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Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3089
11/11/2013 05:12 AM
11/11/2013 05:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 390
Shelby County Indiana
glad2hunt Offline OP
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glad2hunt  Offline OP
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Shelby County Indiana
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!

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3090
11/11/2013 05:25 AM
11/11/2013 05:25 AM
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Parrot Head Offline
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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.

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3091
11/11/2013 05:28 AM
11/11/2013 05:28 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,166
Hamilton County
DFA Offline
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DFA  Offline
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Hamilton County
Cant go wrong with Lightfields in that setup - try the 3"


Consistent luck is nothing more than hard work and preparation.
Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3092
11/11/2013 05:31 AM
11/11/2013 05:31 AM
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Parrot Head Offline
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When I first go it I tried them all including those. Even the 2 3/4 Remingtons would not pattern.

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3093
11/11/2013 05:39 AM
11/11/2013 05:39 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,166
Hamilton County
DFA Offline
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DFA  Offline
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Hamilton County
For sure guns like dif loads! Can get exp finding what yours likes


Consistent luck is nothing more than hard work and preparation.
Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3094
11/11/2013 05:40 AM
11/11/2013 05:40 AM
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Parrot Head Offline
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Parrot Head  Offline
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I know I was trying some of those others an they were not even hitting the paper. Amazing how diff they are.

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3095
11/11/2013 05:58 AM
11/11/2013 05:58 AM
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Bartholomew County
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powderfinger Offline
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try the winchester partition golds. my 20ga 500 shoots them well and the performance on deer is excellent.

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3096
11/11/2013 06:26 AM
11/11/2013 06:26 AM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,807
Montgomery County
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76chevy Offline
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76chevy  Offline
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yes, lightfields.


Quote
Originally posted by DFA:
Cant go wrong with Lightfields in that setup - try the 3"

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3097
11/11/2013 07:19 AM
11/11/2013 07:19 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
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aj Offline
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Lightfields and copper solids do well in my 12 gauge

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3098
11/11/2013 08:55 AM
11/11/2013 08:55 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,651
Indiana
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Jeff Valovich Offline
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Jeff Valovich  Offline
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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.....


"Liberalism is a mental disorder"
Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3099
11/11/2013 10:07 AM
11/11/2013 10:07 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 390
Shelby County Indiana
glad2hunt Offline OP
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glad2hunt  Offline OP
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Shelby County Indiana
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

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3100
11/11/2013 01:14 PM
11/11/2013 01:14 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 115
S.W.Indiana
PoseyCoHunter Offline
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S.W.Indiana
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

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3101
11/11/2013 02:05 PM
11/11/2013 02:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,338
John Scifres Offline
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John Scifres  Offline
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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.

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3102
11/11/2013 03:38 PM
11/11/2013 03:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 953
Lafayette, IN USA
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10point Offline
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10point  Offline
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Lafayette, IN USA
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.

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3103
11/12/2013 08:39 AM
11/12/2013 08:39 AM
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Parrot Head Offline
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I always get my sluges at Ables Ammo.

Re: Switching to 20-gauge this year. #3104
11/12/2013 02:10 PM
11/12/2013 02:10 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 421
Columbus
HooterHunter Offline
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HooterHunter  Offline
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Columbus
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.


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