I have a rifled slug barrel for my shotgun.  Do I HAVE to shoot sabots or can I use rifled slugs?  I have been told yes both ways.  


thanks, gremlin

you can shoot either one.

To really utilize the rifling in your barrel, you'd need to shoot Sabots, but you can shoot regular slugs.

yes you can shoot both , but as stated above the sabots will be more accurate and carry more down range energy. The accuracy problem stems from the fact that regular slugs have spiral groves molded in them intended to impart a spin when used in a smooth bore. Ths spin may or may not match your rifle barrels twist. Also the shape of the projectile is about like that of a pumpkin. A sabot is much more aero shaped and will conforme to your rifled barrels desires...pat

Thanks!!

As an aside... do you guys prefer a rifled barrel with sabots?  

I ask as I have a Remington 870 with it's short 20-inch smoothbore slug barrel which I have the receiver drilled and tapped with a cheap Bushnall 1.5-4 power scope mounted.  This shotgun/scope combination will shoot 3-inch groups at 100-yards all day using Brenike (SP?) foster style slugs.

My father has a fancy new Mossburg with a rifled 24-inch barrel and a 2-7 power Leupold that shoots about the same sized groups using a variety of sabots.  His sabots cost about 3-times as much for minimal advantage that I have seen!

Now, here in PA I can use a centerfire rifle and I have a 300 Win Mag that I often carry usually choosing the shotgun if I am hunting in heavy brush where my longest shot might be 100-yards and most shots are under 50-yards.  For me, sabots never made sence and I know my father isn't happy to be spending soo much more for ammo to get very little more out of the gun!

Oppinions?

Quoted: As an aside... do you guys prefer a rifled barrel with sabots?   I ask as I have a Remington 870 with it's short 20-inch smoothbore slug barrel which I have the receiver drilled and tapped with a cheap Bushnall 1.5-4 power scope mounted.  This shotgun/scope combination will shoot 3-inch groups at 100-yards all day using Brenike (SP?) foster style slugs. My father has a fancy new Mossburg with a rifled 24-inch barrel and a 2-7 power Leupold that shoots about the same sized groups using a variety of sabots.  His sabots cost about 3-times as much for minimal advantage that I have seen! Now, here in PA I can use a centerfire rifle and I have a 300 Win Mag that I often carry usually choosing the shotgun if I am hunting in heavy brush where my longest shot might be 100-yards and most shots are under 50-yards.  For me, sabots never made sence and I know my father isn't happy to be spending soo much more for ammo to get very little more out of the gun! Oppinions?

                                  quaterbore...I hunt in wny....near jamestown.....have spent $$$ on rifled slug bbls etc......my kid does just as good with my old 870 that i gave him...same as you....personally...I would just keep on going with the 870 if I was you...........p.s.....stay with brennekes also