Shotgun Only Deer Hunt: Rifled Barrel for Copper Slugs? Smoothbore Ammo Options?

[CSACANNONEER]

Never share hunting spots especially in Ca. Next year every Tom. Dickless and hairy will be there. Have to be earned by finding yourself and spending time in the field.

I'll share my old hunting spot where I use to fill two tags per year on public land. Ready for this, my secret hunting spot is the Los Padres National Forest. The exact few acres is going with myself and my father (who I took there once) to our graves but, for anyone who needs to know my secret spot, it the LPNF.

[edgerly779]

^^^ Good for you Greg .Keep the faith.

[yoteassasin]

[bigbossman]

Yeah. I gave up the spot (and my slug gun with a ammo can full of ammo) to my CA duck hunting buddy that had shared his duck spot and boat with me.

OK, OK....... I'll tell you. Area 51 is where they're at.

[JagerDog]

My buddy got a deer at Gray Lodge. He stated he got "pretty good" accuracy with a rifled tube.

But I know the fully rifled slug guns (like the savage bolt) get excellent accuracy.

[Irishfisher]

Never share hunting spots especially in Ca. Next year every Tom. Dickless and hairy will be there. Have to be earned by finding yourself and spending time in the field.

I couldn't disagree more. Knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted. Pass it on and leave a hunting legacy. Hunting is a dying tradition and we are killing it off oursevles . Without passing on your knowledge and yes, even a honey hole or two, how do you think we are going to build back up the numbers of hunters? Pretty soon, our numbers will be so small, the majority will ban hunting without a second thought.

From time to time, I "guide" military personnel stationed nearby. Last two Air Force Majors got their pigs. We will see how the Army does in October.

Whenever I bump into a new hunter in the field, I do what I can to steer them in the right direction. It can be as simple as showing them how to interpret sign or which general areas to hunt. If I get to know them a little better and trust their judgment, I gradually transition from general to specific information. It is pretty satisfying to help someone build their skills to the point that they succeed on their own.

Interesting thing is, instead of ruining my honey holes, these hunters now share intel with me on where the pigs are feeding, bedding, watering, etc. If I don't hunt for a month (doesn't ever happen) all I have to do it text a couple of the guys I helped in the past and I get fresh reports. You know what they say...."What goes around comes around."

Just to clarify.....I would never post a honey hole on the internet because you might show up there.

[yoteassasin]

I couldn't disagree more. Knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted. Pass it on and leave a hunting legacy. Hunting is a dying tradition and we are killing it off oursevles . Without passing on your knowledge and yes, even a honey hole or two, how do you think we are going to build back up the numbers of hunters? Pretty soon, our numbers will be so small, the majority will ban hunting without a second thought.

From time to time, I "guide" military personnel stationed nearby. Last two Air Force Majors got their pigs. We will see how the Army does in October.

Whenever I bump into a new hunter in the field, I do what I can to steer them in the right direction. It can be as simple as showing them how to interpret sign or which general areas to hunt. If I get to know them a little better and trust their judgment, I gradually transition from general to specific information. It is pretty satisfying to help someone build their skills to the point that they succeed on their own.

Interesting thing is, instead of ruining my honey holes, these hunters now share intel with me on where the pigs are feeding, bedding, watering, etc. If I don't hunt for a month (doesn't ever happen) all I have to do it text a couple of the guys I helped in the past and I get fresh reports. You know what they say...."What goes around comes around."

Just to clarify.....I would never post a honey hole on the internet because you might show up there.

[deckhandmike]

[Odd_Ball]

Shortest Acceptable Rem 870 Rifled Barrel Length for Deer Hunting?

Thank you for all the feedback! It confirms what I was hoping wasn't the case, especially with non lead ammo. Not worth futzing around with "pretty good" accuracy out in the field, so I've been looking at Rem 870 cantilevered rifled barrels online, which seem to bearound $300 to $400 on eBay.

The Savage 212 is very tempting as well, so I'm looking around for that but unless I find a good deal on a used one with a scope, I think getting a new barrel for the 870 would be the cheaper route.

Not sure what my buddy will do with his a300 Outlander ... he may just need to take only closer in shots.

Rem 870 rifled barrel length - Is 20" too short? Is 23" better?

I am seeing some decent looking and priced rifled 870 barrels on eBay as short as 20". There is also a 23" 870 rifled cantelevered barrel that I am looking at. It is $430 with shipping, but not including sales tax, so closer to $470 in total.

So, is a 20" rifled barrel too short by any chance? The 23" seems more appropriate, but availability and price are a factor. Does the 20" give up potential range? Fwiw, the Savage 212/220 has a 22" barrel.

[El Gato]

I gotnthe yuba city hunt a few years ago and spent hundreds of dollars trying to get something to shoot. I actually bought a rifled barrel for my 870. Problem was finding non-tox ammo in stock anywhere. I finally settled on a fiocchi (?) Load that would group inside 4 inches at 40 yds. That's the best I could do. Brenneke lead loads would stay inside 6 in out to 75yds with a smooth bore barrel, but not nontoxic. Check taufladermous (?) YouTube channel for some tests. Good luck. Closest o could get to a deer, any deer was 60 yds but didn't take a shot due to inaccuracy of the loads. Ammo is more available now so that should help. Also, I have a mossberg 870 rifles barrel if you are interested, feel free to pm me.

[NATEWA]

I’d recommend a rifled barrel with scope. I have one of those aluminum scope mounts that connects to the receiver. The new 870’s are drilled and will accommodate a rail up top. I have my 870 in a magpul stock with high cheek riser to line up with my scope. I have federal copper slugs but have not shot any through my rifled barrel so can’t tell you how they pattern.

I also have a Mossberg 500 in 20 gauge. It came with a rifled and smooth barrel and different cheek risers.

Good luck!

[bigbossman]

No worries...... ordinarily I'd send a PM and share since I'm not there anymore, but I have a couple of friends that I gave the info to and they are hunting that area. I'd hate to burn the spot for them, so I'm keeping quiet for now.

[Irishfisher]

Also, I have a mossberg 870 rifles barrel if you are interested, feel free to pm me.

OddBall, I think ElGato has your answer, if the price is right. I am running a Mossberg aftermarket rifled barrel on my 870. It works great. Another source is Gunbroker.com The prices there seem to be a bit better than ebay.

[Odd_Ball]

Closest o could get to a deer, any deer was 60 yds but didn't take a shot due to inaccuracy of the loads. Ammo is more available now so that should help. Also, I have a mossberg 870 rifles barrel if you are interested, feel free to pm me.

That's exactly what I want to avoid ... I really appreciate everyones feedback on this even if I can't thank you all specifically by name.

El Gato, pm sent about the Mossy 870 barrel.

[Odd_Ball]

As far as ammo goes, you are going to have a tough time finding it. Unless you are lucky enough to find some locally, your best best is to go through an FFL who can order it for you. I would recommend Federal Trophy Copper, as it is fast and accurate. Barnes Expander is about equal to the Federal Trophy Copper. There are a few more out there, but those two are the fastest and most accurate out of a rifled barrel.

Understood about difficulty in finding ammo, not much I can do about that except to keep looking ... its getting a little easier, but still not easy.

The Federal Trophy Copper has had a number of recommendations, will put that at top of the list.

So, it might actually make more sense to buy a dedicted rifled shotgun, like a Savage 212/220.

BassPro in San Jose happens to have a Savage 212 but its a turkey gun. Still I was able to check it out and get a feel for it. A little heavier than I expected and the magazine looked and felt pretty flimsy, but overall it looked promising. If I can find something reasonable I may try to get one.