Range safe slugs?

[drinktothat421]

Heading to the range next week and was hoping to fly some slugs down range. And was wondering what ones we range safe. No magnetic? Or is that not a thing with slugs. I usually just shoot bird shot for trap out of my O/U. But i just got a 870 pump and want to have some fun with it.

[bigbearbear]

Different range, different rules. Which range are you planning to shoot at?

[Merc1138]

Heading to the range next week and was hoping to fly some slugs down range. And was wondering what ones we range safe. No magnetic? Or is that not a thing with slugs. I usually just shoot bird shot for trap out of my O/U. But i just got a 870 pump and want to have some fun with it.

Call the range and ask. Some have restrictions, some don't.

[grantar2]

At On-Target when I purchased some slugs to test my new shotgun with they sold me Winchester Law Enforcement Ammunition - Ranger, low recoil rifled slug. 12 gauge 2 3/4 inch 1200 velocity 1oz.

A little pricy at $8, but they did the job I wanted them to do, in testing out the shotgun. With as conservative as On-Target is, would guess you might find those ok elsewhere as well.

[drinktothat421]

It would be an outside range like oak tree and west thompsons. I just know ranges do not like the sparking fire hassard of steel core.

[bigbearbear]

It would be an outside range like oak tree and west thompsons. I just know ranges do not like the sparking fire hassard of steel core.

Here's the good news: Most shotgun slugs you buy aren't steel, they are lead or copper plated lead slugs. There are exceptions, such as the deadly Hexolit32 from DDuplexs. They are not common and most places do not stock them.

Here's the bad news: Many ranges do not allow the use of shotgun slugs. The 2 ranges you mentioned do not seems to allow these, you should call them and ask. From their web site, it looks like Oak Tree allows shotguns for Trap, Skeet, 5-stand and Sporting Clay, but those are birdshots only. Wes Thompson doesn't list a shotgun range on their site so chances are that you cannot use it at all.

I'm in Northern California (SF Bay Area) so I'm not familiar with Southern California ranges, try asking in the General sub-forum about ranges in your area that will allow the use of shotgun slugs.

[SDM44]

Like others said, call the range and ask them. Also, if they say no to your slugs, ask if they have any there that they approve the use of and if you can buy some to use.

Running certain brand slugs sold at a range may be pointless since you ultimately want to test and zero your shotgun with slugs of your choice, since POI will be different with different brands. But if you just want to break the shotgun in and try it out, then you'll be fine.

I know that LA Gun Club indoor range lets you shoot slugs, but you had to buy their Wolf rifled slugs for around $5-$6 per box of 5, and use that only (they wouldn't allow any other type of shot shells). Of course this was about 2 years ago when I last did that there, so not sure if anything has changed. I recently had no problems shooting low recoil Remington 1 oz slugs at Burro in their private range.

[hardlyworking]

Here's the bad news: Many ranges do not allow the use of shotgun slugs. The 2 ranges you mentioned do not seems to allow these, you should call them and ask. From their web site, it looks like Oak Tree allows shotguns for Trap, Skeet, 5-stand and Sporting Clay, but those are birdshots only. Wes Thompson doesn't list a shotgun range on their site so chances are that you cannot use it at all.

I was at Wes Thompsons about 6 months ago with the VersaMax and 3-4 varieties of Slugs. Owner set me up at the far left of the rifle range where he's got some shorter range papers/berm. Then he got me a little metal baffle/grate thing so I wouldn't launch hulls all over the guys doing prone practice next to me.

[bigbearbear]

I was at Wes Thompsons about 6 months ago with the VersaMax and 3-4 varieties of Slugs. Owner set me up at the far left of the rifle range where he's got some shorter range papers/berm. Then he got me a little metal baffle/grate thing so I wouldn't launch hulls all over the guys doing prone practice next to me.

That's nice to know, it is good to see range owners willing to make provisions for shooters.

[drinktothat421]

Thanks for the heads up. I only have been to wes T range a few times and figured is anyone wouldnt mind it might be him. Honestly i just want to try and hit steel at the 100 yard. Once im out of my 556 ammo.