How Effective Are 12 Gauge Slugs in Shotguns?

A 12-gauge slug has a flatter trajectory out to around 150 yards. This means a good shot from an iron sight should be fine at this distance. At that distance, the slug will still be traveling at around 1000 ft/sec. This means the slug will drop around 10 inches or so.

Rifled slugs exhibit deep penetration with very little deformation

Rifled slugs are large, solid lead projectiles that exhibit deep penetration and little deformation. They are often used for deer or wild pig hunting, or in jurisdictions where rifles are prohibited. Rifled slugs tend to be less stable in flight than other bullet types, but they still exhibit very high penetration rates and little deformation.

They increase a shotgun’s effective range

The effectiveness of 12 gauge slugs in shotguns can vary greatly. Some slugs are sub-caliber projectiles with hollow points that can produce fantastic wound channels in big games 12 gauge slugs. These slugs have an average weight of 300 grains and are propelled by a 25 to 45-grain powder charge. The recoil generated by these slugs can range from 12 to 25 pounds.

Slugs in shotguns typically have a higher muzzle velocity than buckshot. For example, a 1-ounce rifled slug from a Remington Slugger 2.75-inch shell has a muzzle velocity of 1,600 fps, while Winchester Active Duty 00 Buckshot rounds have a muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps. This higher muzzle velocity enables slugs to reach their target faster. It also increases the effective range of shotgun slugs.

They penetrate brush

When hunting in thick brush, the most effective bullets are those that can penetrate brush. Even though the average deer hunter only had a few seconds to make the kill, the best brush bullets gave hunters a better chance at connecting. But what exactly is the best brush bullet?

The most effective slug is the one that can penetrate brush with a 12-gauge rifle. However, sabot and Foster slugs do not penetrate brush very well. Their muzzle energy is not as high as those of lighter bullets, and they have more trouble penetrating brush. Consequently, they tend to be more expensive.

A common high-brass load of twelve gauge slugs has an MV of ninety-six fps at iron sight range. However, at the same distance, the slug’s BC is very low, so the accuracy is poor. Rifled slugs are marginally better at this range, but they are still short-range propositions.

They have a better BC

If you are looking for a way to improve the accuracy of your slugs, consider switching to a heavier 12 gauge slug. These slugs have better BC than standard slugs, but their frontal profile and recoil characteristics are different. This means that they need a higher twist rate than standard slugs.

A higher BC means that the slug will shoot farther and with less noise. The Winchester/Olin high-speed slug is the top choice for rifled barreled shotguns. It has a higher BC, but is significantly heavier than a plain rifled slug. This extra weight will contribute to the difference in the retained energy at 100 yards.

A typical high-brass (12 gauge) slug will shoot at about ninety-two yards and drop about 4 feet at 300 yards. This decrease in BC will reduce accuracy, but is minimal. Even at this distance, a slug can penetrate 3/4-inch plywood and remain deadly.