Henry Rifle Forums

At Parma Woods shooting range late this morning. Weather has pleasantly changed overnight here in KCMO: less humidity, and temps only in the upper 70s with a light breeze. Couldn't pass up this window from the recent extremely hot days.

Some brief details on my shooting. Target is a 6" splash. Ammo used was Herters 3/4oz. 2-3/4" Rifled Slugs (4 rounds) and Win Super-X 3/4oz. 2-3/4" Rifled Slugs (5 rounds). This was my first group of nine with 6/9 POIs in target. The ninth round is in the range berm somewhere --- don't know why, but I flinched on one shot. The group spread is approximately 4-1/4" CTC. I always like to look closely at my very first shot/shots, and to me this group is good stuff. Shot two other groups of 15 each, both at 50 yards. Got the typical result of wider group sizes, so didn't post those targets.

Next outing with PUMP, I'll probably head north to Poverty Knob and clang black steel with some slugs. Either way is a lot of fun time on the range!

Shooting those slugs has to be a big bore recoil junkie's dream. Man, that is a lot of lead. With that kind of shooting, I want you with me when hiking in griz country. Seriously, shooting slugs with those shotguns is a whole different game. Very impressive.

I bet you could clank a very big chunk of steel.

Thanks, NCG. But I'm not sure about being a "hiking partner in griz country" with a 20-gauge shotgun. It is a good caliber, and the slugs do have a strong punch. I think, however, I might prefer a 12-gauge with 1-oz. or little larger slugs for that hike!

Since you mentioned recoil, I don't even recall feeling it much at all when I was shooting.....maybe only at the first shot when it "reminded" me it was a shotgun. Otherwise, it is very easy to handle, and as I've said before, very much fun to shoot slugs. If I recall what you've previously said, you haven't shot these yet. It might be fun to at least try out a friend's 20-gauge. You might be surprised at the recoil it gives back.....not really a huge shoulder-shaking experience!

North Country Gal wrote:Shooting those slugs has to be a big bore recoil junkie's dream. Man, that is a lot of lead. With that kind of shooting, I want you with me when hiking in griz country. Seriously, shooting slugs with those shotguns is a whole different game. Very impressive.

Great shooting, PT7. I love using 1oz slugs in a 12 bore too. What ever you hit stays well and truly hit, but the 36gm loads will always let you know that it isn't a 22lr that you're firing.

just curious .... based on your experience, what is the longest range you'd be comfortable deer hunting with slugs in your 20 ga ???

just curious .... based on your experience, what is the longest range you'd be comfortable deer hunting with slugs in your 20 ga ???

I've not yet hunted with my 20-gauge PUMP, but did with my 12-gauge shotgun. I regularly practice shot for two years with the 12-gauge (named it BOOM), and was comfortable with good accuracy up to max of 75 or so yards. And I know the slugs would have easily harvested a deer.

I'm really just learning this 20-gauge (named it PUMP), but I'm thinking to work toward a goal of around 50 yards for a deer-hunting distance. But so far, I only feel really competent and comfortable at about a 30-35 yards maximum. Like the 12-gauge, I think the 20-gauge slugs will easily take a deer. So I should improve with more and more practice. Already chatted with my son-in-law, and have the invite to deer hunt (doe season) with him this coming December. Shall see how it goes. For now, it's slugs away!

JEBar wrote:just curious .... based on your experience, what is the longest range you'd be comfortable deer hunting with slugs in your 20 ga ???

Lots of deer have been taken with slugs, even 20s. Don't forget that some eastern states have been or were shotgun only for deer hunting.

All this talk of slug shooting reminds me that some of you folks have shot slugs in your 410 lever guns. As a Contender shooter, been tempted to add a 45 Colt/410 barrel to the collection, but those are pretty worthless for 45 Colt shooting for lack of accuracy and I really don't have much use for the 410 shot loads. Shooting 410 slugs in a Contender pistol, though, might be fun.

I have a Winchester 9410 and have lots of slugs but have never shot them. Might be worth a trip to the range.