May 05, 2014
By David Hart
A generation ago, there was no such thing as a slug gun. Hunters simply used what they had. It might have been a Remington , Browning or some other brand, but they all had at least a few things in common: a slick barrel, single front bead and a fixed choke that hurled a chunk of lead as accurately as a mortar.
Times have certainly changed. Gun manufacturers aren't just making shotguns for deer hunters . They are building specialized guns with rifled barrels, adjustable sights, scope mounts and a host of other features designed just for deer hunting. Modern slug guns are deadly accurate out to ranges unheard of a generation ago.
Dropping a buck at 200 yards isn't just possible — it's a chip shot for capable shooters with a solid rest and a solid slug gun. Check out these great slug guns for 2014.
Benelli SBE II Benelli's Super Black Eagle II is a favorite among waterfowlers and turkey hunters, and the slug version is certainly a popular one among hardcore deer hunters, too. One look and it's easy to see that the SBEII is packed with features. The inertia-driven action handles everything from light target loads to the heaviest 3-inch slugs without a hiccup...and without constant maintenance.
The gun is fitted with Benelli's Comfortech recoil pad, which reduces felt recoil by up to 48 percent. The slug version includes a 24-inch rifled barrel and is drilled and tapped to accept a Weaver-style base. The barrel also has adjustable rifle sights. The SBEII slug gun is available in black synthetic or Realtree APG.
Price: $ 1,899
Browning BPS Rifled Deer Left-handed hunters don't have many gun choices. They have even fewer slug gun options.
Browning's BPS solves that left-right action dilemma by incorporating a top-tang safety and a bottom ejection port. No more fumbling for the safety when a giant buck walks under your stand, and no more sight interference from ejecting shells.
The BPS isn't just for lefties, though. It comes with a rifled, thick-walled 22-inch barrel, a cantilever scope mount and is available in Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity with a synthetic stock or blued metal and satin finish walnut stock. The BPS Rifled Deer model is also available in 12 and 20 gauge.
Price: $ 829
H&R Ultra Slug Hunter You want a bare-bones shotgun that goes 'boom ' when you pull the trigger? Look no further than the
H&R Ultra Slug Hunter . It may not be the prettiest gun in your safe, but it just may be the one that puts more meat in your freezer than any other gun you own. The single-shot, break-open is available in 12 and 20 gauge.
The 12 gauge comes with a 24-inch Ultragon rifled barrel; the 20 gauge has a 22-inch rifled barrel. Both versions come with a ventilated recoil pad, sling swivels and a nylon sling. The gun is drilled and tapped for a scope base. It's one of the most inexpensive deer guns, too.
Price: $ 290.81
Ithaca Deerslayer III Ithaca shotguns have been around since John Browning introduced the Model 37 back in 1937. The company has undergone some changes since then, but the quality remains the same. Built on the famous Model 37 pump action, the
Deerslayer III has a fluted, heavy-walled rifled barrel for pinpoint accuracy and a raised comb walnut stock to help get on target faster.
The receiver is machined from a solid block of steel and has a handsome drop-tine buck engraved on the side. The DS III is available in 12 and 20 gauges and with an optional thumb-hold stock. Both come with a Pachmayer recoil pad, a Weaver base pre-installed and a 4 to 6-pound trigger pull.
Price: $ 1,350
Mossberg Flex 500 Slug Gun There's no question
Mossberg hit a home run when they developed the FLEX System of interchangeable stocks with the Tool-less Locking System. It allows shooters to switch stocks, forearms and recoil pads quickly and without a single tool, turning one gun into a multi-function firearm on the spot. The
FLEX 500 Slug Gun is part of the line-up, but by itself it's an impressive pump shotgun.
It's built on Mossberg's reliable 500 pump action, which includes twin action bars and an anodized aluminum receiver. It comes with a trigger adjustable from 3 to 7 pounds, a top tang safety, a cantilever scope mount, a 24-inch rifled and ported barrel and a four-position adjustable, dual-comb FLEX stock for a perfect fit.
Price: $ 854
Remington 11-87 Sportsman Shurshot Camo Cantilever Pistol-grip stocks may not look like your grandpa's shotgun and they may not be suitable to every situation. However, they sure are comfortable. Combine that stock with the quality, reliability and accuracy of
Remington's 11-87 autoloader and you've got a deer killin' machine.
It's equipped with a rifled 21-inch barrel, a cantilever scope mount, a synthetic Shurshot ambidextrous stock wrapped in Realtree Hardwoods HD camo and molded-in sling swivel studs. The stock is finished with a SuperCell recoil pad to take the bite out of even the heaviest slug loads.
Price: $ 1,012
Remington 870 Express Shurshot Synthetic Cantilever 20-Gauge There's little doubt why the 870 is America's best-selling shotgun. It's built with
Remington's high standards that have helped put game on the table for generations. The
Shurshot Synthetic Cantilever continues that tradition with a no-frills deer gun that gets the job done for hunters on a budget.
The 20-gauge is also the perfect slug gun for young or small-framed shooters. It comes with a fast-swinging 18 1/2-inch rifled barrel and Remington's Shurshot ambidextrous synthetic pistol-grip stock for a solid hold. It also includes a cantilevered scope mount.
Price: $ 571
Savage 212 Bolt-action shotguns may not be very popular, but they are certainly effective and accurate. The
Savage 212 surely fits both descriptions. It comes with a rifled 22-inch barrel, a 2-shot detachable box magazine and either a black or camo synthetic stock.
It also includes Savage's patented Accutrigger system, which is designed for maximum safety while providing a crisp, light pull. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope base and the gun weighs 7.45 pounds.
Price: $ 664
Weatherby PA-08 Combo It might be tough to drop a pile of money on a single-purpose gun with the economy still limping along.
Weatherby , however, gives you two guns for the price of one. OK, make that an extra barrel, but that effectively turns a slug gun into an upland shotgun with a simple barrel change.
The
PA-08 combo includes a 24-inch rifled slug barrel complete with a cantilevered scope mount, a smoothbore barrel and three choke tubes. It's available with a synthetic or wood stock. Both versions include swivel studs, a drop-out trigger system for easy cleaning, a chrome-plated bolt and chrome-lined barrels.
Price: $ 549
Winchester SX3 Cantilever Buck Winchester's SX3 could be the best value in a semi-auto shotgun. It's a step or two above the least-expensive models, but it won't cost you a paycheck like some of the high-end auto-loaders. Even better, it's not just reliable, it's a joy to shoot. The
SX3 Cantilever Buck is even more fun when you've got a whitetail in the adjustable Truglo fiber optic iron sights.
It also comes with a Weaver-style cantilever scope rail and a 22-inch rifled barrel for slug-shooting accuracy. The textured black synthetic stock ensures a solid grip in all weather conditions and the Inflex Technology recoil pad takes the punch out of the heaviest slugs. It's available in 12 and 20 gauges.
Price: $ 1,149.99
