[Mihajlo Simsic]

Hello, I've had some troubles recently regarding slug accuracy. I have a benelli Supernova with a muzzleloader bushnell trophy scope. I can only seem to get at best 5" groups at 100 yards (shot from a lead sled). Even though I am using 2 3/4" Federal premium sabot slugs, the Supernova also comes with a rifled barrel (ofc). Are there any better suggestions to improve these results? I also saw a Savage 212, a bolt action 12ga slug gun. I want to know if anyone has any answers on the accuracy that gun has with what loads. Thanks!

 

[Sniper_M-14]

I used to use BRI saboted slugs I think Winchester bought them up. They gave me 4-5" groups with a smooth bore slug barrel Mossberg 500. I would take one apart and slug the barrel see how well they fit see how much rifling is engaging the sabot. They should fit tightly but not so tight you need a hammer to drive them through. If they fall through you might as well buy foster style slugs. And try a few other brands your shotgun might not like them.

 

[M1AFL]

IMHO, There is no shame with 5" groups at a 100 yards from just about any shotgun going. I had a Remington 870 with a fully rifled barrel that had a mounted 4X scope on it, it would shoot 5" groups when I did my part and I was thrilled to get those kind of groups.

Where I used to hunt in Western NY, I did not usually have a shot over a 100 yards anyway, I was always kind of hesitant to shoot past that distance for fear of wounding the deer.

It did not like all types of sabot slugs, but it liked the Federal lead sabots and the Remington Solid Copper rounds.

As good as a Benelli is, it is not a rifle.

 

[russmerle]

As RSO I had the pleasure of having a fellow shoot his Savage 220 slug gun at 50 yd. his rounds were all touching at 50. Not sure if that helps but they are quality guns.

 

[Instructor]

I tend to agree with a 5" group being good at 100yds. We are always looking for better accuracy, but for a hunting gun, deer gun, etc. that will get the job done. JMO

 

[Wasted ammo]

If distance and accuracy are your goal get a 20 not a 12.

 

[Redneck Yankee]

Your gun doesn't like the ammo. 5" groups from an expensive rifle like that just don't cut it. Buy a box of anything you can get your hands on for testing. You should be able to find something to get you down to 3".

I have an H&R break open shotgun. I call it my Howitzer because it's a 12 gauge rifled barrel built from a 10 gauge barrel, or it at least seems that way. Heavy. Weaver 1x-3x scope. Cost at the time was a couple hundred bucks.

I haven't used it in a long time, but I found ammo that gave me consistent 1.5"+/- groups at 100 yards. Some other ammo was terrible. It just goes to show that expensive doesn't always mean accurate.

I don't think I would ever take a hunting shot at 100 yards with a shotgun simply because you're getting to a range that range estimation is critical. All my shots are generally at the thirty yard max anyway. (+/-).

I once met a guy looking for a deer he swore he hit at what he said was somewhere around the 150 yard range. Oh boy, was he bragging about his custom, super accurate gun he paid big bucks for. He didn't know for sure the exact range. If his estimation was off by ten yards- he missed.

Happy hunting!

 

[Willard]

Hello, I've had some troubles recently regarding slug accuracy. I have a benelli Supernova with a muzzleloader bushnell trophy scope. I can only seem to get at best 5" groups at 100 yards (shot from a lead sled). Even though I am using 2 3/4" Federal premium sabot slugs, the Supernova also comes with a rifled barrel (ofc). Are there any better suggestions to improve these results? I also saw a Savage 212, a bolt action 12ga slug gun. I want to know if anyone has any answers on the accuracy that gun has with what loads. Thanks!

I may be a little confused, are you saying your Benelli has a rifled barrel, or has one available? If the barrel isn't rifled, or has a rifled choke, a sabot isn't going to get any spin to stabilize. By the same token as some others have mentioned, you may need to try some other offerings, as far as different brand or type of sabot. Just as rifling twists rates can have an effect on which weight or bearing surface length is more accurate in a rifle, can also influence a rifled shotgun bore, or even a rifled choke. With the use of a scope, for a consistent aiming point, a 5" group at 100 yards seems a little poor to me. That's more what you would expect from a smooth bore with a Forster style slug.

If your shotgun HAS a rifled bore, try some other offerings, if smooth bore, get Forster style slugs.

Good Luck, in getting it figured out before next hunting season!