. The hard working Speed Pump action fires all factory 2 3/4″ and 3″ steel, tungsten, bismuth and lead loads through a new, chrome plated .724″ back-bored barrel with Invector-Plusâ„¢ chokes, ensuring optimum patterns. Choose a tough 12 gauge with 26″ or 28″ barrel.
Specs:

Gauge: 12
Barrel Length: 26″ / 28″
Weight: 7 lbs / 7lbs 4 oz

Seems Winchester Arms wants to get into the personal protection market!

Easy to pack and carry, handling buckshot or rifled slugs efficiently through the fully chrome plated, 18″ cylinder choked barrel (no constriction) for wide patterning. This open choke is also very accurate when using Foster-type slugs. It also has non-glare metal surfaces with a tough composite stock and forearm. Additional features include a five-shot magazine, (plus one in the chamber) and a positive, deeply grooved forearm for control and stability.

This is the do-it-all model. Use it for home security, competition or hunting. It also packs easily for camping. The six-round capacity, composite stock and forearm impart confidence and capability. It’s all the gun you need for security and peace of mind.

Specs:

Gauge: 12
Barrel Length: 18″
Weight: 6 lbs 8 oz

More here.

Another beautiful shotgun from winchester:

It will get the job done fast. The Walnut Field features an elegant, gloss-finished walnut stock and forearm with cut checkering. And, because it’s a Speed Pump, it’s equipped with the Invector-Plusâ„¢ choke tube system, the most popular choke tube system in the world with target shooters. The Invector-Plus also gives you a chrome-plated .742″ back-bored barrel for less shot deformation and more consistent patterns. Full, modified and improved cylinder choke tubes are included, ready for any game you choose. Select a 26″ or 28″ barrel length.

Specs:

Gauge: 12
Barrel Length: 26″ / 28″
Weight: 7 lbs / 7 lbs 4 oz

More here.

This is a very cool looking shotgun

I love the red receiver

Pictured here is a duplicate of the Super X3 shotgun that Patrick Flanigan shoots. Only his magazine tube has been modified to hold more shells. In timing Patrick’s ability to fire 12 shots, he was clocked at cycling all dozen shells in 1.442 seconds – the fastest ever recorded. Everything about the Super X3 is designed for speed and performance. Faster follow-up shots can be made because of the reduced felt recoil. The Active Valve system allocates gases in a clean, precise manner. The gun is light and responsive.

The barrel’s .742″ Back-Bored Technology works with the Invector-Plusâ„¢ choke tube system to provide consistent, dense patterns. The Dura-Touch® Armor Coating keeps the stock from slipping in your hands. The stock is adjustable for a custom fit to your shooting style and body type, thus maximizing overall efficiency of fit, balance and swing.

Now, Patrick’s incredible Super X3 autoloader can be yours, just like the one he uses to break world records (with a standard magazine tube). It is fully configured for exhibition or sporting use, including an additional gas piston to allow the use of a full range of factory loads from the lightest 1 oz. target loads to heavy 3″ magnums if desired, all with clockwork reliability.

Specs:

Gauge: 12
Barrel Length: 28″
Weight: 7 lbs. 4 oz.
Retail: $1,349

More here.

A nice looking autoloading shotgun

Introduce yourself to the new Winchester Super X3 Classic Field – the newest autoloader to join the rack at Winchester Repeating Arms. The Classic style stock is tastefully checkered in a traditional sharp diamond style for good looks and a firm grip. A graceful machined rib aligns your eye with the solid brass bead at the muzzle. The self-adjusting Active Valve gas system reduces felt recoil significantly more than inertia-operated systems. A traditionally-styled, proprietary next generation Pachmayr® Decelerator® recoil pad is fitted directly to the stock.

Trim grip and forearm dimensions add to the lightweight, fast handling feeling. The .742″ Back-Bored Technology and Invector-Plusâ„¢ choke tube system work together to provide perfect patterns. A unique gunmetal grey Perma-Cote UT (Ultra Tough) surface finish is applied to external surfaces for extreme corrosion protection, and the bolt is plated with electroless nickel to reduce friction and for added corrosion resistance. Three choke tubes are included.

Specs:

Gauge: 12
Barrel length 26″ / 28″
Weight: 6 lbs 12oz / 7 lbs

More here.