Best Shotgun And Load for Deer...Help

Fisherdaddy · 06-30-2008, 12:35 PM

My wife drew a tag for the Umatilla NWR. It is a shotgun/muzzeloader only hunt. What type of shotgun and loads are best for deer? Slugs, Buckshot etc??? You opinions will be appreciated.

BrianMaguire · 06-30-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fisherdaddy

My wife drew a tag for the Umatilla NWR. It is a shotgun/muzzeloader only hunt. What type of shotgun and loads are best for deer? Slugs, Buckshot etc??? You opinions will be appreciated.

I guess it depends on range, but I would opt for a rifled slug, unless you already own a muzzleloader. The slug will be the cheapest and is arguably the most effective. Be careful where you shoot the deer with it if you want to actually eat the meat and not create a massive mound of hamburger.

Jakiedog · 06-30-2008, 01:14 PM

I have a Browning BPS with rifle sights (turkey model), with a 6" rifled slug choke that will shoot 4" groups at 100 yards with sabots. It's a 2 3/4 inch. It does very well on deer!

loper · 06-30-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fisherdaddy

My wife drew a tag for the Umatilla NWR. It is a shotgun/muzzeloader only hunt. What type of shotgun and loads are best for deer? Slugs, Buckshot etc??? You opinions will be appreciated.

Congratulations to her; I'm still trying to draw that one.

I have a Marlin 5510 10 gauge ("The Original Goose Gun") that I am thinking about using with 3.5 inch OO or OOO buck when I draw that hunt. But that is only for the antlerless hunt.

If your wife has pretty much won the lottery and drew the "any deer" tag, I'd say a rifled slug barrel with slugs is the only way to go. Spot and stalk on a bedded down buck should be an option in a lot of the open area. Dialed in at 150 for an opportunity at 200 yards might work well. And it obviously covers anything closer.

Others may disagree or offer differing opinions; I've been fortunate enough to take several deer in Washington with buckshot.

In any case, have a great hunt. And good luck .

Fisherdaddy · 06-30-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loper

Congratulations to her; I'm still trying to draw that one.

I have a Marlin 5510 10 gauge ("The Original Goose Gun&quot

that I am thinking about using with 3.5 inch OO or OOO buck when I draw that hunt. But that is only for the antlerless hunt.

If your wife has pretty much won the lottery and drew the "any deer" tag, I'd say a rifled slug barrel with slugs is the only way to go. Spot and stalk on a bedded down buck should be an option in a lot of the open area. Dialed in at 150 for an opportunity at 200 yards might work well. And it obviously covers anything closer.

Others may disagree or offer differing opinions; I've been fortunate enough to take several deer in Washington with buckshot.

In any case, have a great hunt. And good luck .

She actually drew the doe tag. We are going to have to be close. Will buckshot enhance her chances if a kill, or would a slug work better? We want to end the hunt as quickly as possible due to time restrictions with her job.

baltz526 · 06-30-2008, 03:03 PM

20ga with slugs is what i would have her use. surprisingly accurite out to 70yds. from my experiance on targets

Lucky one · 06-30-2008, 03:13 PM

My first deer was killed with buck shot. It pretty much mowed it over but I wouldn't advise buckshot unless you are danged close. Slugs work great. Anything in the body though causes a massive wound.

Fisherdaddy · 07-01-2008, 06:53 AM

Thanks for all of the help!

sunshinefisherman · 07-01-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fisherdaddy

My wife drew a tag for the Umatilla NWR. It is a shotgun/muzzeloader only hunt. What type of shotgun and loads are best for deer? Slugs, Buckshot etc??? You opinions will be appreciated.

00 buck is pretty effective and safer than a slug. The one doe I shot at about 45 yards with 00 Buck had several pellets in the gut; Pheww! what a job.

I own a Thomson Center Hawkins 50 cal that I made from a kit in 1981. I am taking it out for the first time in quite a while for 200M1 muzzle loading elk (hair tag). I am looking forward to it but a muzzle loader is not a "sure fire" solution and if you will be hunting in the rain, you may want to stick with the shotgun.

Dan360 · 07-01-2008, 04:52 PM

I would get her something that fits. Automatics tend to have a little less recoil, but I prefer pumps for slugs. I would opt for a slug over buckshot because its more of a direct-fire weapon. If you get a shotgun with a rifled slug barrel, you can use sabot shells that shoot very flat and accurately out to 150 yards. I bought a Remington 870 Express combo that came with a 28 inch smooth-bore for shot and a 20 inch rifled barrel with sights for slugs. The rifled barrel shoots a tennis ball-sized hole from 5 shots at 50 yards and keeps them within 4 inches at 100. I'd hunt with it. All for $325 after tax! The best part is that the new 870 combos, along with everything else made by Remington, come with R3 recoil pads. Makes shooting, even from the bench, very manageable.

StevenB · 07-01-2008, 10:22 PM

I've found 00 buck to be very effective without much meat damage at 15 yds plus.

Ryan Pultz · 07-02-2008, 01:22 AM

20ga with 00 buck will do the job just fine. Heck for closer shots someone once told me a 410 with a slug has the same power as a 30/30 that would be more then enough for a doe rp

lake creek charlie · 07-02-2008, 04:58 AM

Shot a 5x4 blacktail on the dunes with my 12 ga w slug at 35 yards. . Didnt take a step. Accurate to 100 yards

Quaka Wacka · 07-02-2008, 11:19 AM

Depends on the terrain and the way you hunt. About 3/4's of the deer I've shot have been with a shotgun, including my biggest blacktail. IN fact, my SBE has killed more deer than my deer/elk rifle. For hunting brushy areas and pushing areas, or where you will have quick shots at moving deer you want 00 hevi-shot in 2 3/4". And any reliable pump or semi works great. (the higher the magazine cap the better, and pull the 'plug' if it's legal in your area) Some will say that 00' lead works just fine, and thier right, but hevi-shot kills them better and gives you an extra 10 yards or so. Just use the choke that gives yhou the tightest pattern. This type of hunting is more like pheasant hunting than actual deer hunting. In any area you think you might see a deer, you should have that shotgun in our hands ( I usually pull my sling off when I start). You may only have a second or two to identify and shoot your target.

In more open areas where you are spotting and stalking or any other time you may have a longer time to get set up and a stationary target, I'd go with a slug. A thin slug barrel on a regular shotgun, with a scope can get you out to 125 or so. And if you really want to reach out, and you have the time and money to spend at the range practicing a bit; there are specialty slug guns. These will get you out to 200-250 if you have a range finder and the time to practice. On the low end you can get set up with a NEF and Burris Bplex scope (great combination) for around 500$. Shooting any slug past much 100 yards requires a rangefinder, as they really start to arc. Thes difference between 100 and 125 yards may be several feet in drop.

Its all a matter of how much you want to invest and how you plan to hunt. And no matter which one you chose, you will miss deer because they are too close and quick when you have slugs in, or too far when you have buck shot.

If you want to try out my slug gun or have any specific ?'s PM me.