The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Rifled Barrels and Buckshot

pinetree · January 31, 2010, 09:19 AM

Looking at 870's & 500's, 20g. I see a combos with the normal vented long barrel and a 20" or 24" rifle slug. I would prefer a 20g because I like this round and my shoulder is beat up. I shoot 12g out of a Beretta semi, for ducks, geese and clays, but the 20g (OU) for dove and quail. Being a hunter, I want this gun to be a field back-up gun hence the combo approach.

I am leaning 870 because the rifled barrel is 20".

Questions:
1. Are 18.5" barrels available for 870 or 500 20g?
2. I know rifled barrels sling shot, but does it really make a material difference at ranges under 25yds?
3. Can I shot plain slugs out of a rifled barrel or do they need to be sabot rounds? The sabot rounds are 3x the cost.
4. Or screw-it and go 12ga. (this would give me a back-up for my trips to Canada)

January 31, 2010, 09:19 AM	#1
pinetree Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2001 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 626	Rifled Barrels and Buckshot - Home Defense Looking at 870's & 500's, 20g. I see a combos with the normal vented long barrel and a 20" or 24" rifle slug. I would prefer a 20g because I like this round and my shoulder is beat up. I shoot 12g out of a Beretta semi, for ducks, geese and clays, but the 20g (OU) for dove and quail. Being a hunter, I want this gun to be a field back-up gun hence the combo approach. I am leaning 870 because the rifled barrel is 20". Questions: 1. Are 18.5" barrels available for 870 or 500 20g? 2. I know rifled barrels sling shot, but does it really make a material difference at ranges under 25yds? 3. Can I shot plain slugs out of a rifled barrel or do they need to be sabot rounds? The sabot rounds are 3x the cost. 4. Or screw-it and go 12ga. (this would give me a back-up for my trips to Canada)