Since I'm in shotgun only state I'm always curious about shotgun slug performance. The Encore Pro Hunter in 20ga comes with a 28" barrel and I'm curious if anyone is shooting Remmy Premier Accu-Tips or the Hornady SST's through one of these and can comment on its performance?

I shoot a T/C pro hunter in 20 gauge but shoot my own hand loaded 20 gauge slugs using the Hornady 250 gr FTX bullet.

I started hand loading my own slug ammo as the Hornady SST slugs kept shifting point of impact from one lot # to another. The pro hunter barrel has a 1/28 twist which is perfect for most 20 gauge saboted slug ammo.

Doc

So what are your results? Is it a solid 200yd gun?

I shoot the Remington green tips. my encore barrel really likes them to the point I sold my Ithaca deer slayer ll. I never shot it at 200 yards, just never felt the need as the area I hunt doesn't allow for a shot at that distance. I have killed several deer with it. with the last two, it was hard to find a blood trail as they fell on it. the others didn't move far and all have been complete pass through shots.

I had a Winchester 1300 12 ga I bought to hunt in Ohio about 18 years ago and took several deer with it but switched to the Encore 20 ga after having heart surgery for less recoil.
In 2013 I shot a nice meat buck (3 yo spike) grazing the edge of a corn field and he fell in his tracks.
I was shooting Hornady 20 ga 2 3/4" SST 250 gr sabot slug. the shot laser ranged 156 yards.
That distance is unusual for the area I hunt, I typically sight the gun in at 75 yards there and it will cut cloverleafs at that distance.
That barrel really likes Hornady SST's.

I think I want one ... lol

Not trying to hijack the thread and I have Encore's but not shotgun barrels . If you want an honest 200yd and a bit more out of a slug gun take a good look at the Savage 220. I borrowed one from a buddy for a hunt in eastern Va recently and was very impressed. I killed one at 225 yds complete pass through w/3" Accutips.

I can look for some old targets, but; I can say the limitation is more in the ammo and not the guns. These slugs are very good and it takes to 20ga high level. I feel confident that the best copper ammo can do around 3 inch groups at 100 yards an that these are solid 150 yard deer shotguns.

That accuracy translate into hitting a 5" target off a perfect bench rest, for normal mortals you can add another 3 inches of aim error at 150. You loose power to, while it does not take much to kill a deer (eventually) some accuracy is desirable to drop one quickly. This is a single shot, not like letting loose with a quick 2nd or 3rd with a pump.

I have Ithaca and H&R both shoot about the same and I would expect no more or less from TC. Certainly no less.

OK, I found some H&R bench rest 20ga targets. The Remington accutip 260 grain put 3 shots in 2.5 inches. I am sure more shots would open it up. The Hornady SST 250 grain was about 2 inches lower and put 3 shots in 3.5 inches. That is at 100 yards. Not much of a test. I set the zero at 100 yards. I am very conservative. I am sure this gun would handle a 150 yard shot.

I decided to compare:



Barrel 28"
Over all length 44"
weight 7 pounds
shots one
$892 MSRP (Buds $760, turkey)



Barrel 22"
Over all lenght 43"
weight 7 pounds
shots two
$619 MSRP (Buds $500)

The savage is shorter and same weight for $300 less and more firepower with the looks and feel of a rifle. I dont need a new gun, but the two I own are discontinued. I think if I was to start over today, the savage would be worth a look.

I have seen some pretty attractive browning bolt slug guns for someone with a TC budget. I expect it was heavier, but; a classy wood stocked and fine blued gun. I am all googled out for specs and prices.