Rifled Deer Shotgun

[YoMan]

I'm in the market for a semi-auto rifled deer shotgun and I'm not feeling any of the ones on the shelves...

Checked out the Italian made brands Benelli sbe2/m2 (my dad has the M2 and swears by it), and the Beretta 391 Extrema, but I don't like the fit. Looked at the Remington model but don't like the finish on the synthetic ones (little too rugged, which would not bad for waterfowl'n tho).

Took the longest look at the Win sx3, but again with the fit.

I currently shoot a 26" Browning Gold superlite and its a perfect fit. Its my main bird gun and does fine at that, but I tried it last year in the tree and man does that thing kick. Too light, and I could not get any groupings at 20 yards even with the gun resting against a tree.

Thought of a cantilever for it but im not sure if its going work because of the recoil issues. So I am thinking about a regular Browning Gold with the riled barrel, but I don't recall seeing them as of recent at Big C, or GM? Did they get replaced with the Silver?

Anyhow, they're good looking guns and have almost the same feel I think. Just wondering if they did stop making the Gold, and if any of you members have or have used the Silver yet. Reviews?

[96trigger]

I'm surprised that you didn't like the Winchester SX3, they are very similar to the Browning Golds. Their HSOforum still lists the browing golds, but not with a slub barrel, they do for the silvers. If you like your silver, think about ordering one with the slug barrel. Otherwise, I would check other manufacturer websites have for slug guns and go to the big stores and look at them. You sound picky, which is a good thing when you are goind to drop that kind of money on a firearm.

Couple things I would suggest. Rifled barrels with sabot slugs are fantastic deer machines. You can be good out to 150 yards +/- 50 depending on your comfort level. I am comfortable out to 75 with open sights and 125 with a scope. I have both depending on where I am hunting. Secondly, I also gave up shooting 3" slugs, the 2 3/4 actually grouped much better and didn't leave my shoulder bruised. It took a couple years to convince my dad of this also, he always wanted to shott 3" shells, and it took some time at the range to convince him that the 2 3/4 preformed just was well, without the kick. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[YoMan]

Thanks for the reply. I like the overall look of the synthetic Silver. Going to start calling around pretty soon.

I was in the same boat w/the 3 in shells. My dad and bro wanted me to start with them lol. I remember when we were getting the sights in at the indoor range, the kick back knocked off my ear muffs each time!

[harvey lee]

I agree, when I still used my slug guns, I did alot of patterning and the 2-3/4 worked just fine. with much less kick.

[Steve Foss]

I shoot a Mossy 695 bolt action 12-gauge slug gun these days. Been with me two seasons now. Shooting Federal Barnes Expander sabots in 2 3/4 and 3/4 oz loads (and scoped with a Leopold Rifleman 3-9x shotgun/muzzy scope), my last trip to the range produced 1.5-2 inch groups at 100 yards. The more I concentrated and ignored the coming kick, the tigther the groups. One group was just under 1.5 inches.

I don't know if 3-in mag rounds are inherently less accurate than the shorter and lighter loads, but I do know I would not have been able to get groups like that with the mags. Too much wincing in anticipation of the kick with the mags. And even the lighter 2 3/4 load delivers enough power to knock down and anchor any big game at up to 175-200 yards. If I ever try to draw a moose tag, the Mossy will be my gun.

The Mossy is an excellent gun for not much money. It's not the semi-auto you were looking for, but it's fairly light and a great piece of big game hunting kit. I'll take shots at 150 yards with complete confidence. Has the matte, ported barrel and gray composite stock.

Whichever gun you settle on, I enthusiastically second the use of 2 3/4 loads.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

If I ever decided to upgrade to fully rifled shotgun, I would take a 20 gauge over a 12 in a heartbeat.

[Steve Foss]

If I ever decided to upgrade to fully rifled shotgun, I would take a 20 gauge over a 12 in a heartbeat.

I've heard a good bit about 20 gauge slugs vs 12 gauge, but have not shot 20 gauge slugs before. I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who has shot deer extensively with both and can give real-world perspective on the differences.

Well, that might actually need a thread of its own to keep this one on-topic, eh?

[uptracker]

My Dad shoots 20 ga slug gun and has shot many deer with it over 30+ years. He loves it. I'm not sure about the ballistics, but I believe it doesn't drop as bad as a 12 ga. He's never had a problem shooting out to 100 yards though.

I shoot a 12 ga and 2 3/4" Lightfield hybrids. It's a deadly combo out to 125. Supposidly now, you can get a 3" Lightfield and sight in at 50 yards and it is good to past 150 (I believe). Check out their site for more info.

[Jackpine Rob]

As you might remember Steve, I am the guy who touted those Federal slugs to you, and it sounds like you are getting the same excellent performance that I experienced with my Model 1100/Hastings barrel. I'm willing to bet you could tighten those groups a bit more - perhaps by anesthetizing your shoulder prior to going to the range.....

The 20 is a great performer, but as I have started to push both my gun and my son's 20 870/Hastings barrel out to 200 yards, I am running into a minor limitation with the 20. I've got a few more inches of drop at 200 than I was anticipating with the 20, while the 12 is still within acceptable tolerances. What I am looking for is that "sweet spot" of sighting in where a guy simply doesn't have to think - just put the crosshairs on the target and pull the trigger. So far with the 20, my comfort zone ends at about 175. In order to get that, I had to abandon the Remington Coppersolids in 2 3/4" that shot like a dream, and upsize to the newer Hornady rounds - with an attendant increase in recoil.

Jackpine Jr. has taken a number of deer with his rig, and that 20 really puts the hurt on them. Only one major tracking job to date, and that was simple operator error - it was hit too far back and I had to trail it for about a quarter mile.

[Steve Foss]

I remember well, Rob, and thanks for that recommendation as well as the comparison between 20 and 12. I don't doubt the 20 is a deer slug machine, too, just haven't seen comparisons from people who have shot a lot of both. I also have no doubt the Mossy/Expanders are more accurate and precise than I am. It's me limiting them, not the other way around.

I don't know why I even post these questions on the forums. I should just shoot PMs to Rob.

[trolloni]

You will be surprized how well the 20 performs less weight, less kick ,very accurate ,puchased a savage 220 20 gauge last fall it likes federal barnes expanders also, the company recomends them, of the 3 inch variety ,150 yard gun for sure with a good scope !and dont worry about the bolt fast and smooth just a little differant dont take much to get used to, also MADE IN AMERICA !!!!

[MJ1657]

You will be surprized how well the 20 performs less weight, less kick ,very accurate ,puchased a savage 220 20 gauge last fall it likes federal barnes expanders also, the company recomends them, of the 3 inch variety ,150 yard gun for sure with a good scope !and dont worry about the bolt fast and smooth just a little differant dont take much to get used to, also MADE IN AMERICA !!!!

I'm going to pick up my new Savage 220 tomorrow. It was a tough decision to switch to the 20 guage for me but I think not having the recoil of a 12 guage is going to help me out alot.