Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Which slugs for my NEF?

I have an NEF Pardner Tracker II that I finally have an excuse to use. I drew a deer tag in a bow/shotgun only zone.

I have tried a couple different slugs through it with dismal results.

Before I go out and start buying a bunch of different loads to try, any advice?

I heard or read that some slug guns may shoot great with one load and very poorly with another. I'm hoping to narrow my search a bit before I get started.

Thanks Matt

There isn't that many different types of slugs for shotguns - when you compare that to centerfire rifles.. There's only about 4-6 brands.. One of them might do the trick - you just have to buy a few and test 'em out..

Is the Tracker II rifled?I think it is.If so, the NEF's generally do best with the slower sabot rounds,like Remington Copper Solids, or Winchester BRI sabots.You can try Winchester Platinum Tips as well.The really speedy sabot rounds generally do better with a faster twist. You could also look at Remington Buckhammers.Federal TruBalls have shot very well out of several rifled barrels I've tried, even though they are designed for smoothbores.

Also,use sandbags when benchresting, and be very consistent how you rest your gun.Slug guns are really touchy about that.Anymore,I usually sight in and check zero from prone, as it is more consistent than shooting of the bench, although it is NOT fun!

There are about 6 major mftrs with a variety of slugs in their lines, so it can get expensive.

If it is rifled barrel, start with the lightfields, then Federal, winchester and Remington in that order.

If shots are limited to 100 yds or so, then 2 3/4 slug is the way to go. Most 3" slugs are slobber knockers and do not shoot as well anyway.

I would set it for 2" high at 50, which should be about dead on a 75 or so and then about 3-4 low at 100 depending on the slug. Test to check them out.

Generally 2-3 shots max will show if it will group. Works best if two of you can "split" a box to find what shoots in your guns.

BH

Yes slug barrels are finicky. I'm not sure what type you're using.

Fosters, sabots, Brenneke slugs etc.

Hands down the Winchester has been the most consistently accurate Foster slug for me.

The Winchesters with the Nosler Partitions have grouped the best of the sabots [They are horribly expensive]. I actually haven't had that much trouble getting most sabots to shoot in my rifled barrel.

The problem is if you switch loads the point of impact will move farther than I would have expected. Up to 6 in at 100 yards in my case.


Sight in your slug gun at a distance where the slug is still supersonic. That is usually 50 yards for Foster slugs.

The Foster slugs leave lots of crap in the barrel. Clean it with a Turbo brush or some such if you go to sabots.