slugs or buck shot

[HANDGUNNER]

The only deer I ever hit and lost was hit with a 12 gauge (foster type,) slug. I sat on the edge of a small field and took a shot that turned out to be 125-130 yards away. Stupid shot and I knew better. The deer ran into a swamp and I never found it.

You may get that kind of range with a sabot, but not with the old foster type slug. Plus I never sighted in at that range. The point being both slugs and buckshot have their limitations and as a responsible hunter you gotta stay within.

By the way that deer was hit and ran right to left, toward and past me, getting closer and closer. I missed with two more slugs as it ran by me. I wish I had buckshot for those last two shots.

[12ga]

Model 70, if this place you found is in CA, you won't have to worry about a choice. You get one or the other. They tell you what you can use, with no choice left to you. Slugs are required in most of the state except for any area where they are "locally" prohibited.

Check the Methods section of the Mammals hand book from F&G. It's Section 363 or something like that. Don't have my book in reach right now.

In those areas you can use 00 or 000 buckshot but not slugs. As far as I can find out, those areas restricting slugs are not listed so you have to check locally. I have heard. from a BIL, of an area down around San Diego that restricts the use of slugs.

Whacky CA laws aside, I vote for slugs. I've used both and harvested deer with both. Slugs have proved to be more effective for me. I'm 74 and took my first deer at the age of ten. in 1941, and used buckshot to collect a smallish Texas fork-horn.

I've fired many slugs from full choke shotguns with no damage to the gun. In fact, I prefer a 12 gauge with I/C or Modified choke as I've found them to give better groups than Cyl Bore barrels.

I live about 65 miles south-east of you, in Amador County.

Good Luck on your hunt!

12 Ga

[wrenchman]

If you have a smoth bore stay with the foster styl slug and as goodolboy said if you want to youse buck shot get to know how your gun will shoot it.
My 870 shoots a better pattern with a mod chock and the same seems to go with my 1187 i have been told it is becouse i am youseing copper plated beffered shot by winchester.

[wrenchman]

Here are some pics first one are two deer that were taken open morn both were shot over 100 yards the second is a doe taken
3rd day with buck shot at about 20 yards

[wrenchman]

buck shot