Switching to 20-gauge this year.

This will be the first year that i have ever hunted with a 20-gauge. I have hunted hard in the past with my muzzy and feel that this year, I need to mix things up a bit.

The main reason is due to the draw-hunts (state park) and my desire to have a repeating weapon. Last year, I could have taken my state-park limit if I were able to reload more quickly. Outside this realm, I am totally fine with one-shot...make it your best approach.

That stated, I am new (again) to this shotgunning deer concept and MUCH has changed since the last time I shot a slug out of a bb-shooter.

My setup is a 1977 (my birth-year) Mossberg 500 in mint shape with a brand new rifled barrel/scope.

What round will give me the farthest range, with the tightest pattern? I found a few links out there online which tell of good rounds, but most are being shot out of TC encore setups... not a pump poor man's rig.

Your suggestion is greatly appreciated!

I made the switch to the Savage 220F 3 years ago. It is a 200 yard gun. I have taken two deer at 220 yards with it. It is dead on at 200 yards. The problem is finding shells. I have been looking for Remington 3 inch accutip for a 8 months. They will not get any in until Feb. Luckily I bought 10 boxes 2 years ago.

Cant go wrong with Lightfields in that setup - try the 3"

When I first go it I tried them all including those. Even the 2 3/4 Remingtons would not pattern.

For sure guns like dif loads! Can get exp finding what yours likes

I know I was trying some of those others an they were not even hitting the paper. Amazing how diff they are.

try the winchester partition golds. my 20ga 500 shoots them well and the performance on deer is excellent.

yes, lightfields.

Lightfields and copper solids do well in my 12 gauge

You have to try different slugs to see what groups the best....my Mossberg/cantilever rifled bbl likes the Platinum tip Winchester's, however, Winchester quit making them(figures)....now they have "Dual Bond" which is a 385 gr slug where the Platinum's were 400 gr...so, I guess I'll go back to the regular Win BRI Sabots 2 3/4"(they are cheaper too, $9.99 a box as compared to $12-13 for the high velocity stuff)....Ive never shot 3 inch slugs and I wont either....I like my shoulder way to much and there isnt much of a velocity gain anyways with 3 inchers....if you want velocity, there are plenty in 2 3/4" that are 1900fps.....

Jeff-- that is what I am looking for (suggestion for rounds like the WIN BRI) = a suggestion for an affordable round.

I bought some Remington coppers that were like $17 per box..plus two other boxes. Some folks said stay away from Hornady in 20-gauge

Others, I will try the lighfields too. I am hoping for some decent groupings like several folks have been getting in recent reports.

thanks

Remington Premier Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded 2-3/4" Sabot Slug is what I shoot but I use the 12 ga.
It is the flattest shooting slug I have found, Remington recommends that you zero your gun at 150 yds with these slugs but a 200yd shot is no problem.
Here are a few links to them online.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/56229

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=414784

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Remington-Core-Lokt-Ultra-Bonded-Sabot-Slugs/705475.uts

http://www.hyattgunstore.com/reming...a-2-3-4-5-8-oz-copper-slug-5-rounds.html

Or you could just bring another loaded Muzzy to have a back-up shot........er if you can get the smoke to clear fast enough from the first shot. LOL

I just got my 20 gauge Mossi dialed in with the Federal Fusion Sabots. They work really nice in mine. I paid about $9 for the box of 5.

I got my 20 gauge mossy dialed in with the new federal vital shok trophy copper in 2 3/4 and now can't find any except for the 3 inch. I could switch to 3 inch but don't have time to get it sighted in before the weekend so I guess I'm using the muzzleloader.

I always get my sluges at Ables Ammo.

10 pt. I think you will be shocked at how they are still on just tighter groups at distance. I had the same thing happen and wish i was shooting the 3inches all along. shoot 2 and i would put money they are dead on at 50 and dead on at 100. will shoot real flat.