Slugs and Choke Size

[RossA]

Obviously, you can use shotshells in any size choke because the small pellets will constrict to the size of the choke.
But what about slugs that are a solid piece of lead? Is there a certain size "tight" choke which is too small to shoot a slug through?

[Jusme]

I never shoot slugs through anything besides a dedicated slug barrel, or my open cylinder 18-1/2" barrel. Someone else may know, what the tightest choke is for slugs, Since the slug is not actually the full diameter of the barrel, I don't think it matters, but I can't say for sure.

[puma guy]

Smooth bore barrel w/ Improved Cylinder or Cylinder for Rifled slugs. For Sabot slugs a rifled barrel is optimum or at least use a rifled tube. Rifled slugs in a rifled barrel is not recommended.

[RossA]

I don't have a dedicated slug gun (or interchangeable rifled slug barrel). I like the versatility of having a shotgun that can shoot both buckshot and slugs. I realize that slugs through a smoothbore won't be the most accurate, but should be more than good enough for what I need. Just wondering about the safety of shooting slugs through various chokes in case I am looking at another shotgun in the future. Don't want to buy a gun that can't do both.

[The Annoyed Man]

It seems like most personal defense shotguns are sold without a changeable choke system anyway, and usually have either a cylinder or improved cylinder choke build into the muzzle. My 10" Mossberg 590A1 is cylinder bore. The 18" Stevens 350 I used to own was the same.

[stroo]

I have shot slugs through my 20 gauge full choke without any problems.

[RossA]

Thanks for the replies. I figured I was pretty safe, but I didn't want to end up as a youtube video!

[Jusme]

Thanks for the replies. I figured I was pretty safe, but I didn't want to end up as a youtube video!

I was looking at this topic on several web-sites after seeing your original post, there is some debate about shooting slugs through a full choke, but I never saw anything showing any damage caused, or catastrophic failures because of it.

Here is a video explaining the differences in chokes with slugs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjng0wUHvjQ

[puma guy]

Like Sabot slug Brenneke slugs are designed to be shot in rifled barrels aren't recommended to be shot in anything other than cylinder bore per the manufacturer. I don't know if any barrel damage would occur if shot in a full choke, but optimum performance would surely be affected. Foster slugs were designed for unrifled barrels, since there weren't any when they came out and were probably shot with every choke available. They have a hollow base and may or may not have grooves molded into them. The Foster slug utilizes the "shuttle cock" theory to maintain stability. While they may look like reverse rifling the groves serve to reduce contact to reduces drag which would slow it and impart little if any spin.

EDITED. I went back to the Brenneke USA website and reread the admonition regarding their slugs being shot in choked barrels. The reference was for their Brenneke Magnum Gold and Magnum Gold Crush and brass Super Sabot slugs. Their other slugs can be used in any choke and per their FAQ the fins allow lead to be squeezed down in between to avoid damaging a barrel. Sorry about the confusion There's some interesting information on the flight path of their slugs in the FAQ section.

When the slug leaves the barrel does it have a different flight path other then a straight plane?
Yes, once the slugs leaves the muzzle of the shotgun it will rise - - flying somewhat like an arrow. Depending on the slug it may be as much as 1.3 inches high at 50 yards and then at 75 yards the law of gravity begins to take place and the slug will start to drop. Please refer to the ballistics information for each slug found in the individual Product Sheets.

also.
http://www.brennekeusa.com/cms/h_faq.html

[remington79]

This is for a smooth barrel non-rifled slug barrel. You will need to use an Improved Cylinder choke. Any of the tighter chokes will have too much constriction. I don't know what type of negative long term effects can occur from using a tighter choke but I do know a tighter choke will not be as accurate.

My friend and I have the same exact shotgun with the exception of the barrel length. His is a 28" and mine is a 24". Other than that everything is the same. We were out shooting some of those rifled Federal slugs. We were shooting about 40 yards. I was getting consistent hits. When ever he shot he either missed completely or he would just hit the edge of the stump. This was a 6' tall by about 3' wide stump. He was wondering what it could be and I asked him to check his choke tube. I had my Improved Cylinder in. He had a Modified in his. As soon as he replaced it with an Improved Cylinder his problems stopped.

[puma guy]

This is for a smooth barrel non-rifled slug barrel. You will need to use an Improved Cylinder choke. Any of the tighter chokes will have too much constriction. I don't know what type of negative long term effects can occur from using a tighter choke but I do know a tighter choke will not be as accurate.

My friend and I have the same exact shotgun with the exception of the barrel length. His is a 28" and mine is a 24". Other than that everything is the same. We were out shooting some of those rifled Federal slugs. We were shooting about 40 yards. I was getting consistent hits. When ever he shot he either missed completely or he would just hit the edge of the stump. This was a 6' tall by about 3' wide stump. He was wondering what it could be and I asked him to check his choke tube. I had my Improved Cylinder in. He had a Modified in his. As soon as he replaced it with an Improved Cylinder his problems stopped.

Remington recommends IC for their slugs.

[remington79]

We were using Mossburg 500s with Federal rifled slugs.

[The Annoyed Man]

We were using Mossburg 500s with Federal rifled slugs.

I've seen video of a Mossberg 590A1 tactical shotgun hitting accurately with slugs at over 100 yards. My 590A1 is a cylinder bore choke. I don't recall what manufacturer's slugs were being used.