In years past, slug-shooting guns were nearly any shotgun your customers owned and used for deer hunting — they simply slid in some standard slug loads and went hunting. Then came specialty slug shotguns that permitted the installation of a scope and offered increased accuracy with rifled barrels. The big-game hunting world has never been the same.
Most improvements in slug shotguns also provide improved down-range accuracy. Couple these better designed shotguns with an enhanced recoil pad, improved trigger, camouflaged and/or synthetic stocks, sling swivels, and the ability to add a scope and other accessories to rails, and you have your customers’ undivided attention. Note also that you should think beyond deer hunters, because slug shotguns are also popular for bear and wild boar hunting.
“One of my favorite guns for a spring bear hunt is a 20-gauge slug gun,” states Linda Powell, a hunter with lots of global-level hunting experience and the Director of Media Relations for O.F Mossberg & Sons. “A 20-gauge slug gun provides plenty of knockdown power and manageable recoil. A 12-gauge is a great option as well, especially when loaded with Hornady’s Reduced Recoil slugs.
“In most cases, particularly in the eastern U.S. and when hunting bears in wooded areas, slug guns, plus today’s improved slugs, offer yardages out to 100 yards or more,” continued Powell. Big slugs can also mean an easier chore when tracking game after a shot is taken.
Keep those pointers in mind when a customer arrives at your gun counter and asks about a slug shotgun. Be certain to discuss what game the customer will be hunting to better guide them through the many options.
The Slug Guns Customers Hunt For
Here are some slug shooting shotguns that will bring customers through your doors.
Browning Maxus 2 Rifled Deer
The Maxus II Rifled Deer is a 12-gauge autoloader with a precision-rifled barrel designed primarily for use with sabot-type slugs. This shotgun is chambered for 3-inch shotshells and utilizes the Power Drive Gas System as found in the popular Browning wingshooters’ shotguns, with the benefits of reduced recoil, extreme reliability and blazing-fast follow-up-shot capabilities. The cantilever rail with Weaver-style slots atop the action makes optics mounting easy, and it holds zero for any installed scope when the barrel is removed for cleaning. Top features include a 22-inch, thick-walled rifled slug barrel, tubular magazine, gold-plated trigger, and composite stock with vertical grip and over-molded gripping surfaces. Its stock is shim-adjustable for length of pull and cast. The Maxus II Rifled Deer shotgun weighs slightly more than 7 pounds and arrives with a choke-tube wrench. This slug gun is available in two camouflage patterns: Mossy Oak Bottomland and Ovix. MSRP is $1,949.99, and full details are at www.browning.com.
Legacy Sports International Citadel BOSSHOG 2
The Citadel BOSSHOG 2 semi-auto 12-gauge provides a tough black synthetic stock with pistol grip and synthetic forend along with a 4+1 shotshell capacity. The pistol grip and forend have enhanced finger groove slots to aid with control and accuracy. This shotgun has a raised tactical blade front sight and ghost ring rear sight, installed Picatinny rail scope base atop the receiver and a smaller accessory rail on the forend, and ventilated butt pad to reduce felt recoil. Three choke tubes are included. The shotgun utilizes a chrome-lined barrel and is 40.5 inches long overall. A similar 12-gauge (Version 1) available through Legacy Sports International does not have the pistol grip or rails. MSRP is $380. Details are at www.legacysports.com.
Mossberg 500 Combo Field / Deer Shotgun
Customers will like that there are five versions of this slug shotgun gun readily available, and all include two barrels in the box: a field barrel and a rifled slug barrel. The lead model in the 500 Combo Field/Deer shotgun is the 20-gauge pump-action offered with 24- and 26-inch blued barrels paired with wood stock and forend. The two barrels with this 500 Field/Deer Slug Gun include a field barrel with full-length rib on the barrel and brass bead sight at the tip, and a slug barrel with rear and front post sights installed. Users can enjoy a 5+1 shotshell capacity and sling attachment posts. MSRP is $588.
Among the other options in this versatile Mossberg Model 500 Combo Field/Deer Slug Gun are the 12-gauge model, much like the above noted 20-gauge model, plus several models with synthetic stocks that have an adjustable comb, cantilever for scope installation and the popular two-barrel sets. For customers wanting camouflage, the 500 Combo Field/Deer shotgun is also offered with Mossy Oak Break-Up camouflage. It’s available in 12- and 20-gauge versions with two barrels and has a MSRP of $668. Additional details on these many models can be found at www.mossberg.com.
Remington 870 SPS SuperSlug
This slide-action 12-gauge slug gun by Remington Arms is mostly wrapped in Kryptek Obskura Transitional camouflage and features five longitudinal flutes on the exterior of the extra-heavy barrel. Those distinct flutes help minimize weight and heat buildup while enhancing barrel rigidity. Inside the barrel are six Parabolic Ultragon rifling grooves with a 1:35-inch twist to optimize the slug’s flight. Another feature to aid with accuracy is the ambidextrous ShurShot pistol-grip and synthetic stock, which includes rubberized overmolding on the pistol grip and an extended forend to provide a more secure hold in adverse conditions. Other features include a SuperCell recoil pad, a drilled and tapped receiver along with a Weaver rail, and built-in sling swivel studs. The Remington 870 SPS SuperSlug has a 25 1/2-inch extra-heavy barrel that is pinned to the receiver for the utmost in shot-to-shot stability. This 7 7/8-pound slug gun accepts 2 3/4- and 3-inch 12-gauge slugs (four slug capacity) and has a 3-pound competition-style spring in the trigger assembly. Details are at www.remarms.com and the MSRP is $850.
Savage Model 212/220 Slug
This 20-gauge bolt-action shotgun has a subdued black finish overall and includes the user-adjustable AccuTrigger system to make it more user friendly. To aid with accuracy, the shotgun uses a 22-inch heavy barrel that is button-rifled. It offers an oversized bolt handle and a tough synthetic stock for hunting with gloved hands and in inclement weather conditions. The receiver is drilled and tapped with a one-piece rail for scope mounting, and the AccuStock with AccuFit shim adjustment technology for the forend and stock improves grip, length-of-pull and drop for a more comfortable fit. This slug gun is designed for 2¾- and 3-inch shotshells and has a two-shotshell capacity via a detachable magazine. The Model 212/220 is also offered in a lefthand model, as a 12-gauge, and three models are cloaked in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camouflage. MSPR begins at $719, and details are at www.savagearms.com.
Winchester Repeating Arms SX4 Cantilever Buck
This unique semi-auto 12-gauge shotgun offers a synthetic stock with improved ergonomics of a more comfortable rounder grip and textured gripping surfaces to give your cutomer’s hands a sure and non-slip grip. Added to those features is the non-glare matte black finish that won’t reveal a hunter to a big buck — or other big game animal. Additional features include a rifled 22-inch barrel optimized for accuracy when used with 2 3/4- or 3-inch sabots and slugs, Weaver®-style cantilever rail for scope mounting, Truglo® fiber-optic front sight with an adjustable rear sight, ambidextrous cross-bolt safety that is reversible, and included length-of-pull spacers to make stock adjustments and achieve a perfect fit to the shooter’s body dimensions. The lightweight aluminum alloy receiver and bolt have a matte black finish also. The advanced Inflex Technology recoil pad directs felt recoil down and away from the shooter’s cheek. This slug gun weighs 7 pounds, 8 ounces and is offered in a similar 20-gauge version. MSRP of the 12-gauge is $1,109.99, and details are at www.winchesterguns.com.
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (SB3)
While Benelli has discontinued the Super Black Eagle Rifled Slug Shotgun package, several models of the popular shotgun can be stocked, including the camouflaged turkey model complete with a pistol-gripped stock, and then offer your customers the rifled 12-gauge slug barrel as an accessory (still offered by Benelli). The many models of the SB3 shotgun features include: a 3 1/2-inch chamber; choices of matte black, Optifade or Mossy Oak camouflage patterns on the stock, forend and barrels; CombTech and ComfortTech 3 advanced recoil system in the stock: and inertia-driven operating system for smooth and reliable cycling. Most SB3 shotgun models also include an oversized bolt handle and safety for easy use by gloved hands. MSRP on the shotgun begins at $2,199, and the 12-gauge 24-inch rifled slug barrels begin at $629. Full details are at www.benelliusa.com.
SHOTSHELLS
Along with advances in slug shooting shotguns are numerous slug shotshells that help deliver the needed knock-down energy and accuracy downrange. Some are capable of toppling elk at 200 yards, and various versions, gauges and velocities will help your customers make key decisions to match their hunting needs and the game being pursued.
Federal TruBall 12-gauge Rifled Slugs
Federal’s TruBall Rifled Slug 12-gauge is a 2 3/4-inch shotshell providing a 1-ounce hollow-point slug that is capable of groups as tight as 1.4 inches at 50 yards. The TruBall system incorporates a plastic ball between the wad and slug and promotes clean separation of the components after exiting the muzzle to ensure the best accuracy and increased downrange energy. Muzzle velocity for these low-recoil shotshells is 1,300 fps for the 438-grain slug. Retail price is $8.99/box of five shotshells. A Deep Penetrator 12-gauge rifled slug providing 1,350 fps velocity and several similar 20-gauge shotshells are also available. More details are at www.federalpremium.com
Hornady’s 12-Gauge American Whitetail 325-Grain Sabot Slugs
These 325-grain InterLock hollow-point slugs provide premium downrange impact and are lethal out to 200 yards. The slug’s serrated edge initiates rapid expansion upon impact, and the rigid polycarbonate sabot ensures accuracy. The sabot leaves the barrel at 1,825 fps, and at 200 yards, it still delivers more than 1,000 pounds of impact energy. Hornady offers eight versions of the American Whitetail slug to include several 20-gauge shotshells and a low-recoil slug load. A rifled slug for 12-gauge smooth-bore shotguns is also offered. MSRP is $18.50 for five rounds of the 12-gauge American Hunter 325-grain sabot slugs. Full details are at www.hornady.com.
Remington AccuTip 12-Gauge Sabot Slugs
Remington’s new Power Port Tip is incorporated into the company’s AccuTip Sabot Slugs and delivers advanced aerodynamics. The company says this ammo will consistently print tiny 100-yard groups and transfer tremendous knockdown force to the pursued game. These flat-shooting .45-caliber slugs (in the 20-gauge sabot slugs) and .58-caliber slugs (12-gauge shotshells) produce gaping wound channels, and at distances from 5 yards out to 200 yards, they will yield perfect mushrooms while retaining more than 95% of the sabot’s original weight. This slug is designed for rifled barrels only and is jacketed with high-strength cartridge brass. Four versions are available with sabot weights in 260 grains (20-gauge) and 385 grains (12-gauge versions). MSRP begins at $25.99 for five sabot slugs, and full details are at www.remington.com.
Winchester 12-Gauge BRI Rifled Slug
These Super-X 3-inch rifled slugs zip along at 1,400 fps from the muzzle. The 1-ounce hollow-point slug is encased in a two-piece sabot to improve accuracy. The slugs are designed for use in both shotguns with rifled choke tubes or shotguns with fully rifled barrels. At 100 yards downrange, the slugs are moving at 1,007 fps and will deliver a 1,012 ft./lbs. energy impact. A similar 20-gauge sabot slug and several rifled slug versions are also available. MSRP is $16.99 for five slugs, and full details can be obtained at www.winchester.com.
Scope Up and Look Out
Along with advances in shotgun designs and more models that are optics-ready from the factory are shotgun scopes to pair with the shotguns. These models could serve your customers’ needs:
GPO Spectra 6X 1-6x24i: This 1-6X power scope offers iCONTROL microdot illumination built onto the standard G4 reticle. It is equipped with DoubleHD objective lens technology, PASSIONtrac turrets, and a G4i reticle. The advanced turrets provide a 0.36-inch adjustment at 100 yards (or 0.1 mrad), granting an impressive 144 inches of adjustment range. The scope is 11 inches long and utilizes 30mm tubes. Custom turrets are also available. It’s covered by GPO’s Spectacular Lifetime Warranty. MSRP is $899, and full details are at www.gpo-usa.com.
Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-6x20mm Pig Plex: This scope is 100% fog- and waterproof, utilizes a rear (second) focal plane and has a unique Pig Plex reticle designed with hog hunters in mind. The thicker side and lower post in the reticle are matched with a ring at the crosshairs and quick-aim adjustment bars below and beside the circle. The scope is 9.35 inches long and weighs 9.6 ounces. MSRP is $299, and details are at www.leupold.com.
Sightmark’s 1-6x24mm CRI Presidio Scope: This scope utilizes fully multi-coated optics and etched glass and a red illuminated reticle. The 30mm scope tube is matte black finished and crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. The 10.48ths-inch-long scope uses common CR2032 batteries to provide 150+ hours of life, is IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and is shockproof for drops up to 3 feet. This scope has an MSRP of $299, and additional details are at www.sightmark.com.
