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Am I allowed a "gun question"?

I'm stuck in a shotgun only area for deer. Even though I've switched over to a Hastings rifled barrel a couple years ago, I've always shot the heavier, 1 1/4 oz Active, Fiocchi and most recently Litefield sabot slugs. You know, the flat-fronted type sabot slugs. Out of my 870 slug gun the recoil is enough to turn you into a bed wetter after 20+ shots.

The issue is the recoil of those rounds, especially since I just changed to a new scope and had to shoot quite a bit to get it where I wanted it. Maybe it's my advancing age but 20+ shots off a bench and I know my shoulder will hurt tomorrow.

Here's the question.....do the newer style "spitzer" style sabot slugs produce a less punishing recoil? Or, is the lighter weight offset by their higher velocity and ending up with the same recoil anyways?

No gun questions... but on the other hand...I settled on one oz hollow points and 2 3/4 inch shells for my rifled barreled 870. Lighter bullets were matched with more powder and kicked like hell. Same with 3 inch shells. I get about 3 inches of drop at 100 yards. I laser bore sight will save you some punishment. Good luck,

J I can't specifically answer that question, but I can tell you I use a Remington 20 ga. Semi with a rifled slug barrel... not the knockdown of a 12ga. but accurate as heck! I can shoot all day and look ma, no ice pack!

Have the barrel pinned on the 870, pretty simple and the accuracy will improve a ton. You should be able to sight it in with just a few shots and it will hold zero. The problem with 90% of the slug guns out there is the barrel is not lugged to the action, having it pinned will improve accuracy a whole lot. I have had my barrels pinned on my 20 gauge 870 and also on my 11-87. Both used to shoot 5-6" groups at 100 yards with lightfields or winchester BRI slugs, now both will do 3"s or less and not need to be re-sighted in after 10 shots. Shawn

Thanks for the guidance...that helps.

I can relate to this as I own 2 870's. One smooth bore and one a rifled barrel. My first one is over 48 years old. Get a Lead Sled you will sight in quickly and with no discomfort.

I went from a slug gun to my muzzleloader during shotgun season. It kicks way less and is sometimes more accurate than a slug gun. My 2 cents.

I used to use an 870 for years. I also have a Hastings barrel and topped it with a Leupold 2-7 shotgun scope. I drilled and tapped it myself as the "saddle" mounts were too tall, I felt.

Yes, I believe that the newer sabot slugs will produce less recoil.

Also, when buying slugs, always check the ends/flaps of the boxes for the case lot number. I have had different lots of the same ammo shoot to very different points of impact!

I think that pinning the barrel to the magazine tube is a worthwhile idea. I never did it, but thought about it a bunch.

I think that using Remington Copper Solids, I could get 3" groups at 100 yards from a bench.

>>>>---good luck----->

Try the KO's they are deadly and don't beat you up

lead sled and limbsaver recoil pad are great investments IMO

Thanks for the great feedback. I tried a few of the Lightfield Lites and they were surprisingly easier to shoot and as accurate as the others if not a bit better. The barrel pinning is something I've heard about. There's a gunsmith about 30 minutes from here has been doing slug gun accurizing for quite a few years and as I recall, barrel pinning is a key part of it. Might consider it.

I agree with EJG. Lead sled is awesome. I'm shooting a TC Encore 21" full rifled barrel out of the TC custom shop. 3" chamber shooting Federal copper sabots Barnes expander bullets. If I hadn't used a led sled while sighting in I woulda had a dislocated shoulder. Once I found the load the gun liked thats all I shoot. The barrel has its own scope so its just a quick trip to the range each yr. to check zero on the gun. This gun is a tack driver. 1.5 in groups off the bench at 100yds. Funny thing too when firing at a deer I never feel the recoil nor hear the blast.

That's a funny thing about never feeling the recoil when shooting at game. Similarly, the report of the shot always sounds kinda muffled and far away. Even a single shot at the range without ear protection and your ears would ring for a long time and you'd be lucky to escape damage. Call it shooters paradox.....kinda like "archers paradox".

I use the MTM Shoulder Guard rest with lead shot in the compartment.http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/shooting-rests.html Much cheaper than the lead sled and works great.Got mine on sale from Midway.I've shot LOTS of heavy loads including 3 1/2" 4 buck to find the best choke/loads for coyotes and slugs for deer.Lived to tell the tale.

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