I have an 870 with a rifled barrel that shoots Remington Buckhammer slugs into a nice group unfortunately they are no longer made. I tried a few sabot type from Winchester, Remington, etc. and got sub-par accuracy. What works for you?

I have not been able to hunt deer for about 5 years now because of my work situation ( long hours and very little time off ). I live in a shotgun-only area as I presume you do as well.

Back when I was able to hunt deer, I eventually selected an H&R single shot with a fully rifled barrel that was designed around sabot slugs. When I found I got excellent accuracy from Remington solid copper slugs, I began to use them exclusively. A favorite gun shop had an end-of-the-season sale one year and I bought a life-time supply. With any decent shot placement at all, these will drop a deer in its tracks.

Having said all that, I was intrigued by Winchester's recent 20 gauge slugs that (they claim) offer almost rifle-like performance. In your shoes, I would sure investigate what similar products they have in 12 gauge, or even look into the purchase of a new or used 20 (if of course you have the money for another gun).

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You're shy a few manners.

I've seen good results with Brenneke slugs.

I use Federal Hydra Shok Sabot Slugs and can put 5 of 5 on a paper plate at 100 yards out of my Mossberg 590.

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- Change it back -

Hornady SST shoot like a rifle for me in my 12ga but I've had mixed results in their stopping ability. I have dropped deer with them and also have had "perfect" shots and watched the deer prance away never to be seen again. Ok maybe not "perfect" shots, but really good shots never the less...They do shoot good though.

I bought 10 boxes of buckhammers when a local store was getting rid of them. I have heard copper solids shoot good.

I've tried all the $3+ per Sabot slugs made, my rifled barrel Mossberg shoots those cheap Remington Sluggers the best.

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Sure you did

Federal Hydra Shoks shoot with accuracy out to 80 yards in my 870 with rifled barrel.

My friend (R.I.P. Sonny) had a scope mounted at Dick's Sporting Goods three years ago on his Moss. 500. He was able to hit the same hole at 40 yards with every round. Just the scope that they mounted was bore sighted about three feet high.
We kept telling him he was good while he kept insisting he wasn't hitting the paper. The Hydra Shoks worked for him too, all four boxes.

A few years ago I bought my Dad a rifled 870 to hunt with and tried several brands of saboted slugs to find which grouped best. The Lightfield EXP were the best. I just looked and they are available on the web.

I'm very satisfied with the Hornady SST sabots. I'm shooting probably 3" groups at 100yds out of a Mossy 500 w/ rifled barrel. The shots were completely flat when I moved from 50yds to 100yds when sighting in. Can't beat that when you're chucking a 300gr projectile downrange.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen a deer yet to describe any stopping power... Darn elusive creatures...