Ithaca37

[HeadedWest1]

No disrespect intended. Why not sell the antique and pickup an 870 combo (smoothbore and rifled barrel) or a dedicated slug gun with a rifled cantilever barrel. The Ithaca was designed to shoot birdshot not slugs. Take advantage of modern day slug accuracy and power. Then again if you are holding on to the Ithaca for nostalgic reason that's another story.

[BHC]

No disrespect intended. Why not sell the antique and pickup an 870 combo (smoothbore and rifled barrel) or a dedicated slug gun with a rifled cantilever barrel. The Ithaca was designed to shoot birdshot not slugs. Take advantage of modern day slug accuracy and power. Then again if you are holding on to the Ithaca for nostalgic reason that's another story.

The Ithaca was designed to be versatile......I have two, 12ga with the deerslayer barrel (smoothbore), and a 20ga with a field barrel

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithaca_37

[Nomad]

Is it just a 37 or Deerslayer model?  Most Deerslayer models will shoot either Brenneke, Federal or Rem Sluggers into a tight group at 100 yards.  I have two and both shoot 3" groups at 100 yards with Remington sluggers.  Now if you want to shoot a little further, then some of the new rifled barrel guns will do better.

[BHC]

Is it just a 37 or Deerslayer model?  Most Deerslayer models will shoot either Brenneke, Federal or Rem Sluggers into a tight group at 100 yards.  I have two and both shoot 3" groups at 100 yards with Remington sluggers.  Now if you want to shoot a little further, then some of the new rifled barrel guns will do better.

Normad, I agree when I was younger before rifled barrels the original Brennekes shot best, couldn't find them I tried the Remington Sluggers and they shot great as well

[Nomad]

For those that love the old Deerslayers like me, you might find these letters interesting.  Details the development of the old Deerslayers.

[Dogface]

Are you using Foster slugs or sabots? Sabot slugs will not shoot well out of an unrifled barrel.

 

I have a Deerslayer and it shoots 2 to 4" groups at 100 yards. Mine prefers Winchester or Brennekes.

[Blend No 27]

My 1976 prefers federal tru balls. I get like 3 inch groups at 50. Pie plate at 100. It probably shoots better than I can shoot it though. My 1950 featherlight like Winchester’s and rem sluggers.

 

Nomad- that was a good read I actually saved it and printed it for my dad haha

[Nomad]

My 1976 prefers federal tru balls. I get like 3 inch groups at 50. Pie plate at 100. It probably shoots better than I can shoot it though. My 1950 featherlight like Winchester’s and rem sluggers.

 

Nomad- that was a good read I actually saved it and printed it for my dad haha

Glad you appreciated it.  I have it in print also.

[Nomad]

Another good write up on the Deerslayer referencing the letters that I previously posted: "The Deer Slayer first appeared in Ithaca's catalog in 1959 with a 26" smoothbore barrel, and a carbine barrel of 20", straight bored to within a few thousands of SAAMI specs for slugs with rifle sights mounted, or for the Deluxe model, a receiver sight. Of course this was the Model 37 Featherlight pump. Available in 12, 16, and 20 gauges. 

It all started on a deer hunt some years earlier in upstate NY. Ed Thompson, the head of Ithaca's repair department was among a hunting party when one of the fellows shot at a trophy buck at around the 100yd mark with a 12ga. slug, (type of gun was not mentioned, but it was a regular shotgun). The deer fled and the hunter assuming he made a clean miss retired for the day. 

The next day the party hunted and stumbled across the trophy buck, dead from the previous day and rotting. Ed Thompson being a sportsman with a concern for game decided to take the problem of accuracy to Ithaca and see what could be done to make the most accurate slug gun possible. In 1958 Ithaca's sales department sent a letter to the barrel department requesting a barrel specifically for deer hunting. Two longtime Ithaca employees are credited with the development and technique of straight boring for the Deer Slayer barrels, Howard Lelik, and Francis Keene, (barrel room foreman). A straight bored barrel with rifle sights which closely fitted factory slugs was the end product. 

Accuracy tests were done by H.P. White laboratory before the Deer Slayer made it's debut, "We have confirmed the company's claim to superior accuracy and stated that the performance of the Deer Slayer closely approached that of a .35 caliber deer rifle at 100 yards distance." 

Shortly after, other gun manufacturer's began offering slug guns of their own design, but in my opinion, the Ithaca '37 is still the best. The company has changed and made improvements over the years, with rifled barrels introduced in the 1980's, with the D-S II and the D-S III currently available. Sadly, gone is the smoothbore Deer Slayer barrels from Ithaca's current catalog. We have to resort to used smoothies these days, but they're out there! I bought one this year for my '37 Magnum model on Gun Broker."

Edited December 25, 2017 by Nomad

[ithaca10]

Is it just a 37 or Deerslayer model?  Most Deerslayer models will shoot either Brenneke, Federal or Rem Sluggers into a tight group at 100 yards.  I have two and both shoot 3" groups at 100 yards with Remington sluggers.  Now if you want to shoot a little further, then some of the new rifled barrel guns will do better.

 

It's just a 37.

[BHC]

Few dedicated slugs guns on the market: Savage 220,,212, H&R Ultra (used only), combos : Mossberg 500, Remington 870