Pennsylvania Game News - December 2018 - 60

and action with rifle sights to big-game
models that are built to fit like big-game
rifles.
The big-game models come in a
variety of wood, laminate or composite
stocks, dressed in camo, flat black and
other finishes.
There also are Monte Carlo stocks
for a better cheek weld, as well as recoil
pads that efficiently absorb the recoil and
help maintain your sight picture for a
possible follow-up shot.
Slug barrels come in 18½- to 24-inch
lengths with either the receiver being
drilled and tapped for a mount, or with
a barrel that has an integral cantilever
mount. Either accepts scopes and other
optics that stay rigidly zeroed with the
bore.
Barrels can come with fiber-optic
open sights, or sightless with a muzzlebrake. The metal finishes applied on barreled actions today are weather-resistant
coatings that match up with stocks.
Some of the today's semi-auto guns
used for big game include the Remington Model 11-87 Sportsman with
a cantilever 21-inch sightless barrel,
fiber stock in a flat-black, tough, nonreflective metal finish that shoots 2¾and 3-inch shells.
Benelli has the Super Black Eagle and
M2 models that come with composite
stocks and 24-inch barrels with open
sights. The receivers are drilled and
tapped for optic use. They will shoot
both 2¾- and 3-inch shells.
Mossberg has the 930 Slugster with
a cantilever, sightless 24-inch barrel that
chambers 2¾- and 3-inch shells.
It has a black composite stock and
the barrel and receiver have a weatherresistant finish.
Winchester has the SX3 cantilever
model with a 22-inch chrome-lined
60

barrel chambered for 2¾-inch shells
with a black composite stock.
The barrel and action have a black
DuraCoat finish.
If you don't want to buy a new semiauto, all these companies still make
rifled slug barrels you could put on an
existing shotgun, which won't put a big
dent in your wallet.
You probably can find slug barrels
online for older models, or your local
gun shop might have a barrel bin with
used slug barrels.
Some shotguns can be finicky when it
comes to accuracy with slugs or sabots.
The best way to find what works for
you is to try different brands and see
what shoots best.
The typical slug is not a ballistically
efficient projectile; it has a rainbow
trajectory. Velocity on factory loads
can run from 1,200 fps to 1,900 fps and
their practical accuracy is out to about
100 yards.
The sabot-type ammunition, on the
other hand, is more efficient ballistically
and lighter.
Even though their velocity is only
around 1,900 fps, their flatter trajectory
allows them practical accuracy out to
150 yards and beyond.
The foot pounds of energy from slugs
and sabots are more than capable of
taking deer, bear or elk within correct
ranges.
For optics, there are scopes that have
shotgun ballistic reticles, as well as red
dots, fast fire and speed beads to aid in
accuracy.
Today's semi-auto shotgun with
matched ammunition and optics, is a
viable big-game firearm that would be a
positive addition to anyone's battery.

Pennsylvania Game News - December 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - December 2018