shotguns for deer

[Scoony]

When hunting a shotgun only area (Fort Knox) I use a 12 ga. with rifled choke tube. It shoots accurate out to 100 yards and will put a sabot slug completely through the chest cavity of deer. What I have been wondering about is the effectiveness of a 20 ga. with sabot slugs? Will it take a deer cleanly at 100 yards or will I have to reduce max range? Would like to hear from hunters with experience with 20 ga. shotguns for deer.

Thinking about getting a rifled barrel for my Rem 20 ga. and would like to know if I can expect the same results on deer.

[Hoosier5]

I don't see any reason why a sabot slug load in 20 gauge would not work for Deer sized game. I own a Browning Gold Deer Hunter in 20 gauge and use Lightfield Hybrid sabots, which seems to be the most accurate in my shotgun. I also had good accuracy using Winchester Gold 260 grain Partision Bullet in a sabot, but the Lightfields seem the most consistant. I am ot quite sure if the Winchester Gold ammo would expand enough on a deer, but perhaps someone else here can answer this. With the 20 gauge I've read in other forums that they took Deer at slightly over 100 yards, but I opt for a close shot more like 75 yards or under to be safe. I have a Weaver 2.5 Power scope on my gun.

[Multidigits]

IMO- the 20 ga. is too light for big deer. I've seen too many that only have one hole in them from the 20. There is no advantage to using it, other than lighter recoil, which is the only reason I'd consider it (for a youth or women hunter). If you use it, shorten your max shot range and shoot for the lungs.

[Hoosier5]

IMO- the 20 ga. is too light for big deer. I've seen too many that only have one hole in them from the 20. There is no advantage to using it, other than lighter recoil, which is the only reason I'd consider it (for a youth or women hunter). If you use it, shorten your max shot range and shoot for the lungs.

Hi Tom,

I really think you're wrong on this topic. With the new sabot loaded ammo for the 20 gauge; I think it ranks right up with a .44 Magnum, if used within its range. I STRONGLY AGREE with you on limiting the range to under 75 yards and good bullet placement. Personally I would limit the shots to 50 yards. What is really inhumane is for States to allow the useless .410 slug for deer.

[Valley Station]

20 gauge trajectory is about the same as 12 gauge, sighted in at 50 yards, good to about 125 steps.
However, 7/8 oz 20 ga has abot 75% ft/lbs of energy as does 1 1/4 oz 12 ga slug.
Accuracy and shot placement, with good sights or scoping, should be the key emphasis for deer hunting with shotgun slugs.

[Multidigits]

Hi Tom,

I really think you're wrong on this topic. With the new sabot loaded ammo for the 20 gauge; I think it ranks right up with a .44 Magnum, if used within its range. I STRONGLY AGREE with you on limiting the range to under 75 yards and good bullet placement. Personally I would limit the shots to 50 yards. What is really inhumane is for States to allow the useless .410 slug for deer.

Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong, but I won't be caught hunting with a 20 ga. slug. That is, unless I'm with a youth and then I'd opt for a ML instead. I raised two teens and both ended up switching from slugs to ML because of near lost deer. My asst. area guide at know used one for years without a problem, and then one day large one steps out. It was pure luck that we found that deer. It had one hole and the slug lodged in the aft shoulder, hitting only one rib in the process. The deer died, but travel a half a mile before doing so. As for sabots, some are great. I use them myself (copper solids or Horn 2k) but some aren't so great. Winchester uses too soft lead, and the slug flattens to the size of a half dollar. It won't penatrate far, and won't have good results on big body deer. The deer I shot last year in Illinois was field dressed at 248 lbs. I'd be willing to bet the house that a 20 gauge wouldn't have exited that deer from any angle. The 12 with copper solids did twice, one was clean through both lungs, and the other entered the left side of the butt, traveled through the spine, then went through the boiler room and out the front. The sligs with the pistol bulltes in them are fine for small to medium size deer. Large deer need large heavy duty slugs. Remington makes two and both are good choices. One is the Buckhammer and the other is the Copper Solid. Both will do fine.

[Scoony]

Thanks for the info, I will just stick with the 12 ga. The only sabots it shoots well are the Winchester BRIs. It will group within 3 inches at 100 yards. All others I have tried were all over the target. It was kind of expensive to figure out that one.
I have been thinking about a ML and may get one as soon as I get back to the states.

[Multidigits]

Thanks for the info, I will just stick with the 12 ga. The only sabots it shoots well are the Winchester BRIs. It will group within 3 inches at 100 yards. All others I have tried were all over the target. It was kind of expensive to figure out that one.
I have been thinking about a ML and may get one as soon as I get back to the states.

Try 5 of the Rem. Buckhammers and see how they shoot. Normally they are very accurate.

[Hoosier5]

Remington makes two and both are good choices. One is the Buckhammer and the other is the Copper Solid. Both will do fine.

Tom,

I saw boxes of Remington "Buckhammer" 20 gauge ammo in Rural King, the other day. Are you saying these might be a little better? I am currently using Lightfield Hybrids in my Browning 20 gauge. I think I read where the Remmington Buckhammer slugs use a full 1 oz. slug. Can these be used in a rifled barrel? <THANKS FOR THE INFO.> :)

[Multidigits]

Buckhammer construction is similar to Lightfield. I don't guarantee them to be better, but do know for a fact that they work great in a 12 gauge version. Very hard hitting and shoot extremely well. I'd recommend trying them, as they are cheaper than some sabots. Yes they are for rifled barrels or rifled chokes.

[whitleycotrapper]

Definately dont use a .410 indiana went to that a couple years ago and i thought i would try it out. I went out with an old single shot and sat right on a wel used deer trail on my parents place. i limited myself to a 20 yard shot or less and finally got a shot at a big doe at about 12 yards. I shot her right behind the shoulder and to my surprise she just jumped and kicked around and swung her head to her side. the slug i used was a 3inch "pumpkinball" slug and it hit a rib and really didnt do anything at all. I reloaded real quick and shot her again and hit her in the spine. she didnt even go down right away then, she ran off about 40 yards and i took another shot at her and hit her in the shoulder, which slowed her down wnough for me to chase her until she got caught in a brush pile, a head shot finished her off. never ever do that again
as far as 12 and 20 gauge goes, ive killed a lot of deer with both out to 100 yards or a shade over. my favorite 20 is a single shot with a fully rifled barrel and a 3x 9x 40 on it. good light little gun, great to stalk with on those rainy days

[Hoosier5]

Buckhammer construction is similar to Lightfield. I don't guarantee them to be better, but do know for a fact that they work great in a 12 gauge version. Very hard hitting and shoot extremely well. I'd recommend trying them, as they are cheaper than some sabots. Yes they are for rifled barrels or rifled chokes.

Thanks for your advice, Tom!

[Hoosier5]

Definately dont use a .410 indiana went to that a couple years ago and i thought i would try it out. I went out with an old single shot and sat right on a wel used deer trail on my parents place. i limited myself to a 20 yard shot or less and finally got a shot at a big doe at about 12 yards. I shot her right behind the shoulder and to my surprise she just jumped and kicked around and swung her head to her side. the slug i used was a 3inch "pumpkinball" slug and it hit a rib and really didnt do anything at all. I reloaded real quick and shot her again and hit her in the spine. she didnt even go down right away then, she ran off about 40 yards and i took another shot at her and hit her in the shoulder, which slowed her down wnough for me to chase her until she got caught in a brush pile, a head shot finished her off. never ever do that again
as far as 12 and 20 gauge goes, ive killed a lot of deer with both out to 100 yards or a shade over. my favorite 20 is a single shot with a fully rifled barrel and a 3x 9x 40 on it. good light little gun, great to stalk with on those rainy days

The IDNR does a lot of stupid things in Indiana! I'd like to know what they were thinking when they legelized the useless .410 sug for Deer. I once shot a groundhog @ 25 yards with a singleshot .410 shotgun and hit the woodchuck square in the center. He rolled around a bit flipping his tail then got up and ran into his hole, which was 15 yards away. He left very little blood, and I know I hit him solid! The .410 is great for Squirrels or Rabbits at close range but NOT for Deer sized game.

[Scoony]

Never tried the Rem Buckhammers, but will give them a try. I tried Rem coppers before, and they will not group at all with my shotgun. .

[lymanl3]

I used a single shot 20 gauge growing up and took many deer with it. When "beefed" up, I graduated to the 12 gauge. I only used the 20 becuase it suited me better at that age. I have taken 200lb field dressed deer with the 20 gauge (X<50yds), but wouldnt use it today. I use the ML (240grn sabot/95 FFFG)or the 480 ruger. One would argue that I shouldnt use the sixgun as well, but a 410grn hard cast lead bullet with 21+grns of H110 will definitly bring a thump!

Lyman

[KYBOY]

i know this is a little of topic but i killed a nice little buck 123 yards with my browning slug gun. complete pass thru with amazing interior damage. this was with 3 inch federal premium sabots. the gun will print about 2 to 2 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards with about any good slug.

[ducknbuckhunter]

every deer i have taken has been with a shot gun, my first a 20 gauge, i dont think you could pattern a 20 at 100 yards, i have done it at 50 but is was pushing it