Hello the Campfire. I located an extra barrel for my Browning 16, that included a Poly-Choke (please dont laugh). I am thinking of setting it on "Slug" to let my 12yr old use it in deer season. I used it a few years back with Federal rifled slugs just to try it, and was NOT impressed with the penetration at 40yds. I know many modern slugs (not rifled) are oversized, but do not know which brands to avoid. Any advice? Will shooting slugs increase the chance of forearm cracking? Should I give up and loan him my .58cal muzzleloader? His Rem 870 Magnum has a full choke.
Brad

if the barrel shoots where it looks , the gun will work fine.......lack of penetration is a sometimes issue with soft foster slugs but they mostly kill well anyway

have shot some brennake slugs thru my sweet sixteen and frankly , it kicks like a mule...to much for a 12 year old IMO

if his Remington is a 20 gauge I'd have him use that reguardless of the full choke several of my hunting pards in Mn use 20 s with standard foster slugs and they have no problem killing deer

don't shoot slugs in it.....please....

I picked up the spare barrel & Poly Choke for $50...complete with vent rib. I bought it for shooting clays & "just because"...I think I will stay away from slugs. Thanks for the advice

I have bought the boys (2) 870's in 20ga. One only had 1/2 box shot thru it and is a true 20ga. The other is also v.nice (some bluing wear) but well used..20ga on a 12ga reciever w/vent rib. Both Magnums, both full choke. I think I will use the one w/vent rib and let him throw some lead thru it. Bought both for $500.

I guess I don't understand why someone would say "Don't shoot slugs through it". I have a Remington model 11, which is almost identical the the A5, and I have a polychoke on my barrel as well. I have shot Remington, Brenneke, Federal, and Winchester slugs through it without incident.
As far as accuracy, The Brennekes and Winchesters were the most accurate.....Federals did the worst, accuracy wise.

My father in law had a Sweet 16 quail gun, and my mother in law used it the first year she hunted deer with him. She wasn't 12 years old but she was about 5'2" so close enough. It worked, but she did put in an order for a .243 for the next year.

I'll make two observations .

1 Most foster type slugs are undersized and seal by expanding the hollow base similar to a hollow base wad cutter in a pistol. Thus they will work thru even a full choke w/o issue

2. The browning deer slayer auto 5s were considered to be excellent slug guns. They were nothing more than �uto 5s fitted with barrels with rifled sights. No reason your 16 can't handle slugs. I'd use the high base setting.

Foster style slugs do not expand to seal the bore, the cup on the over powder wad/gas seal prevents gases from reaching the slug. Muddy

My thoughts.

1. Lack of penetration is definitely due to poor slug construction/soft lead (ie winchester and remington). This article while for the 410 ga gives a good description. http://mcb-homis.com/deer9410/index.htm
At 40 yards a 16ga 4/5oz or 1oz slug should kill a whitetail 100% of the time if the vitals are hit. I would recommend Brenneke slugs since they are hard, accurate, and penetrate well.

2. There is no reason not to shoot slugs in that gun, none. All shotguns after 1934 I believe are built to withstand a certain max average pressure. In the case of the 16ga that is 11,500psi. So the gun if it is in decent condition will handle the pressure of ALL factory or published reload recipe loads.

3. All factory 16 ga slugs are designed to be safely used in barrel choke full (~.035) or less. In the case of the poly choke you should set it to cylinder and work up until you achieve the smallest group.

No worries with the slugs...but I'd be more worried with a 12 year old carrying my Sweet 16!

No worries with forearm cracking as long as the cap is tightened correctly.