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SLUG GUN

1K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  kfran1234 
#1 ·
I just went and tried to sight in a new cantilevered slug barrel for my Nova and I wasn't impressed at all with the results. I was shooting Federal Supreme 400 gr. slugs at 50 yrds. I have it somewhat "on" now but My shoulder couldn't handle any more. I'm going to shoot it more before I start to hunt with it and I really don' know much about slug guns. I'm looking for advice on how to get this sucker sighted on well enough that I'm confident shooting at 125 yrds.
 
#4 ·
First of all, do you have a scope on it? if not forget shooting 100 yards and getting good groups. second of all, make damn sure that the barrel is screwed all the way in. i had the same problem at first because the nut wasnt tight. Thirdly, its gonna kick, i suggest getting a recoil pad. Forth on the list as far as i know, the only federals that shoot remotely like a bullet are the Barnes Expanders, possible to get 1" groups at 100 yards. Possible!!
this is gonna take time for you to get use to but once you do you'll be a crackshot. and when sighting in sometimes it is best to shot once and take a break. i find doing that and wearing hearing protection get me sighted in a whole lot faster.
 
#5 ·
Yeah I tried to tighten the cap as much as I could, but I guess I could make it tighter with a wrench. I am definatly planning on going back out for another try but I really like the federals. I'll keep shopping for different slugs but the federal premiums were the only ones I liked. I have a 3x9x40 Bushnell banner scope.
 
#6 ·
the barrel nut should be fine, you said you are shooting the Winchesters in your pm. here are the Ballistics:

Muzzle 50 75 100 125
Velocity 1700 1554 1420 1359
Energy 2566 2144 1791 1640
Drop 1.1 1.0 00 -2.1

i think i put a few of these through my 12 gauge but i didnt like them as much as the Federal Barnes Expanders because i wasnt getting consistant groups either.
 
#7 ·
I assume you have a rifled barrel and are shooting sabot slugs. Also, shoot from a rest when sighting in, one that will absorb some recoil. The "Lead Sled" is an excellent option. Is your Nova chambered for 3.5" shells? What size shells are you shooting? I have a mossbeg 835 w/ scope rifled barrel etc. I usually shoot hasting 2 3/4" sabots. I couldnt dial in @ 100yards. I emailed Hastings and they called me back immediately. He asked if my gun was chambered for 3.5". He mentioned that the jump from a 2-3/4" slug thru the chamber can cause accuracy problems. I changed to a 3" hastings and had excellent results. I then tried the 3.5" Lightfield and had excellent results. However, shooting the Lightfield off the rest is not pleasant. I got scope in the eye and a sore shoulder. Check out this link for more info www.slugshooting.com.
 
#8 ·
I would recommend trying a few different slugs. I shoot 2 3/4 lightfields out of my 11-87 slug gun and they pattern wonderfully. I started off shooting close range, 25 yards, to get it on and then moved back to 50 and 100 and fine tuned from there. Use a rest FOR SURE. It is the only way to sight the gun in properly. Your shoulder is going to be sore sighting in slugs. Not much I can help you with on that one.
 
#9 ·
Yeah I was using a buddies rest which isn't the sturdiest of rests. Ill see if I can find a decent one around town. I did more research today and found 3 shells that I like. Hornandy SST 2 3/4 in. 300 gr. 2000 fps. Federal barns expanders 2 3/4 in. 1 oz . And the Winchester Supreme platinum tip 2 3/4 in. 400 gr. 1700 fps. I already have the winchesters but I didn't buy the others yet. I got the action and barrel squeeky clean last night so at least thats out of the way. I am goin out of town for the next few days but I plan on buying those other two boxes and setting up round 2 on monday. Any ideas??
 
#11 ·
Definitely try different slugs. Depending on the gun, some will most likely shott better than others. If you are shooting from a rest, hang on to the forearm. With many rifle calibers, you can get away with not holding the forearm, but due to the recoil of 12 ga slugs, the amount the barrel flips can throw you off.
 
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