44 mag vs 20 ga slug

A slug out of a 20 gauge is hard to top for power, only a 12 gauge maybe.

I have shot deer with my 870 and 1 oz slugs at 120 yards and that's with just a bird bead on the front.

Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

The boy shot an antelope once with his 12 and a slug well over a hundred yards. Hunting antelope spot and stock with a slug is very challenging.

Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

There is no situation where I would ever choose a shotgun slug over a centerfire rifle...ever! Retained downrange energy and accuracy, even from a 44mag, is far better than a shotgun. Shotguns are for birds and you will never convince me otherwise. 444, 450, 45-70 even the new 350 legend are all excellent choices with lots of energy. You can push a 240-350gr slug pretty hard in a Marlin rifle! Now, I know law enforcement uses shotguns, lots of family members in LE and even a few federal agents, buckshot is used mostly but the speed of a follow up shot in a pump shotgun is hard to match and at household/shoot out ranges a 12ga is a formidably weapon. But, one story a good friend of mine told me (career FBI agent) shot a guy in the chest with 12ga 00buck, it was winter time and the bad guy had heavy clothes/coat on. The lead buckshot balled up in the guys coat and did not break the skin. Knock him down, yes, detain him, yes, but did not draw blood. Try that with a 44mag? At 30yds? dead bad guy. I understand buckshot is different than a slug, but still a solid chunk of lead...no thanks, I'll take my 450 Marlin ANYDAY OF THE WEEK!!

Big variation in available loads for the 300BLK, many just not good for hunting deer. well below 30-30. It is a minimal cartridge and it is usually in a MSR. MSR and autoloading rifles geneally do not promote accuracy shooting by hunters on game. So no surprise that you see more injured deer.

“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

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BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 12971	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 44 mag vs 20 ga slug Posted: 11 December 2021 at 11:18
	As per another post, where I live has just changed from a'shotgun only' to a allowed rifle with straight walled cases. So I have a single shot 20 ga that I use with slugs, and that works. But now I also have 44 magnum, 357, 41 mag and 375 firearms that are now legal. Any value in changing?????
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8578	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 December 2021 at 13:07
	A slug out of a 20 gauge is hard to top for power, only a 12 gauge maybe. I have shot deer with my 870 and 1 oz slugs at 120 yards and that's with just a bird bead on the front.
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 12971	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 December 2021 at 13:15
	Got a 2x scope on the 20 ga. All of the deer I've killed with it have been under 60 yards, more that enough power. But never had a shotgun that was as accurate as a rifle. My 375 pistol has taken 5 or so deer out to 140+ yds Remember I hunt places where is can be near impossible to find a deer that runs off 125 yard and dies. just thick tree/brush cover.
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8578	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 December 2021 at 14:01
	The boy shot an antelope once with his 12 and a slug well over a hundred yards. Hunting antelope spot and stock with a slug is very challenging.
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 12971	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 December 2021 at 14:44
	I do double lung shots on deer with my 20ga. full penetration, lots of blood in the now, they go 50 yards, die in stride.
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”

MapleHill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Joined: 01 January 2016 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 623	Post Options Post Reply Quote MapleHill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 December 2021 at 17:44
	There is no situation where I would ever choose a shotgun slug over a centerfire rifle...ever! Retained downrange energy and accuracy, even from a 44mag, is far better than a shotgun. Shotguns are for birds and you will never convince me otherwise. 444, 450, 45-70 even the new 350 legend are all excellent choices with lots of energy. You can push a 240-350gr slug pretty hard in a Marlin rifle! Now, I know law enforcement uses shotguns, lots of family members in LE and even a few federal agents, buckshot is used mostly but the speed of a follow up shot in a pump shotgun is hard to match and at household/shoot out ranges a 12ga is a formidably weapon. But, one story a good friend of mine told me (career FBI agent) shot a guy in the chest with 12ga 00buck, it was winter time and the bad guy had heavy clothes/coat on. The lead buckshot balled up in the guys coat and did not break the skin. Knock him down, yes, detain him, yes, but did not draw blood. Try that with a 44mag? At 30yds? dead bad guy. I understand buckshot is different than a slug, but still a solid chunk of lead...no thanks, I'll take my 450 Marlin ANYDAY OF THE WEEK!!

deaddog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA The Flying Gun Joined: 23 April 2004 Location: Svalbard Status: Offline Points: 1524	Post Options Post Reply Quote deaddog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 December 2021 at 20:31
	I have seen a lot more wounded deer the last few years with the advent of the .300 Blackout. Slugs have a purpose and a range. Problems start when you try to exceed their effective range.
	Endeavor to persevere.

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 12971	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 December 2021 at 22:40
	Big variation in available loads for the 300BLK, many just not good for hunting deer. well below 30-30. It is a minimal cartridge and it is usually in a MSR. MSR and autoloading rifles geneally do not promote accuracy shooting by hunters on game. So no surprise that you see more injured deer.
	“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”