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shotgun slugs and adjustable choke

callktulucallktulu Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
edited August 2017 in General Discussion
I was in a Cabela's today looking at used longarms. I saw an old bolt-action 20-ga with an adjustable, external choke (maybe after-market?). It got me thinking... can rifled slugs be fired from a smoothbore with an adjustable choke? Or are there danger issues involved in doing that?

EDIT: After doing a little research, turns out the gun is a Mossberg 185KC, which came with external choke tubes. So maybe it's OK to shoot slugs thru it...
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Comments

  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,042 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hmmm, just thinking, I mean they shoot shot through them, why wouldn't a slug work? And BTW, my local shop got in a JC Higgens semi auto in with a Higgens! choke dog leg on the end! So like you I am attracted to it like a magnet. For what reason, ?? I don't know, sure not need...maybe someone come along and give us an answer.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    most shot gun slug are hollow base so they can be used with factory slugs in factory barrels However a solid slug that is larger than the inside of the choke could have results you would not LIKE when used
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  • callktulucallktulu Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
    most shot gun slug are hollow base so they can be used with factory slugs in factory barrels However a solid slug that is larger than the inside of the choke could have results you would not LIKE when used

    That's what I figured, so how do I know?
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  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The old chokes are fine. Just set the choke on CYL and it won't hurt a thing.

    I don't care much for the old Cutts Compensators, but the little choke you're talking about is great. If people were smarter, they wouldn't turn their noses up at them.
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  • callktulucallktulu Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hence, the reason I asked.... [;)]
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  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The original lead rifled slugs shoot safely thru adjustable chokes. They are soft lead and easily swage up or down to fill the bore. Testing has shown they usually shoot more accurately from a cylinder to modified choke setting. The newer sabot slugs are for a rifled barrel with no choke constriction.
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  • Aztngundoc22Aztngundoc22 Member Posts: 2,314 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    OK :

    Crank down ( tighten ) the choke all the way down : shoot a bunch of slugs : now you wont have to woryy bout the 'choke' , it will be gone

    Have seen this a many times !!!

    Thats the reason ( as a 'Smith" ) : I say DONT !!!

    But its your say on this !!!!

    Guess I will get some flack over this ??????

    Thanks & Good Luck !!!
    The more people I meet : The more I like my Dog :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:


    I Grew Old Too Fast (And Smart Too damn Slow !!!) !!! :o :?
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  • callktulucallktulu Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    So which is it? Do it or don't? You're sending mixed messages...
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are several kinds of shotgun slugs but for all practical purposes there are only two kinds of store bought shotgun slugs, the Foster and the Sabot.

    For a smoothbore shotgun you are interested in the Foster slugs, AKA "rifled" slugs. A smoothbore will handle the Sabot slugs just fine, but you are paying the big bucks for extra accuracy you ain't getting.

    The Foster slug is referred to as a "rifled" slug because it has lands and grooves similar to rifling. A lot of people, maybe most, think the "rifling" on a Foster slug is to give spin to the slug. That ain't the case. The rifling on a Foster slug is there so the slug can contract to the size of the choke of the shotgun, making it safe to shoot through any choke, including FULL choke.

    What causes the Foster slug to fly straight and true, in theory at least, is the shape and hollow base of the slug, shifting most of the weight forward making it fly straight much like a shuttlecock in a badminton game.

    The Sabot slugs are worth the money for use in a rifled shotgun barrel but for a smoothbore stick with the Foster slugs.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • Mark GMark G Member Posts: 1,680 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have an original Mossberg 185K-B General instruction sheet. It reads as follows:

    "Rifled slugs and buckshot can be used in the C-LECT CHOKE at any setting. For best results, we recommend that it be set at FULL CYLINDER."

    For the external screw on chokes I would recommend the IC choke. I can take a picture of the instruction sheet and text or email it if anyone is interested.
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  • callktulucallktulu Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
    There are several kinds of shotgun slugs but for all practical purposes there are only two kinds of store bought shotgun slugs, the Foster and the Sabot.

    For a smoothbore shotgun you are interested in the Foster slugs, AKA "rifled" slugs. A smoothbore will handle the Sabot slugs just fine, but you are paying the big bucks for extra accuracy you ain't getting.

    The Foster slug is referred to as a "rifled" slug because it has lands and grooves similar to rifling. A lot of people, maybe most, think the "rifling" on a Foster slug is to give spin to the slug. That ain't the case. The rifling on a Foster slug is there so the slug can contract to the size of the choke of the shotgun, making it safe to shoot through any choke, including FULL choke.

    What causes the Foster slug to fly straight and true, in theory at least, is the shape and hollow base of the slug, shifting most of the weight forward making it fly straight much like a shuttlecock in a badminton game.

    The Sabot slugs are worth the money for use in a rifled shotgun barrel but for a smoothbore stick with the Foster slugs.



    WOW! [:0] That's awesome info, thanks for that! Very cool school lesson there![8D]
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    just for the sake of this discussion I just took the 'slug'(foster type) out of a federal 12 ga. and measured it with a good micrometer.............. .700", it will 'fall' through most full choke barrels
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Posted in case anybody is interested:

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    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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