sabot slugs, outdoor world says ok for smoothbore, box says not?

Question

Long story short, is that I have a box of

"Remington Premier Copper Solid 1 oz hollow point magnum sabot slugs"-says the box

they are 2 3/4 inch 12 gauage

I went to outdoor world today and asked if these were ok to run through a smoothbore barrel with an improved cylinder (IC) choke. He said I got that completely right and its ok.

I got home today and on the box it has this:

WARNING: This ammunition is designed for use in fully rifled barrels or rifled choke tubes only. Barrel damage or serious injury may occur if this ammunition is fired in fixed or screw in, modified or improved cylinder chokes.

Is it ok or not?

Answer 1

If you shotgun has screw in chokes on the end of the barrel, or and adjustable screw type choke on the end of your barrel, than do NOT shoot Sabots out of your smooth bore shotgun. If you have a regular barrel that is smooth bore and has been factory choked in Improved Cylinder (The barrel itself is choked) than you can shoot Sabots safely..You should be aware that Sabots are going to be less accurate out of a smooth bore shotgun as they depend on the rifling to spin them for stability and accuracy. Sabots being shot out of any smoothbore shotgun will not be as accurate as they would be if shot out of a fully rifled barrel...........

Answer 2

There's really no positive answer here. A sabot slug is designed to be spun when fired from a barrel for maximum accuracy. It sits in a plastic sabot that can ride the bores in a rifle barrel or rifled choke tube. They will fire fine from a cylinder bore shotgun, but it's a waste for the more expensive slugs, as they wont spin, will be unstable, and not hit anything. A rifled slug should be used with a smoothbore barrel, and possibly some rifled chokes, but should never be used in a rifled barrel. They will perform pretty well when passing through a modified or IC choke, such as the one you have.

The problem with the slugs you have is that they're the copper solids, and not lead. They have very little give to accommodate the tighter choke, and might not be able to pass through your barrel. A lead core, lead solid, or lead 'shuttlecock' sabot slug can sometimes be passed through an improved cylinder, but there's little reason to do it. Any sabot slug will not have as much give as a rifled slug, as that's part of the reason for the rifling, as squeezing the rifling down will allow the slug to have a little more 'give' to it's diameter.

I'd take those back and get a box or two of some nice rifled slugs. Breneke KO's are cheap and dependable, while the new Federal Pow'r Ball is more accurate than most slugs, including some sabot slugs, and still fairly reasonable. The best slugs I've found for for hunting have been the Win SuperX 3" 1 oz high speed slugs. 1800 fps in a 500 grain lead slug, I made the mistake of firing a few of these out of a 6lb Beretta 1201FP. Ended my day pretty fast, and caught the attention of everyone shooting that day. Unfortunately, I've only seen them at Gander Mtn. for $5 a pack once, and everywhere else they're $14 or more.

Answer 3

The fear is that the sabots will open in the choke and hold slightly creating high pressures. You might not have any problems, but Sabot rounds are not really the best choice for smoothbores. I would look for a foster type rifled slug and use that.

John

Answer 4

Always go with the recommendations of the manufacturer. But just to let you know...
It's my experience that you can fire these sabot slugs from a smooth bore, improved cylinder or rifled screw-in choke.
You will get the best accuracy when fired from shotguns in this order:
1. Fully riffled barrel, ...best results
2. Screw-in rifled choke tube
3. smooth bore improved cylinder
Speak with your local gunsmith as well, maybe get some advise there too.

Answer 5

I suppose the reason for the warning might be that the sabot could possibly catch on the choke?
I have no idea

I've shot them in the modified screw in choke on my 870 and have no problems. I suspect thousands of others do the same with no ill effects.

If it was my gun, I'd shoot them.
But it's not my gun.

Answer 6

Sabot slugs are foe Fully Rifled barrels only!

Answer 7

Bad idea.* Take them back and get Remington Sluggers Brand rifled slugs for your shotgun. Do not use the sabot slugs..****

Answer 8

the only reason i can think of is the fact of a sight taper in the tube. but if you use a cylider bore, you should not have any trouble. the rifled tube does not have any " choke" except the rifling.

Answer 9

Heed the manufacturer's warning.