20ga. slug barrels

Brutus · November 27, 2014, 11:50 AM

Thinking of picking up a slug barrel for my 870.
Should I go with a Remington or are their better third party options available Hastings as an example?
Smoothbore or rifled?
Is it true that a saboted .45 slug through a rifled barrel is about the equivalent of a 300gr. 45/70 ( read this somewhere awhile back)?
which provides the best accuracy?
Can saboted components be purchased for reloading?
Thanks in advance.

Doyle · November 27, 2014, 11:56 AM

A rifled barrel using sabot slugs will normally give you better accuracy (i.e. longer range). With a 20ga, you are really talking about a 100 yd gun anyway. I've seen some smoothbore guns shoot really decent groups when pared with the right slug - you just have to play around to find the brand it really likes.

SARuger · November 27, 2014, 05:51 PM

I searched for a rifled/cantilevered barrel for my 870. I only found Remington barrels. I got mine from Midway on clearance, $175 with a cheap scope NIB. I ditched the scope for a Nikon Omega 1.5x6. The scope was overkill for the 20ga since its designed to handle the recoil of a muzzle loader but I feel its worth it to keep my zero dialed in.

If your going to use a scope, get the cantilever barrel, the saddle mounts will not hold zero since the barrel floats on a pump. Remington also offers a rifled barrel with rifle sights.

I recommend a rifled barrel and sabot slugs if a slug gun is what you want. I cant speak for ballistics, its not my expertize. I'm sure someone will chime in and give an opinion.

My gun shoots the most accurate with Hornady SST Sabots, they are expensive though. I also have good luck keeping a tight group with the Federal Fusion 3" Sabots. The Hornady's will consistently hold a 2" group at 100yds

My 20ga 870 slugster;

Brutus · November 28, 2014, 08:46 AM

Thanks for the feedback. Any idea about the velocity of those Hornady SST Sabots?

sfwusc · November 30, 2014, 10:02 PM

I have a H&R Topper 20 gauge. I think it has a full choke, but I honestly don't know. I have shot bird shot out of it hunting.

Can I shoot Federal rifled slugs out of it?

Can I shoot steel shot (waterfowl)?

I have a 12 gauge to do most of my shotgun work, but this 20 gauge was from my grandfather. I would like to use it every now and then if possible.

SARuger · November 30, 2014, 10:22 PM

Improved Cylinder is best for rifled/foster slugs. I can't answer for the steel shot question as we do not have any waterfowl around here to hunt.

SARuger · November 30, 2014, 10:26 PM

The advertised muzzle velocity for 12ga SST Sabot slugs is 2000fps, the 20ga comes in at 1800

Water-Man · December 1, 2014, 12:40 AM

20ga. Winchester Partition Gold Sabot Slug 2 3/4 velocity is 1800 also.

November 27, 2014, 11:50 AM	#1
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	20ga. slug barrels Thinking of picking up a slug barrel for my 870. Should I go with a Remington or are their better third party options available Hastings as an example? Smoothbore or rifled? Is it true that a saboted .45 slug through a rifled barrel is about the equivalent of a 300gr. 45/70 ( read this somewhere awhile back)? which provides the best accuracy? Can saboted components be purchased for reloading? Thanks in advance. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

November 28, 2014, 08:46 AM	#4
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	Thanks for the feedback. Any idea about the velocity of those Hornady SST Sabots? __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

November 27, 2014, 11:56 AM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	A rifled barrel using sabot slugs will normally give you better accuracy (i.e. longer range). With a 20ga, you are really talking about a 100 yd gun anyway. I've seen some smoothbore guns shoot really decent groups when pared with the right slug - you just have to play around to find the brand it really likes.

November 27, 2014, 05:51 PM	#3
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	I searched for a rifled/cantilevered barrel for my 870. I only found Remington barrels. I got mine from Midway on clearance, $175 with a cheap scope NIB. I ditched the scope for a Nikon Omega 1.5x6. The scope was overkill for the 20ga since its designed to handle the recoil of a muzzle loader but I feel its worth it to keep my zero dialed in. If your going to use a scope, get the cantilever barrel, the saddle mounts will not hold zero since the barrel floats on a pump. Remington also offers a rifled barrel with rifle sights. I recommend a rifled barrel and sabot slugs if a slug gun is what you want. I cant speak for ballistics, its not my expertize. I'm sure someone will chime in and give an opinion. My gun shoots the most accurate with Hornady SST Sabots, they are expensive though. I also have good luck keeping a tight group with the Federal Fusion 3" Sabots. The Hornady's will consistently hold a 2" group at 100yds My 20ga 870 slugster;

November 30, 2014, 10:02 PM	#5
sfwusc Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2013 Posts: 231	I have a H&R Topper 20 gauge. I think it has a full choke, but I honestly don't know. I have shot bird shot out of it hunting. Can I shoot Federal rifled slugs out of it? Can I shoot steel shot (waterfowl)? I have a 12 gauge to do most of my shotgun work, but this 20 gauge was from my grandfather. I would like to use it every now and then if possible.

November 30, 2014, 10:22 PM	#6
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	Improved Cylinder is best for rifled/foster slugs. I can't answer for the steel shot question as we do not have any waterfowl around here to hunt.

November 30, 2014, 10:26 PM	#7
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	The advertised muzzle velocity for 12ga SST Sabot slugs is 2000fps, the 20ga comes in at 1800

December 1, 2014, 12:40 AM	#8
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	20ga. Winchester Partition Gold Sabot Slug 2 3/4 velocity is 1800 also.