Barrels: Rifled versus Smooth Bore?

Question

Ok, so I spent some time in local gun shops. I saw ALL types of guns. Now, while I don't know if I want a shotgun or a muzzleloader, I did find something else ot confuse me.

I know what smooth bore or rifled mean and does. But my question is while it makes a difference, is a rifled barrel essential? Hunters have used smooth bores with slugs for years. And I am sure with great success. Also, with a choke, a rifled slug might help some.

My main question is if for starting out, I would be ok without a rifled barrel (that costs like $150+). With a scope and a nice slug, I should still be good for 75yrds+ with some practice, 75yrds or more is doable. Just looking for some real insight as to IF I "have to" get a rather expensive rifled barrel to start out.

I meant I will be hunting deer / and maybe some boar and turkey in Ohio mainly. I have the option of hunting BRUSHY woods with some staight shots.

Answer 1

Don't even listen to the guy that said a muzzleloader can go 400 yards. Geesh...

If you just had a modified or improved cylinder, I wouldn't call a smooth bore shotgun a 100 yard gun. You should be able to hit a paper plate at 50 yards with the bead sight --- but it may be 3 or 4" or more off in one direction. Really it's a 50-75 yard gun only.
A rifled choke MAY get you to 100 yards, but in most shotguns...I doubt it.
Now there are some brand new slugs on the market that might assist you, but they cost 3 dollars a shot !!!
A scope will at least bring that group to where you want it, but you're going to spend 150 dollars for a scope and mount.

If you have a big box outdoor retailer near by, you should be able to find a Remington 870 or mossberg (alright shotgun for the price, but better used as a boatpaddle) that sell a combo package of the shot barrel and a rifled barrel. Basspro and Cabelas both had them on sale here a few weeks ago around St. Louis.
Don't know if there is a location near you. Gander or ***** or the like may have them.
You're best price and bet would be going to walmart and see if the combo is in their order catalog b/c their website does not do them justice.

I just think a rifled barrel is the better choice for over 75 yards.

Answer 2

If you're hunting in cover and not going to be shooting past 100m, I'd go with the less expensive and more versatile smooth bore shotgun. Some of the new rifled slugs will shoot up there with sabot slugs for rifled barrels. The Federal one with the ball in the back is fairly impressive. Of course, for any rifled slug, a sabot slug with the same load will always have a flatter trajectory, but with less 'knockdown power' and higher penetration. For a shotgun you can always easily change barrels and have a whole new firearm within minutes. Rifled barrels require you to fire sabot slugs, no matter what the rifled slug box says. Using a rifled slug in a rifled barrel will wear the rifling out faster and foul the rifling up with lead. It's pretty tough to clean out.

If you get a Mossberg 500, there is a muzzleloader barrel available for it if you do decide you'd like to load from the other end. I haven't tried it yet but I've heard it's nice.

If it were me doing it all over again, I'd pick up a Mossberg 500 with an interchangeable choke. There's also a combo available that comes with a 28" barrel with three chokes and a 24" rifled barrel.

Answer 3

Considering the uses you have in mind, I would buy a combination package shotgun. Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 Express are both inexpensive (relatively) and this way you would be hooked up for deer and boar with the rifled slug barrel and capable of shooting the sabot rounds which you will find much more accurate and destroy a lot less meat than a slug.

You will also have a barrel for small game, birds and turkey. The best of both worlds and you would be good to go no matter the season or prey.

I definitely would personally go for the Remington, but that is just a personal preference of mine. The Mossberg is also a quality firearm. A friend of mine bought the Remington combo offered here at Gander Mountain with the 870 Express and rifled slug barrel with the scope base cantilever so all he did was mount a red dot on it and he was good to go. He used sabots and got 2 deer with it this season so they are definite meat getter's.

Good luck with your choice and with your hunting.

Answer 4

Oh yeah Buzz smooth bore will be just fine for 50 - 80 yards with a slug. I was always a slug hunter with my shotgun then I discovered the 000 Buckshot load. 12 gauge 3" shell which holds 10 pellets. They are much bigger than the 00 buckshot. Buy a box for 5 bucks and try them at 75 yards full choke. You'll be surprised how well they shoot. But if you are dead set on slugs make sure you don't use a full choke. Cylinder or improved cylinder is better.

Answer 5

You don't mention where you are located or more importantly what you are planning to shoot.

If you are in a dense brushy area, and hunting deer, with shots of <100 yards, a 12 gauge with a rifled slug would be fine. . If however you are in Utah and hunting Mule deer, with a range of 300 to 500 yards, you certainly need a rifled barrel with something that has enough power to stop the animal without causing the animal a non fatal wound. For ranges like this, a .308 or .300 winchester Mag would be a good round.

If you are considering a black powder rifle, today's black powder rifles are for all intents nearly as good as a rifled weapon up to ranges of 250 yards (and more if you are a good shot)

One interesting fact, even today, is that more deer are taken with a .30-.30 than all other weapons. You can purchase a good repeater and scope for about $300 if you shop around. .

Hope this helps

Answer 6

a smooth bore slug barrel shotgun will get you out to 60 to 80 yards consistently with rifled slugs..... though 100 yards might be a stretch and impossible if you don't have a scope....

a rifled barrel shotgun barrel will take the new sabot slugs out to 150 to 200 yards consistently...but you will need a better scope to help you at that distance.....(extra $)

Answer 7

You are good to go.* There is no need for you to get a rifled barrel.* Manufactures recommend you only shoot rifled slugs from a cylinder or improved cylinder choke only.* I prefer the Remington Sluggers Brand.*