Question about shotgun slugs.?

Question

I understand that a slug is more closely related to a bullet rather then shot like a turkey load because a slug is made up of one large pellet and not a bunch of smaller ones.

Rifles have what's called "rifling" in them to make the bullet spin for accuracy. So does a shotgun need a special rifled barrel to shoot a slug?

Answer 1

Answers here are kinda sorta right.

Rifling provides spin whcih stabilizes a projectile in flight - like a football pass.

Shotguns are avail with rifled barrels and are more accurate than smooth bore SGs. Most of the time the ammo for a rifled barrel SG is a "sabot." EG. a plastic case surrounding a smaller caliber bullet-like slug. The plastic case falls off downrange after helping create a good gas seal and imparting spin to the projectile. These can be remarkably accurate to 100 yards.

Smoothbore slugs actually have diagonal grooves cut into them which also impart spin. They are accurate out to about 50 yards. They pack a whallop but lose energy fast.

You may also purchase a rifled choke tube that screws into the front of the barrel. This is a 3-4 inch rifled tube that imparts spin to the projectile for increased accuracy.

I personally shoot a 12ga Wincester 1300. Smooth bore but my barrell has rifle sights which are nice to have. Shoots 10-12" groups out to about 50 yds. Good enough for deer hunting.

Answer 2

Rifled barrels are normally made for used with saboted slugs and are very accurate. The lead, full-diameter slugs work just fine through a smooth barrel. They are more accurate than most people think because most people do not bother getting decent sights put on to shoot them.
Check your state rules, though. Rifled barrel may equal rifle in some places. Here in New York, it does not, so it is legal in shotgun only areas.

Answer 3

You're right. A shotgun slug is a single projectile just like rifles bullet. You can get a rifled barrel if you want to shoot slugs or are made to shoot slugs becaues your state does not allow centerfire rifles. A rifled barrel will extend the accurate shooting range of your gun. It will be up to you to practise and make those accurate shots.

Answer 4

Yes a slug is one large piece of lead or one of the new types!Shotguns can have rifling and does help with accuracy!

Smooth bore shotguns can shoot slugs accuately out to even 1oo yards but the rifled barrels will allow far superior accuracy even to longer ranges with then new slugs of today!

PS a 10" to 12" at 50 yards is way to poor to be shooting game!To humanely kill I would recommend 3" to 4"max groups at least at 50 yards!

Answer 5

no, but a rifled barrel makes them work better. Fluted Lead slugs will work fine in a un-rifled barrel but are limited in range. A rifled barrel will increase their range and accuracy several yards.

I have taken deer very effectively with a rifled slug when state law required I use one. After all, a 12 gage slug is 1OZ (500 grains) of lead. It hits pretty hard.

Answer 6

No, but a rifled barrel on a shotgun makes them more accurate. Probably the most well known rifled slugs are made by Brenneke.

Answer 7

No shotguns dont need a rifled barrel, they will shoot slugs through a smooth barrel, but the accuracy will be not as good through a smooth barrel. the rifling stabalizes it and makes it fly much smoother.

Answer 8

No, but the rifled barrel is thicker and can stand more pressure caused by shooting a "slug". Slugs should only be shot in guns that have been inspected by a good gunsmith.

Answer 9

no. i have some brenneke slugs that have rifling built into the slug and are also stabilized by a synthetic cork attached to the rear. its like a lethal shuttlecock. there are rifled barrels available for shotguns. i dont use one because it limits my choice of ammunition to slugs meant for rifled barrels. with my current smoothbore cylinder choke i can shoot anything i can fit into a shell.

Answer 10

one option is to buy a rifled barrel
they do make rifled slugs to shoot out of smooth bore shotgun barrels