Looking for advice on 12GA, 3" shotgun sabot slugs

[Haskell_Hunter]

I've been shooting Remington Premier Copper Solid Sabot Slugs for the past 10 years and am very happy with them.  However, The cheapest price I've seen for a box of 5 is $17.34, and that's mail order.  Who knows how long we'll be able to get ammo online anymore.  I've seen them locally for about $25 or more for a box of 5.

 

I shoot a Remington 11-87 with a 21" rifled cantilever barrel.  I'm looking for other folks' experiences with other sabot slugs because I think I need to invest in a brand that costs a little less but does the job right.  $5 a shot is a little steep especially if I want to shoot pre-season at the range.

[Bucksnbows]

Basically, the cheaper you go, the lower the velocity.  But it doesn't always mean different accuracy.  You have to factor at what range you may need to shoot to best decide.  If all of your shots are well under 100 yards, that is one thing.  If you might shoot beyond that distance, your decision might be different.  

 

I'm shooting Hornady SSTs out of my 12 gauge.  They've managed to make a 2 3/4" sabot with a velocity of 2,000 fps that shoots better out of my Remington 870 than the Remington Copper Solids (3" Rem. Copper Solids has velocities of only 1550 fps) did when I shot them.  You can buy them direct from Hornady for $15.87 plus shipping and I find their online prices to meet or exceed my local prices (plus I don't have to pay shipping when I buy locally).  Now is the time to buy slugs, not a month before the season begins.  Most local shops (at least by me) have them in stock and I don't just mean Hornady SSTs.

[Haskell_Hunter]

Thanks, good to know.  I've see that Cabelas and BassPro don't have the Remington slugs I use, but Cheaperthadirt does.  It's a sign that I need to start buying ammo now so I have it in my box rather than stare at a bunch of "backordered" statuses the month before the season starts.

 

I was invited to go to NH for a weekend to hunt deer this year.  So I'll probably sight to 100 yards and anticipate possibly longer shots.  Won't know for sure until I get there, but I'd rather start planning early.

Edited July 21, 2013 by Haskell_Hunter

[Bucksnbows]

I was invited to go to NH for a weekend to hunt deer this year.  So I'll probably sight to 100 yards and anticipate possibly longer shots.  Won't know for sure until I get there, but I'd rather start planning early.

 

Ironically, I gun hunt in PA using a 7 mm Rem. mag. and can't shoot or see beyond about 80 yards out of my stand there even though it is a tack driver well beyond 500 yards.  Here in NJ, I hunt big, open woods where I can see 300 yards in certain directions but am limited to far less because of our shotgun only rules (I don't own a muzzle loader).  That is the reason I decided to try the Hornady SSTs a few years back.  I was thrilled that in my gun, they shot a much tighter group than did the 3" Remington Copper Solids (I think I was using an older version of what you are using now).  That SST round is much flatter shooting with the higher velocities.  I took a 200# bear at 128 yards and got a pass through at that range.  I did run up on the bear and put a finishing shot into it, but my first shot got the back of the lungs and the liver.   Good luck if you try something new as we all know what a PITA it can be switching slugs. 

[Nomad]

Shoot your .22 for fun and your shotgun at deer.  I only take a few practice shots before the season to make sure my shotgun is on. 

[Nomad]

Stick with what you have, not worth switching.

[BHC]

I have the same shotgun and use Lighfield EXP 2-3/4" excellent out to 100 yds. after that they drop. Look into the Remington Accutips I would stay with 2-3/4" over the 3" for the 12ga

[BHC]

where in NH are you going to deer hunt? My sister owns 40 plus acres in Loudon, and every year I say I will go hunt and never do

[Haskell_Hunter]

Not sure exactly where, maybe Pittsfield or Berlin.  I grew up in Nashua and know the state really well.  My parents still live there as well as a lot of friends from high school.

[BHC]

my sister lived in Pittsfield for many years from 1980 till around 1990 or 91

[BHC]

Here is some advice, the rifled barrel for this shotgun has a slow twist some of the faster sabot slugs will not fly as well as the slower sabot slugs. Years ago I changed over ammo, I was using the Lightfield EXPs with very good results I wanted a faster, lighter weight slug and at the time I opted for the Winchester Partition Gold 385gr. my thought was I will reach out further for my first year hunting Illinois, those slugs wouldn't stabilize, back to the Lightfield EXPs.......Now these days I don't even use the 12ga., for me it's all about the 20ga.

 

[jerseyhunter]

my vote is for the Lightfields.   Copper Solids and Lightfields shoot the same for me  with in 1/4 " at 100yds, after that I ihave to factor in the ballistics, but the Lighrfields drop em where they are,  where as the solids went right threw,as they fly quicker and didn't mushroom. The lightfieds are 1/4oz heavier and really put em down. Sort of like comparing a 38 to a 45. 

Edited July 22, 2013 by jerseyhunter

[BHC]

If still hunted with the 12ga I was set to try the Remington AccuTip 2-3/4" since I love them in 20ga.

[Haskell_Hunter]

Lots of good options.  I'll probably look locally for a box of each recommendation above and see how they all do at the range.  Many thanks!

[Greenspace]

You'll be much happier with 2 3/4" sabots, good to 100+ yards with less recoil