Shotgun Newb...

[speeedracerr]

Im very new to shotguns and wondered if rifled slugs were ok to shoot out of a smooth bore shotgun like the NEF Pardner?

Im not sure if having a rifled barrel is required to shoot rifled slugs or any kind of slugs for that matter.

Thanks for the help

[noob_tube]

Rifled slugs are for smoothbore shotguns. Sabot slugs are for rifled shotgun barrels.

[speeedracerr]

Rifled slugs are for smoothbore shotguns. Sabot slugs are for rifled shotgun barrels.

Thanks for the information... I think I may have bought 1 box of Sabot slugs inadvertently... Will shooting that in a smooth bore barrel mess my shotgun up?

[bjl333]

It won't mess your shotgun up. You won't get good accuracy with them though.

[speeedracerr]

It won't mess your shotgun up. You won't get good accuracy with them though.

ahhh.... Ok, good information to know. Thanks for the help, I am planning to get some more slugs at the upcoming gun show in Ontario

[bjl333]

ahhh.... Ok, good information to know. Thanks for the help, I am planning to get some more slugs at the upcoming gun show in Ontario

Come out to the clinic. You'll learn a lot more about shotgun shooting. Check out the link in my sigline.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Ummm...not all the info here is 100%.

What you can shoot out of your shotgun depends on the shotshell.

I shoot Lyman 525-grain sabot slugs out of my smoothbore Remmy 870P, as well as from my FN SLP. But then again, there are shotshell sabot slugs (like the Hornady SST) that state on their box, "To be shot from rifled barrels".

There have been shooters who checked the above statements out, and found that this was due to accuracy. You could still shoot the EXPENSIVE. Hornady SST's from a smoothbore...but you would not get it's full value pinpoint accuracy. And why pay the big bucks for that?

There are also slugs that work better in rifled barrels, which can also be shot through smoothbores.

Usually, when you see diagonal grooves in a slug, it is for the purpose of getting "swaged' when it exits from a smaller barrel choke. It ensures the lead will be shaved off, instead of too much pressure being placed on the choke, and ruining it.

Just food for thought.

In Christ: Raymond

[speeedracerr]

Im wondering... Is a smooth bore barrel more universal than the rifled barrel??? I mean, what can be shot from a rifled barrel shotgun can be shot from a smooth barrel shotgun and not viceversa?

[bjl333]

Yes, A smooth bore barrel is more universal. The rifled barrel/sabot combo came because some states do not allow rifles for hunting. They only allow shotguns for hunting, even for deer and pigs. The new sabots are designed to act more like a traditional rifle bullet then a slug.

On a regular slug the rifling is build into the slug itself. This will give it the spinning effect needed to stablize the bullet/slug. The Sabot does not have rifling build in. If you shoot it out of a non-rifled barrel, it'll just be sort of a sling shot effect. The bullet will just be thrown out there and probably be tumbling instead of spinning like a bullet should.

Just for clarification:
A Sabot is a big cup holding a smaller bullet inside and the cup is the size of your shotgun barrel. So think of putting a rifle bullet inside and throwing it. It will not staplize!!
A regular slug is the size of your barrel. The slug's build in rifling will cause it to spin and go downrange like a regular bullet would.

[tacticalcity]

One issue with slugs is that if your shotgun as a screw in choke of any kind you will want to remove it first. Otherwise you might end up sending your choke flying down range right along with your slug. Don't ask me how I know. ;-)

[bjl333]

One issue with slugs is that if your shotgun as a screw in choke of any kind you will want to remove it first. Otherwise you might end up sending your choke flying down range right along with your slug. Don't ask me how I know. ;-)

You need to put in a cylinder choke to protect the threads on the end of the barrel.

[Thefeeder]

><

You need to put in a cylinder choke to protect the threads on the end of the barrel.

+1 Yep! I garr-own-tee...

[speeedracerr]

You need to put in a cylinder choke to protect the threads on the end of the barrel.

I don't believe I have a choke since my NEF Pardner is just a Home Defense type shotgun.

[BigDogatPlay]

You need to put in a cylinder choke to protect the threads on the end of the barrel.

+2. A barrel threaded for choke tubes should never be shot without a tube installed. Period.

And, generally, a cylinder, skeet, or improved cylinder choke tube will give the best results with the least amount of wear and tear shooting rifled slugs. Choke tubes set anything higher than modified really should not be used to shoot slugs. There have been members here who have posted photos of their damaged barrel from running slugs through a tight choke tube.

I don't believe I have a choke since my NEF Pardner is just a Home Defense type shotgun.

If it's a defensive length barrel, it's likely a cylinder or improved cylinder choke. It should be stamped on the barrel exactly what the choke is. Check that and stay safe.

[TheKlawMan]

I don't believe I have a choke since my NEF Pardner is just a Home Defense type shotgun.

Are you sure that you don't have a choke? While most HD shotguns have a cyllinder bore, a few have screw in chokes. For example the Stevens 357 has one. I am not sure, but believe that the Pardner short barrel sold by Big 5 that I looked at had one. It is easy to check.

After checking that your chamber and magazine are bothe empty, just look at the end of the muzzle. If it has a choke tube screwed in you will see some slots to fit a tool or a quarter into should you need to remove or tighten the choke, if it has one. It may say something about this in your owners manual, but the manual may not say if yours has a choke.