Slugs, not the slimy kind.

[Dogfish]

I have drawn a tag in a firearms restriction area for elk this year. This means that I must use a muzzle loader, large bore pistol. or a shotgun with slugs.

I have taken three elk with a muzzleloader, so I will still bring my .54 cal, but i will most likely leave it in the rig.

I just got a new slug barrel for my Mossberg 835, fully rifled, rifle sights. I am wondering what types of slugs you folks have used with good result and if you have any preferrences.

Here are some of the slugs that I have been able to buy so far:

Ordered 15 of the "Lightfield commander" slugs in 3.5". These are 1 oz. slugs with an impact discarding sabot (that is pronounced SAY-BOW) and they move out at around 1900 FPS! At $3 bucks a pop, I will be kind of stingy with them, but they look like the most powerful load.

I have 2 boxes of the Federal "hydroshock" sabot slugs. These are 1 oz. slugs moving out at 1450 FPS.

I have the remainder of one box of federal "Barnes expander" slugs, 1 oz. at 1450 FPS.

Two boxes of the old style 1.25 oz. foster slugs moving out at 1600 FPS.

I couldn't get hold of any of the Hornady sabot ammo. 1800 FPS with a 300 grain XTP bullet. They are out, and all of their distributors are out as well.

I get to shoot on Sunday, and I am bringing my PAST recoil reducer pad with me, but do you guys have any other suggestions as to brands I should check out?

Thanks, Andy.

[bait boy]

I don't know about speed but I think Brenneke makes a pretty mean slug, but thats the grand total of my experience with slugs so take that with a grain of salt.

[Dogfish]

I looked for Brennekes and could find none. I did find some of the new Hornady H2K slug ammo at Sportco today at lunch! It is a 2.75" shell, with a star crimp. Inside is a 300 grain XTP bullet that moves out at 1900 FPS. It should have a decent trajectory. I bought three boxes, at 10.47 per box. they had about 10 boxes left after I got mine, so if you're hunting a slug gun this year, your might want to get some. Andy

[fish forever]

When i lived out east most people used to swear by Brenneke's. They are an improvement over the basic Foster slug and would be my choice in smoothbore barrell. I have found them extremely hard to find in Oregon - only seen them in mail order. They make a 3" magnum that is like pointing a freight train at your quarry (with good accuracy for big hunk of lead).

If you have a rifled slug barrel and scope though - you could probably do better with sabot's.

[Dogfish]

I'll let you know the results after I get done. I now have an inventory of over 70 slugs, 5 different styles. I am looking forward to the shooting, but not the recoil. Andy

[Perfect Drift]

Dogfish, what choke are you using with slugs.
I have never shot them. Use a turkey and mushroom the end :-)

[Dogfish]

I took one deer using an old foster style slug through my 26" barrel, with full choke. Hit the deer in the neck, just the neck and head were visible, at 60 yards per my rangefinder.

I just bought a new rifled slug barrel, so there is no choke, just rifling.

I finally found some Brenneke slugs. I bought two boxes. These are 600 grain behemoths, 1 3/8 oz., and I am sure the will hit like a ton of bricks. I am up to 6 different brands to try. I'll post the results.

The cool thing about it is that for 5 days, I can hunt both elk and deer in the same area. For those five days, I will have to carry my .54 because I have a muzzle loader tag for deer.

Andy

[ 09-21-2001: Message edited by: Dogfish ]

[fish forever]

Dogfish, where did you find the Brenneke's?

FF

[Dogfish]

I finally found hem at a gun shop in Tacoma, Welchers. The number is in the directory, and you can get it by calling 411. I got some of the 1.375 oz. slugs (600 grains!). Best of luck. Andy

[Zen Leecher aka Bill W]

Andy,

I read an article in Field and Stream years ago where Bob Brister wanted to "test out" slugs. He was on a safari in Africa and used Brenneke slugs on cape buffalo.

Brister's still alive, the buffalo isn't.

Those heavy slugs should work exceptionally well on elk.